[taibo]

In California we have a two point tether law for attaching doggies, so they don't end up hung. Something you might want to consider.

We had a beagle when I was born, and he was our only dog, and was around until I was 13 or 14.

Great dogs, but he would run off to find the ladies once in a while, or something dead to roll in. :teethmast

swarren,

i'm in calif too. what is the law? where can i read about it? i think the dogs are safe since they are attached to the middle of the top rail of the bed divider, but am curious about any dmv vehicle codes on transporting dogs in the back of a truck.

thanks.

 

[NorCal 4x4]

I never have read the vehicle code on it. I'll see if I can find it. But if it's like a lot of laws, it won't nesessarily cover all possible senerios. So even if your method is as good or better, you may still be fined. ... Well we are in animal activist country so maybe even imprisioned. :teethmast

Here you go:

23117. (a) No person driving a motor vehicle shall transport any animal in the back of the vehicle in a space intended for any load on the vehicle on a highway unless the space is enclosed or has side and tail racks to a height of at least 46 inches extending vertically from the floor, the vehicle has installed means of preventing the animal from being discharged, or the animal is cross tethered to the vehicle, or is protected by a secured container or cage, in a manner which will prevent the animal from being thrown, falling, or jumping from the vehicle.
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) The transportation of livestock.
(2) The transportation of a dog whose owner either owns or is employed by a ranching or farming operation who is traveling on a road in a rural area or who is traveling to and from a livestock auction.
(3) The transportation of a dog for purposes associated with ranching or farming.

 

[Davink]

I never have read the vehicle code on it. I'll see if I can find it. But if it's like a lot of laws, it won't nesessarily cover all possible senerios. So even if your method is as good or better, you may still be fined. ... Well we are in animal activist country so maybe even imprisioned. :teethmast

Here you go:

23117. (a) No person driving a motor vehicle shall transport any animal in the back of the vehicle in a space intended for any load on the vehicle on a highway unless the space is enclosed or has side and tail racks to a height of at least 46 inches extending vertically from the floor, the vehicle has installed means of preventing the animal from being discharged, or the animal is cross tethered to the vehicle, or is protected by a secured container or cage, in a manner which will prevent the animal from being thrown, falling, or jumping from the vehicle.
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) The transportation of livestock.
(2) The transportation of a dog whose owner either owns or is employed by a ranching or farming operation who is traveling on a road in a rural area or who is traveling to and from a livestock auction.
(3) The transportation of a dog for purposes associated with ranching or farming.

It seems that the want the animal to be held in the middle of the truck bed, Cross Tethered would do that. But if you have them anchored to a center point of the truck bed, so that they can not reach the outter edge I would think you will be alright, unless you get a really picky cop. I don't know though, I am not in CA.

I know that they are trying to stop dogs from falling out of the trucks and hanging themselves because the other end of the leash is anchored. That happened more than three times that I recall, just last summer here in Hartford, CT. One guy was seen driving for about 6 miles with his Black Lab hanging off the side of the truck, wearing a choker collar. The dog died, and the guy is facing animal cruelty charges, and could get up to three years.

Another guy was seen dragging his Pit Bull behind his truck on the highway. He had the dog tied in, but the leash was so long, the dog fell out and was dragged. They said the dog did not choke, but was dragged to death. It was horrible.

I would really make sure your dogs can not get to the edge, and also make sure they have on regular collars, with the plastic breakaway connections, not the belt buckle type, and certainly do not hook it to a choker collar.

Acctually your best bet would proably be to use a chest harness with the dogs, that way it (god forbid) they did fall, they have no chance of hanging something like this

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...pcatid=356&Ntt=chest harness&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2001&Nty=1

They even make some that are better padded.

Good luck with it!! :cheers:

 

[taibo]

It seems that the want the animal to be held in the middle of the truck bed, Cross Tethered would do that. But if you have them anchored to a center point of the truck bed, so that they can not reach the outter edge I would think you will be alright, unless you get a really picky cop. I don't know though, I am not in CA.

:cheers:

Thanks Swarren and davink for the info. As i mentioned, I put the dogs on a "short leash" so that they cannot stand over the sides of the truck. Also, helps to keep the truck sides scratch-free!!!!

They are tied to the middle of the top bar on the bed divider so that controls them from the "center" of the cargo bay. No chokers, just standard collars... but I was unaware of the breakaway collars. That might be more dangerous, in that the dogs could potentially break away and defeat my tether system under normal conditions.

The dogs seem to like the current set-up!!

- taibo

 

[Davink]

Thanks Swarren and davink for the info. As i mentioned, I put the dogs on a "short leash" so that they cannot stand over the sides of the truck. Also, helps to keep the truck sides scratch-free!!!!

They are tied to the middle of the top bar on the bed divider so that controls them from the "center" of the cargo bay. No chokers, just standard collars... but I was unaware of the breakaway collars. That might be more dangerous, in that the dogs could potentially break away and defeat my tether system under normal conditions.

The dogs seem to like the current set-up!!

- taibo

Taibo,

You may already be using the kind of collars I am talking about it. Although certain companys advertise them as "break away" pretty much any collar with the plastic quick clips will break away if one of you dogs ever fell out of the truck. I was just saying that I would avoid the belt buckle type, as they are VERY hard for the dogs to get off.

The picture at the following link showa a picture of the two kinds I was refering too. Still I would say that the harness is best, but whatever works for you, Great.....Just my 2 cents! :cheers:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=345&N=2001+113520

 

[Gig'em]

"Sometimes I feel like a dog standin' on a toolbox
In the back of a pickup truck doin' 90 'round a corner
Just tryin' to hang on for dear life..."

-Dog on a Toolbox by James Bonamy

It's not really relevant, but I think its funny.

Note: I do not condone leaving a dog in the bed.

 

[Bayou Titan]

Here is a thread that is almost a year old that discusses transporting dogs in the bed of a truck.
http://www.titantalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9173&highlight=transport+dog

 

[Tony]

One more ped protection seat cover idea.
Thinking about it for my two furry kids.
http://www.car-truck-accessories.com/covercraft_petpad.asp

 

[taibo]

You may already be using the kind of collars I am talking about it. Although certain companys advertise them as "break away" pretty much any collar with the plastic quick clips will break away if one of you dogs ever fell out of the truck. I was just saying that I would avoid the belt buckle type, as they are VERY hard for the dogs to get off.

Yep... that's what I've got... quick-clips! I can now rest (ride?) easy.

Thanks again,

T

 

[Adso]

This is a great thread.

I am buying a Crew Cab 05 for this very reason. My wife let me get the LE because she thought the leather would clean up well from the dog hair. So far, I am liking the peice of carpet theory. I think I would like having the dogs on the floor instead of the seat. My German Shepherd mix likes to jump out the window when we come to a stop. LOL

BTW: Just found out today that my baby is in what is called "Distribution" and that it should be here in 1 to 2 weeks! OMG OMG OMG! (Edit --> baby = Truck!!!)

Anyhoo, I wouldn't mind the dogs in the bed, but I HATE camper shells. I think they ruin the look of the truck, and are a pain to take on and off (and store). I don't think I'd trust my two mutts in the bed with nothing over it keeping them from jumping out

2 cents spent.

 

[FLfinfan]

I use this:
This end hooks into the truck. Two bike lock type cables, 4 clips, attaches to the child restraint seat anchor points.

This end hooks to the dog harness or collar. Seats stay flipped up. Don't even have to unhook it when not in use, stores behind the back seat when the seats are in their normal position, always ready to use. Used it in my old Frontier and still use it in the Xterra also (but the seats don't flip up in that truck so I don't use a collar then, have to use a harness incase he slips off the seat, then I don't yoke his neck). But in the Titan it's no sweat.

He can stand and look out the window, sit, or even lay down anywhere on the back floor boards. Use it around town and on 2 long summer trips so far. Been using it for years.

 

[BigSkiff]

SEEwww.innovationfiberglass.com We will fix youre problem.

Man I love the look of your spider cover! It's awesome.

 

[ptgarcia]

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.

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.

HS

We shave our golden also, and it makes a huge difference. We did it at the end of March and it is still fairly short, although it is starting to grow out. Like Half Shovel's dog, ours loves the short hair. After shaving her down she runs and rolls and plays like no other time. It keeps the house and vehicles much cleaner.