Who put's there dog in the back of the truck?

[~StangChick~]

Hi guys...Sully is now to big to ride in the cab of the truck so I have been putting him in the back. The thing is i'm paranoid I hold his leash through the window or I have my son hold it. He doesn't seem like he will jump out but of course it makes me nervous. So do you think I should just let go of the leash? Or I was thinking of somehow placing a leash in the back woth a hook or something. Let me know what you think or what you guys do..Thanks!!

[Leon]

I have seen a few people just let their dogs roam around the back of their trucks. But If you dont trust your dog you would definitely have to tie him down somehow. I am sure you can get some kind of hook or clip in walmart that attaches to the truck and to his leash. I would also make sure its a short leash. Somewhere in the middle of the truck. I wouldn't want it on the side, since i would not feel comfortable about him sticking his head to the side because of road debris.

I just got some info from the BCSPCA Website.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/animalissues/dogtrucksfactsheet.asp

"secure your dog with a cross-tether to each side of the truck with a short leash in the middle that keeps your dog away from the sides of the vehicle. These devices must be used with a harness to fully protect your dog and should only be used during moderate weather conditions."

http://www.spca.bc.ca/images/threepoint.jpg

[kumhomomma]

i've seen a few road kill dogs sucked out or jump out of truck.Id NEVER do it but thats me

[Leon]

Yes its not recommended. But if you have to, the best thing is a crate, the next best thing is to use a short leash mentioned in my prev post.

[christySYK]

They go in their crates in the back of my truck, but never loose, and even tying them worries me.

[~StangChick~]

That looks like a good idea Leon..thanks!

Well good i'm glad im not over reacting!!!

[kumhomomma]

Well remember that the leash needs to be to the point they can't get to the side of the truck,as they can jump out and hang themself.

[~StangChick~]

Well remember that the leash needs to be to the point they can't get to the side of the truck,as they can jump out and hang themself.


yes of course.:) I will probably just get some kind of eye hook and drill it through the middle of the bed.

[APBT_MOMMA]

We have eyehooks drilled into our tool box and a wire cable. In California all dogs have to be tethered in the back but we hardly ever tie our lab up but we also have easy access to backroads to get anywhere. Faith we have to tie her up because she is so rambunctious and Nevaeh we don't on backroads but on the hwy we do. They LOVE riding in the back of the truck and I would never deprive them of it. I don't do crates in the back only cuz my dogs like their head in the wind. When we do go somewhere it is always within 10 minutes away or closer and we barely ever ever hit the hwy. Now on long road trips we do use the crates in the back.

So yah, an eye hook in your truck would be a good idea. I like the cables better than ropes or anything because they don't get wrapped up or tangled with anything but it is all personal preference. :)

[Nizmo357]

my friends boxer that was 6 months old just died because he just jumped out of the back. personally i would never do it. i think crating would be the best thing. IMO

[APBTMOMMY]

my friends boxer that was 6 months old just died because he just jumped out of the back. personally i would never do it. i think crating would be the best thing. IMO



I would have to strongly agree...

[Phedra]

I think the dog would be fine, though I would start with progressions from just sitting in the back without moving then increase length of the trip slowly so the dog can get used to being back AND being away from you in the cab. The dog might experience fright and separation anxiety. I had my rottie in the back of my trucks for her whole life and she was never tied up. Reminder though not only do you have to worry about sun on the dog but also the box of the truck can get REALLY hot on the feet. If you do it right, there should be no problem.

[APBT_MOMMA]

Yah I am a typical country girl and my dogs have always rode in the back of the truck and so did I till I moved to California where there is laws against it, lol. I see no harm in it at all. Our dogs love it and wouldn't have it any other way. Some dogs are jumpers though and never trust a dog not to jump even if they aren't jumpers. There can always be a cat, squirrel, ect. or something that can spark a dogs interest so a nice short permanent leash in there just so the dog can see over is a smart thing. :) Let me know what you decide to do and what your dog thinks about it.

[CoolHandJean]

Notch is the only one who rides in the back without being in the crate, and when he does ride, we tied him down so that he isn't able to jump over the side, and so, he isn't just moving all over the truck. We tie the leash so it doesn't have much give, so, he can look over, but can't get even a paw over.

[jeoestreich]

I would not let my dogs run loose in the back of a pick up truck. My boss lost his dog that way.

[Hallil]

I have a bit of a double standard here :o. I KNOW how bad it is to keep dogs in the box without a crate, but for slow trips and just doing chores on the farm the dogs are allowed to ride in the box. For the most part I only have one dog who would rather ride than run anyway. On the highway, and in the city though I dont let him ride in the box. I cant see him jumping out if the truck was on fire, lol, but there are other reasons.

I guess the thing that got me was that if they are in the box and you get into an accident they'll smack into whatevers in their way. Or dogs tied can snap their neck from being tied. Even a dog in a harness, if he's not secure in the middle of the truck and only the middle of the truck could get tossed around fatally if there was a crash or swerve of some sort.

I know no one plans for a crash, but that's why it's an accident. And just as I wouldnt have myself or one of my kids (hypothetically speaking) loose in the box for the same reasons, I have decided to follow the same rule with the dogs.

[Dansgrizz]

You get in a bad wreck if the dogs in the bed, crate or not it's dead. A harness buckled in is the safest way of travel. Putting an eyebolt in the center of the bed or a tether that has very limited range is the best way to travel in the truck if it's unavoidable... I'd never do it because with my dogs prey drive a passing bird could be a death sentence.

[buzhunter]

I've seen a lot of dogs leave a lot of vehicles over a deer, or dog, or rabbit, or whatever. Doesn't have to be a truck. They jump out of windows too. Even windows with glass. Never say never. haha

[titan1]

here is a great tether for truck beds (http://www.nutra-9.com/k-9trucktether.aspx).

[Lala]

No, they ride in the truck safe with me lol. I'm too paranoid.

[Killa_cali]

if u need to put em in the back i would put him on a short harnest i did see a dog try to jump and almost hung him self. lucky the car wasnt moving and the owner was right there too let it lose

[Miakoda]

I have seen a few people just let their dogs roam around the back of their trucks. But If you dont trust your dog you would definitely have to tie him down somehow. I am sure you can get some kind of hook or clip in walmart that attaches to the truck and to his leash. I would also make sure its a short leash. Somewhere in the middle of the truck. I wouldn't want it on the side, since i would not feel comfortable about him sticking his head to the side because of road debris.

I just got some info from the BCSPCA Website.

http://www.spca.bc.ca/animalissues/dogtrucksfactsheet.asp

"secure your dog with a cross-tether to each side of the truck with a short leash in the middle that keeps your dog away from the sides of the vehicle. These devices must be used with a harness to fully protect your dog and should only be used during moderate weather conditions."

http://www.spca.bc.ca/images/threepoint.jpg

Great post.

While a kennel bolted down to the floor or fastened as securely as possible is the best way for a dog to ride in the truck bed, a cross-tie is the next best thing. You do NOT want your dog to even be able to reach the sides since he could get his front legs up and over and then you'd still be in trouble.

And a lucky dog is one that jumps completely out of the truck. I've seen plenty of those that managed to survive, albeit with some serious injuries. The unlucky ones get hung and or hung and dragged.