New Owner! Ideas for making back seat dog friendly?

His driving privileges have been revoked -- too many nose prints on the windows!!!

 

Like that pic. Nice dog ...

 

So realistically you wouldn't let a child run around in your vehicle without restraints. But many of us let our dogs do it. If your going to do it in the back seat there is still a chance of bodily harm to the dog in the event of an accident. Have tried restraints and harnesses but nothing really has worked well for me. Or truthfully the dog more than me...

If I was going to keep a dog in the bed I would make sure that he is crated. Lot of recorded issues with accidents and dogs getting out and running away even with a cap on the back. Pretty much goes without saying but thought I'd mention it. I like the double door Ruff Tough Kennels for ventilation and solid build. When the dog is sleeping with me in the back I put him in the crate. I also usually wear his butt out first.



But most of the time when we travel he is on the platform in the back seat area behind me. With his head laying on my shoulder until he gets bored and finally lays down or starts looking out the side windows. It likely is not be the safest for his well being truth be told.

 

Mine sheds like crazy too! Fortunately I have leather and put plastic over the carpet.

 

The bed comes stock dog ready.

 

Here's my setup: 2 pieces 2'x4' MDF, polyproplyene carpet from Home Depot, and a scrap of memory foam on the bottom piece. I kept the seats in so in the rare event I need to carry passengers I just toss the dog rig in the back. The seat hooks also make a good tether/anchor point for dog harnesses (note carabiners). You can also throw a padlock on as a visible theft deterrent for the cubby area behind the seat - though it isn't secure per-se. Unless the dogs are inside, in which case, yeah, it's secure

 

Something else to consider, especially for claws and slobber..

http://www.tacomahq.com/1352/canine-covers-pet-door-shields/

 

I have a smaller doc who is around 40lbs I use the sleepypod 3 point her was for her so she stays in a seated position and doesn't fly through the windshield if we get into a wreck.

 

If you dont mine not having the bench seat, pull out the butt portion and replace it with a plywood sheet wrapped in carpet and a heavy duty mat for the pups tp lay on. Thats what I did. The board extends from under the fold down back portion, to the back of the front seat. I have 2 goldens and they ride comfortably there, and I can re install my back seat when my family grows or for resale and the pups have not ruined it because its in storage! The single seat is still there so I can carry 3 people.

 

I have a GSD. Really enjoys a ride. Been taking him with me when I'm in the old truck only. Wife saw one of those hammock style back seat covers at WalMart for $20.00 and brought it home. For only $20.00 it's probably a POS but I used it the other day. Not too bad. He didn't get wet and muddy so I don't know how it will handle that. It did keep the hair off the seats though. He was a happy boy.

 

Hell yea! I bought a rubber mat too. They seem to be able to grip it really well when we're making turns. THey love it back there. On really hot days I don't put them back there, but in the past i've hooked up a home made air conditioner/fan to the bed plug-in and they were fine for a short drive.

 

I recommend Wet Okole Seat covers kinda pricey but they are the best in the market... There is a group buy going on right now and you can get 20% off. Check it out.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/official-wet-okole-group-buy-9-22-16-10-9-16.452188/

 

I use a hammock style for my German Shepherd and it works really well. Her nervousness in the vehicle after adding the hammock went to almost non-existent.

$57 Plush Paws Products Premium Rear Car Seat Protector w/Hammock | Washable & Waterproof Back Seat Dog Cover for Car, Truck, & SUV | Nonslip, Tear Resistant Pet Seat Cover | Regular Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TF4DHGG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Update: I went with rab89's awesome idea for the platform in the back seat.

First time making use of the Taco's bed (w/dog for effect):

Finished product (I didn't bother cutting holes for the seat latches in the back; it already fits really snug. I'll do that later if needed):

Maybelle digs it!

 

Hmmm...I didn't consider the harness. I don't bother keeping the dog all that secure on short trips around town, but in my Commander I would always have her in her crate on long trips. Don't have room for that on the inside now. You have a harness you recommend?

 

2 dog owner here. I find no need for anything special back there. For day to day travels & errands, the back seats themselves are just fine. I do have seat covers and lay down a fleece blanket on the seat and simply tuck it between the seats to keep it in place. If I need to transport 2 legged critters...just pull the blanket. Nothing to remove & store.

For hunting season....the seats lay flat with a non-skid pad on top and 2 dog crates back to back. Easy in & out via the doors.

 

I like the flat surface this mod offers, though. It will keep my own stuff from sliding around/falling into the storage pockets behind the seats. There's also no way her crate would fit in the back.

 

Thanks!

 

Just saw this - wasn't lurking TW this weekend.

We have a couple different ones. Some of the Kurgos are OK, but the Ruffwear Webmaster harness is the best I've ever had. It is the only harness my Houdini escape artist dog cannot get out of.

 

My Dog, she loves to ride up front, if I put her in the access area she just lays down and I don't think she enjoys it as much