Loading your dog

I drove a 2010 Access cab with the rear "seats" folded for the first 10 years of Scout's ride alongs. He loaded and unloaded himself.



Then, as he hit double digits and for the past two years, in my 2018 dual cab he mostly stands by for a lift in. Unless the truck is in the open and he can get a good running start. The second row of seats is higher than was the folded seats in the AC. But, I think he is coming to grips with his age - as am I.

 

In my neck of the woods, that would get you a big fine!

 

I lift my beagle in. For one, he's a beagle and can't jump for shit anyway, and two, he's 12 years old and can't jump even a little bit like he could as a puppy. Sometimes he will halfass it and prop his front legs on the sliders but that's about it. Getting out is a whole different story. He's a beagle, so he's kinda retarded and forgets that he is old and has tiny little legs and thinks he can take a flying jump out. About 99% of the time I have a hold on him before he even tries and just lift him out, every once in a while he catches me by surprise and there's an awkward jumping/falling/catching move going on.

 

I have a 200+lbs mastiff so lifting is not an option and he’s getting older so jumping was off the options too. I bought a fold up ramp it folds into 3 and stores easily… he was hesitant at first but no issues now. I’ll take a picture later when I get home.

that’s exactly what it looks like

 

I have Husky hair in my cab and my dog hasn't ever been in it!
I spend 2k every time I get a Tacoma (10, 21) on a cap just for the dogs.
Had 2 labs that passed that would jump up in the '10 no problem until about 10 years old. Then lift them in.

Now my 90lb Lab/Husky and 30lb Auggie jump right in the '21....

 

My boy wouldn’t use a ramp whatsoever so I got the pet loader and he uses it without hesitation

 

I miss my lil' bro...

 

We have a two step horse step that works pretty well and is not too heavy or big to take with you.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/catalog/horse-grooming-steps-stools

 

I used to be a die hard ramp user, but I just converted to the folding stairs. Similar to what @littlefish mentioned. Just be sure to get the five step version. They're so much easier to train. Dogs would prefer jumping, but I want them in the habit now before the hip and back issues start.

 

The 3 year old jumps in most of the time. The 5 month old has to be put in. Both wear tracking harnesses.

 

Man, this is turning into an awesome thread! Keep the dog pics coming!

 

Here ya go, dog pics galore
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lets-see-your-dogs.2844/page-1471#post-25778556

 

Pm’d!

 

1. He jumps in
2. I put him in

 

My 125lb rottie is too old for jumping up and down from back seat. I modified a foldable ramp from princess auto by just adding rubber for traction. Works great for him.

 

When I had a Malamute, I had an old El Camino "Dog-car" expressly for him to ride in the cab.

 

I already posted but here’s our boy!

Had a broken home couldn’t let him go to the pound!
Didn’t need a dog kinda liked the empty nest!

 

Can't keep my boy Tomi outta the truck. The back door opens and he gets in, or tires to, even if all I'm doing is getting something out.

 

FYI, jumping out can often he harder on them than jumping in. Depending on the size of the pooch, jumping out can tweak their back, so even when my pooch could jump in, I'd always assist him on the way out.

Also, I did this to the back of the back seat, the put a thin dog bed on top of that to make life easier on him.

"Kayak Traction Mat | Adventure Dogs" https://advdogs.com/2018/01/jetsports-traction-mat/

 

Well, she is the size of a Nerf Football and weighs about as much.....so I just scoop her up and set her in the seat.