Pet Transport Question

[dcmdon]

I love my dog, so no...not putting him in the bed of a truck.

A dog in a good crate is safer in the back of the truck than it is riding inside with you.

If you want to see what is out there, go to Facebook and go to the group Wild Bird Hunters and search on crate.

I have a RuffTuff crate. Its the most reasonably priced of the top tier of travel crates.

I am waiting on a RSI canopy from Offroad Alliance. Fingers crossed it will be in soon.

But in the mean time, when weather permits he rides in back. He loves his crate because he knows that he is being brought somewhere fun.

If its just an easy family trip he sometimes rides inside. But if he's going hiking or hunting, which will end with him a filthy mess, he rides in the crate. So to him

crate = hiking or hunting = FUN!!

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[MATADOR1]

Does anyone drive with their pets in the bed of the truck? If so, do you mind sharing pics and/or safety advice?

I bought my Gladiator last year to tow our camper and enjoy on camping trips. It’s been great but with 3 dogs and 2 kids, we always make multiple trips to the campsite and that’s become tiresome.

I think a dog in a crate with tie downs would be fine and legal.

 

[auxSwitch]

Check your local laws. For me:

" Connecticut law prohibits transporting a dog in the “open rearward compartment of the pick up truck” on a public highway unless the dog is (1) in a cage or container or (2) secured in some manner to prevent it from being thrown, falling, or jumping from the truck (CGS § 14-272b). A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $50 (CGS § 14-296). The law does not require the dog to be restrained or secured if it is inside the vehicle. "

I have a soft topper, when fully enclosed, I let them ride as is (there is a foam dog bed at the front of the truck bed. When sides of the soft topper are rolled up (I haven't run with roof collapsed yet), I secure this tether to rails and clip the dogs in (both are wearing harnesses)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S03SIP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The tethers are adjusted so there isn't enough room for them to jump out (and hang themselves)

Will try to take a pic this weekend if weather allows rolled up sides.

 

[zprovo]

We have a Dakota 283 that I strap down in the back. I used this before I got my SmartCap and it worked well for several drives from Nashville To Maine. I also got a cover for the crate for use in the winter.

 

[dcmdon]

Check your local laws. For me:

" Connecticut law prohibits transporting a dog in the “open rearward compartment of the pick up truck” on a public highway unless the dog is (1) in a cage or container or (2) secured in some manner to prevent it from being thrown, falling, or jumping from the truck (CGS § 14-272b). A violation is punishable by a fine of up to $50 (CGS § 14-296). The law does not require the dog to be restrained or secured if it is inside the vehicle. "

I have a soft topper, when fully enclosed, I let them ride as is (there is a foam dog bed at the front of the truck bed. When sides of the soft topper are rolled up (I haven't run with roof collapsed yet), I secure this tether to rails and clip the dogs in (both are wearing harnesses)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S03SIP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The tethers are adjusted so there isn't enough room for them to jump out (and hang themselves)

Will try to take a pic this weekend if weather allows rolled up sides.

Anyone who drives a dog in the back of their truck while NOT in a kennel deserves to have the same done to them. In January, in North Dakota.

Of course a quick trip around the yard / property / farm is different.

You can't compare riding in the back of a truck in a crate (safest option even safer than inside) with riding around in back while not restrained. (dangerous to the dog and others)

 

[dcmdon]

We have a Dakota 283 that I strap down in the back. I used this before I got my SmartCap and it worked well for several drives from Nashville To Maine. I also got a cover for the crate for use in the winter.

Ugh. I wanted a Dakota in Orange. But couldn't justify the extra $200 when Scheels ran a deal on the Ruffland for $190. That looks really nice.

 

[869 KPH]

@zprovo and @dcmdon - what makes the Dakota so nice? I haven't picked a crate yet but sure didn't think it would be that expensive. I will have an ARE cap too, so maybe I don't need such a nice one? I was thinking it would be a two-piece molded plastic deal.

 

[zprovo]

Ugh. I wanted a Dakota in Orange. But couldn't justify the extra $200 when Scheels ran a deal on the Ruffland for $190. That looks really nice.

I lucked out, one popped up on facebook marketplace, just before I pulled the trigger on a Orion Kennel.

 

[dcmdon]

I lucked out, one popped up on facebook marketplace, just before I pulled the trigger on a Orion Kennel.

Nice score.

 

[Dryfly24]

Does anyone drive with their pets in the bed of the truck? If so, do you mind sharing pics and/or safety advice?

I bought my Gladiator last year to tow our camper and enjoy on camping trips. It’s been great but with 3 dogs and 2 kids, we always make multiple trips to the campsite and that’s become tiresome.

In my experience it all depended on the dog’s behavior. Some are not suited to riding in the back due to their own individual personalities…

Thats all if he needed to be in the back for some circumstantial reason. 99% of the time they would ride with me inside.

 

[dcmdon]

@zprovo and @dcmdon - what makes the Dakota so nice? I haven't picked a crate yet but sure didn't think it would be that expensive. I will have an ARE cap too, so maybe I don't need such a nice one? I was thinking it would be a two-piece molded plastic deal.

Compared to the Ruffland, its more nicely finished and more sturdy.

Its got a metal door, which is an upgrade on the Ruffland, though I don't see any real benefit to that for my dog. He's alsways happy in his crate.

The integral handle is also nice.

Plus you can get it in sexy hunter orange.

I think the Dakota is about the perfect balance of strength and portability. The others like the Gunner are super sturdy but are 2 wall construction. So they are heavy and bulky compared to the space inside.

I like my Ruffland. Its a great crate for the money. Especially with Scheels selling it for $199. I was actually going to get a Dakota for about $400. I figured it was worth it since the Ruffland cost about $300.

But when I found the Scheels deal, I couldn't justify it. Especially since a bunch of retired guys I hunt with who hunt their dogs 60+ days/yr swear by the Ruffland.

https://www.scheels.com/p/ruff-land...45-INT2009.html#q=ruffland&lang=en_US&start=1

 

[dcmdon]

In my experience it all depended on the dog’s behavior. Some are not suited to riding in the back due to their own individual personalities…

You can introduce a dog to riding in back in such a way that it increases the chance that you won't have problems.

The first several times I put my dog in a crate I rewarded him with affection and food. We didn't even go anywhere. He just got in.

Then after several times of this, we drove out of teh driveway and to a cemetery about 1 minute away. I let him out and he ran off leash for a while.

Then after several trips to the cemetery we went to some hiking trails about 5 miles away. I got the dog in the spring and we did this all summer.

By then he knew that getting in the crate meant fun. So no issues.

In september he rode about 15 minutes to get him on birds for the fist time.

By the time hunting season rolled around in October, he lost his 5hit whenever he saw the crate. Ha.

If you introduce your dog by putting him in the crate inb the back of an open truck and bringing him to the Vet, he will learn to hate it.
Then he will try to escape and you will have trouble.

If I leave my door to our attached garage open, the dog will go up in the truck or car and get in his crate waiting HOPING that we will take him somewhere.

You need to train the dog to love the crate.

 

[Dryfly24]

You can introduce a dog to riding in back in such a way that it increases the chance that you won't have problems.

The first several times I put my dog in a crate I rewarded him with affection and food. We didn't even go anywhere. He just got in.

Then after several times of this, we drove out of teh driveway and to a cemetery about 1 minute away. I let him out and he ran off leash for a while.

Then after several trips to the cemetery we went to some hiking trails about 5 miles away. I got the dog in the spring and we did this all summer.

By then he knew that getting in the crate meant fun. So no issues.

In september he rode about 15 minutes to get him on birds for the fist time.

By the time hunting season rolled around in October, he lost his 5hit whenever he saw the crate. Ha.

If you introduce your dog by putting him in the crate inb the back of an open truck and bringing him to the Vet, he will learn to hate it.
Then he will try to escape and you will have trouble.

If I leave my door to our attached garage open, the dog will go up in the truck or car and get in his crate waiting HOPING that we will take him somewhere.

You need to train the dog to love the crate.

Agreed. I’m a retired LEO K9 handler. I’ve seen dogs who didn’t want to ride on the inside in their own cruiser kennels because some handlers would just let them sit there all day so they learned to associate it with boredom or discomfort.

Make it a pleasant experience for them and you’ll have no problems down the road.

 

[dcmdon]

Agreed. I’m a retired LEO K9 handler. I’ve seen dogs who didn’t want to ride on the inside in their own cruiser kennels because some handlers would just let them sit there all day so they learned to associate it with boredom or discomfort.

Make it a pleasant experience for them and you’ll have no problems down the road.

One of my best friends is a K9 handler. His dog rides in what would normally be the back seat area of his Tahoe. The dog stands with his head on my friend's shoulder and gets scratched all day while they drive.

The dog can't wait to get in the truck.

His first K9 vehicle was a converted crown vic. Since the back seat was originally meant for prisoners, the dog couldnt' get scratched. Ha.

My friend is a "dog guy" as much or more than he is a cop. He's had hunting dogs all his adult life. He's frankly the most gifted dog handler and trainer I've ever met.

Even my own dog gets excited when he's around. It kind of pisses me off. Ha. Jealous much??

 

[dcmdon]

I see you are in NM.

How did you deal with keeping the K9 cool back years ago. Did you let him stick his head out the window? Ha.

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