Dog in The Back...Any Ideas???????

Davink · 12-05-2004, 08:44 AM

Hey all,

Was just wondering how many of your out there have a CC and carry one or more dogs in the back, with the rear seat folded up.

I have Three Dogs, Two Goldens and One Black Lab. Needless to say, they shed ALOT. I am always looking for ways to better protect the truck.

The only thing I have found that works pretty well is old queen size sheets. I use an unfitted sheet over the folded up back seat, tuck it on the sides, and lay it right across the floor, then tuck the rest under the front side of the floormats, It stays in place pretty good.

I then use the fitted sheet to span between the front seats, putting it right over the head rests, and then wrapping a bungie around the headrest metal poles, you can then tuck the other part under the front of the same floormats, and you are totally covered.

It works pretty well, but does blows around a little if you put down the rear windows.

Does anyone else have any ideas, What I would really like to do is find a place that I can have custom floor mats made, and some kind of covers for the seats. A one peice water proof something would be perfect. ANY IDEAS???? I am at a loss. Thanks

bestatchess · 12-05-2004, 09:03 AM

Maybe get a shell and put them in the back.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-05-2004, 09:05 AM

For three large dogs, I think I'd have three dog crates in the bed, and buy a camper shell for them. Crates also stack, so you might be able to fit three in the crew cab, with the backseats folded up.

Also, there are anti-static sprays that you could try on places the dog hair is sticking to, which might help somewhat. Test a hidded area in case it stains.

RememberThisTitan · 12-05-2004, 09:07 AM

throw the dogs in the bed. problem solved. there are a few seat covers available. nissan makes some and so does wet oakley. id say stick with the sheets since they will get dirty real quick. you wont want to take the seat covers off all the time to clean them. gets old. you can by floor mats that cover the rear floor but i would say just get some carpet and cut it to size. i did that to protect my floor mats from all the mud at my work.

vw1972bugs · 12-05-2004, 09:12 AM

Bah...it a truck remember? Treat it like one! My dog lives in the back of mine, every so often just vacume up a little thats all.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-05-2004, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vw1972bugs

Bah...it a truck remember? Treat it like one! My dog lives in the back of mine, every so often just vacume up a little thats all.

Well this idea has an advantage because it will save you money on gas. Your friends will always want to take their cars, so you won't have to drive anywhere.

Half Shovel · 12-05-2004, 09:32 AM

Well, one thing you could do to reduce the amount of hair (depending on the climate you live in) is shave your goldens. I don't mean down to the skin, but shave 'em down to 1/2 inch. They stop shedding.

The longer-haired breeds are great, because you can groom them. I have a brittney spaniel, and I shave him in March, June and August, or therabouts. Since I live in MN, I let it grow out for winter. Still, this cuts WAAAAY down on the shedding.

As for the lab, not much you can do there, as I don't THINK you can shave them. I think a groomer once told me that you couldn't anyway. I really don't know.

Definitely shave the goldens, though. You can get a grooming kit at petsmart or a place like that for 50 bucks. It's worth it. My dog loves being shaved. Well....he doesn't LOVE the shaving part (doesn't mind it), but he loves having short hair. He's all full of energy after I shave him and happy as can be.

The March shaving is most important, as that's when you get the winter undercoat before it sheds all over your house/truck, etc.

The other answer would be to get a crate for each dog. I crate my dog when I hunt. Dogs naturally love crates (although you have to get them used to one sometimes) because it's like being in a den.

Hope this helps.

HS

vw1972bugs · 12-05-2004, 09:38 AM

I have a Boxer...very tight and short hair. Still messy though.

Titanoholic · 12-05-2004, 09:47 AM

Get a canopy! I have two German Shepherds I take along with me. In my opinion the canopy is the way to go, plus I cut out some carpet to line the bottom of the truck to keep it clean plus the dogs love it. With the canopy, I just drop the tailgate and the dogs jump on in. With this, I don't have to smell any dog smells when they are wet. Plus when they are wet and muddy, there is no way I would want to put them in the cab of the truck, plus they have huge claws that scratch things up real easy. Plus with that many dogs in the cab, the windows start to fog up easy on wet days. With the canopy I can take my dogs along with extra passengers. The electric rear window is great, just push the button and the dogs can poke their heads inside the cab, I love it! And when the canopy does get really dirty, just pull out the garden house and wash it out!

Davink · 12-05-2004, 09:50 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. All I have thought of. The problem is that I work as a contractor, the dogs come to every site with me, and are in the truck all day long. If I put them in the bed (whick is pretty full of tools and stuff) then they freeze, or boil depending on the weather / season.

Second problem is that my wife would want a divorce if I shaved them, or put them in the back (on second thought maybe thats the way to go keep the truck clean and be single again...HMMMMM...) These dogs are our children, alot of people don't understand that, but we don't have kids, and they really are. I could never put them in the bed.

The crates in the back seat area might work though. They are already crate trained, Maybe those nylon types that don't let the fur fly right through.

Keep the suggestions coming - I'll take any ideas you have!! Thanks

PHOEBISIS · 12-05-2004, 10:39 AM

I would be tempted to get one of those velcro kits,and a heavy sheet or piece of canvas.Put one side of the velcro on the truck interior,the other side on the sheet-canva.This will give a much tighter fit than just tucking the sheet in-and it is cheap.
I had a cap on my Tundra,and drove to AZ(from New Orleans) with one of the greyhounds in the back.Of course to make it"suitable" for Isis I had to open the windows between the cap and truck,use a dryer vent hose taped to a AC register to pump AC back there,put a bed rug down+very dense 2" foam from a wrestling mat,and completely cover the top with reflective insulation.It ended up being pretty quiet and cool back there-I know,I slept-on the fly- back there.The beds are extremely noisy,so it took a lot of insulation to make it decently quiet,and cool.Frankly,it is just easier to leave them in the backseat.My wife has high standards for their comfort-of course,Isis and Phoebe concur!!.Luck.Charlie

Bayou Titan · 12-05-2004, 10:44 AM

What about using one of these?

http://www.uwsta.com/rec_dog_southern_doub.html

pciley · 12-05-2004, 10:56 AM

Put T-shirts on the dogs. Most of the hair will stay on them. Golden... lab or retriever? Our lab sheds the opposite color of my seats/carpet. Big pain in the butt. My girlfriend gets a laugh out of dressing the dog up anyways, and helps me get rid of old give-a-way t-shirts.
Now to address the slobber... ??

daschtick · 12-05-2004, 11:28 AM

I recently purchased one of THESE for my Golden Retriever in my wife's car. It's very thick, and secures nicely. I am not sure if they make a huge one for your application, but it's worth a look.

I actually use a dog harness in the Titan that keeps him on the back seat, which I covered with a small rug. This keeps him safe, plus he won't jump out when I open the door now unless I unclip him first.

Titan Power · 12-05-2004, 12:28 PM

I've got a couple dogs, one a Golden Retriever, the other a medium sized mutt. My wife bought a mat at Costco that is about the exact size of the rear floor area. We roll it up and store it under the seats when not in use. When it's time to take the dogs for as ride, just pop up the seats and unroll the mat.

Jason K.