Travel Containment

[LostAndConfused]

How do you guys secure your dogs while you're traveling? Currently Hudson is in the back seat, with a car hammock. The hammock keeps him in the back seat, keeps him from falling between the back seat and the backs of the front seats, and it keeps the car slightly cleaner.

I used the Roadie harness when he was a puppy, but when he out grew that I didn't replace it. Has anyone tried the new Ruffwear Load Up harness?

 

[Elrohwen]

I use the Front Range harness as a car harness, along with a strap that buckles into the seat belt. And an Orvis car seat cover which I love.

 

[BostonBanker]

Right now, they are crated in the cargo space of my car. I was actually just looking up the specs for the Variocages again today. I'm planning to get one this spring sometime, just need to save a bit more money and measure the care carefully. I'm convinced the one I get won't fit, because that's just how my life goes!

Mine used to ride loose, but I got really paranoid after the crash a few years ago that killed several agility dogs out west. I know nothing is fool proof, but I am hoping that with the Variocages, I will at least be able to convince myself that I'm doing the best I can.

Also, I can not BELIEVE how much cleaner my cars stays with the dogs crated. My dash is no longer covered in a fine layer of hair.

 

[teacuptiger]

Just a crate in the back (it's a Remington medium sized- very easy to fit both in the van and the car). I've tried other options, but crating her makes travel a lot easier and safer.

 

[Samsonyte!]

Right now the backseat just has a blanket over it and they ride loose back there.

I really would like for them to be crated but the way the trunk of my car is shaped (2005 subaru impreza) I can barely fit a Sam-sized crate, much less a Wilson-sized crate without folding down the back seat which I want to avoid.

I do want to get a backseat hammock and maybe tether them back there but knowing them they would just move around and get all tangled up.

 

[Beanie]

Soft crates in the backseat. Two of the N2Ns j-u-s-t fit back to back. Payton and Auggie go in one together and it actually gets belted in through the handle. Georgie's is turned the opposite way so the handle isn't facing the seatbelts, but it's wedged in there pretty firmly.

I am going to need another solution at some point, although now that Georgie is spayed I could in theory pack Payton and Georgie together, then Auggie and the new baby together. I'll have a quite serious issue if I need to take Pepper as well though. Five just won't fit. Whomp.

 

[Elrohwen]

I would probably crate if I could. I drive an Accord, so not crate space for a medium sized dog.

DH just got a truck and would like to get a cab for the bed. If he does, I might consider put a crate back there, but I'm not thrilled with the idea because of lack of climate control. So the dog will probably still ride in the cab and we'll use the crate in the bed at shows.

 

[Snark]

When we take the van, everyone is crated, but the car? Loose in the back seat, which I really don't like but Riley was a whirling dervish in the seat belt harness I had for him. It attached to the diagonal strap and he was great at getting tangled in it. Then he spent some time chewing on the seat belt itself... sigh...

I've been looking at the Clickit Sport seat belt - does anyone have any experience with it? Riley's a circler before he settles down on the seat, will any seat belt work for him?

 

[SpringerLover]

I have a 36" crate in my wagon currently. Either Bailey or Diego rides in there. Gabby rides on the seat in a Roadie 99% of the time. She doesn't settle in a crate well but lies down immediately on the seat.

Diego and Bailey are both terrible at riding on the seat so it is my last resort. Tim is going to construct something so I can fit 2 dogs in the hatch area separately AND my ramp!

 

[Brattina88]

Literally nothing fits in my truck. It's bad

 

[MicksMom]

It depends on which vehicle we're in. In my extended cab Ranger (which is what we use most of the time), Caleb rides behind the seat. In the Escape, I fold the seats down and put him in his Vari Kennel (#400/Large).

 

[k9krazee]

I have not tried any harnesses, my dogs are crated in their soft crates in the cargo area of the car. I'm not sure how safe the soft crates are, but I do like having the dogs contained...otherwise Crossbone ducks at every overpass, freaks out if it's raining and Pox just wants to sit on the drivers lap.

 

[FG167]

Varikennel crates right now in my car. Hubby is building me custom aluminum crates that just need doors and they'll be finished.

When we take his pickup we hook up the dog trailer. Unless we're bringing only 1-2 dogs and no gear, then we just toss Varikennels in the bed and ratchet them down.

 

[DJEtzel]

I recently re-built the inside of my wagon. Took seats out, built platform for crates and room underneath for storage... now I can fit at least 4 crates for medium-large sized dogs in my car for travel. This is where everyone rides.

Untitled by DJetzel, on Flickr

Untitled by DJetzel, on Flickr

 

[houlahoops]

Pippa has a crate in the back of the Subaru. One of my worst fears is that I will get in an accident and she will take off…I feel a lot better having her contained.

 

[ThreePs]

Crates in back

It used to be crates on a platform in back. The purple is a size 100 Varikennel and the black wire is approximately 23"L x 17"W x 20"T depending on brand. My folding chair juuuust fit under the platform and, best of all, I had use of the backseat for -like- human passengers :rofl1:.

Now I have two wire crates that size, no platform, and no backseat.