Transporting in pickup

[Dizzydancer]

So about to get a second dog which means the two will be travelling in the pickup canopy instead of the back seats.

Looking for how you all transport in pickups? Do you have cages to confine or tail gate just to keep safe? it will be for two labs. I'm thinking ideally a tailgate guard but fitted 1/4 way back from the door to give some storage in front and also confine the dogs a bit would be the best but havnt seen this so assuming not possible to do!

[Springfield Pointers]

Dogs will learn to travel quite easily on pickups even without a canopy. Dogs won't just jump off open pickups if conditioned correctly.

[beechessam]

A cage from just a few quid to a full system costing 1000s will all do the same. It also stops them stripping head linings chewing window locks etc etc.

[trekmoor]

I've never owned a pickup truck so I have never tried to train a dog to remain in the back of one as I drove. I don't think I'd chance doing that anyway. I was being given a lift in the back of an open pickup about 7 years ago and my crazy cocker "Charlie" decided as we went along a country road at 30 - 40 MPH, that a big patch of gorse on the hillside needed hunted. He jumped out while still on the lead and attached to me. I had to swing him back in again as fast as possible ! I'm amazed his head didn't come off .

Open back Pickups are an accident waiting to happen I.M.O. Get a crate or a cage.

Wullie

[Naj]

I agree. A local farmer recently had one of his sheepdogs jump out the back of one & it broke its leg. The driver didn't notice until a friend phoned asking if it was his dog lying injured on the road.

Naj

[newf]

I'm guity of having my lab ride in the back of the pickup when convenient. Yes, I'm a redneck at times and there is no real good argument for my defense. My excuses have been he's soaking wet or I've had passengers who wouldn't agree to ride back there for the sake of the dog. When I do it, my speed is no more than 40 km and the trip is less than 10 minutes. The truck pan has been treated the same as 'place'...it is sacred ground...he cannot not leave no matter the temptation. Paws are to remain inside and not tolerated on pan sides. He is trained to ride the rear seat of the snowmachine with the attitude of 'place' too.

However, with that being said, I have him ride in the cab more often than not. If driving high speeds he is in the cab if possible but if the situation won't allow it, then I strap down his large crate in the pan that is insulated and comfy for that sole purpose. Though, in spite of what I have done and may do, I would not argue in my defense that a pickup pan is a safe place for a dog unless crated and strapped securely.

If wondering why I don't just leave the crate in the pan all the time, well it is because I frequently carry such things as lumber, the snowmachine or firewood.

[Dizzydancer]

Sorry I don't think I made it clear, the back of the truck will be covered over with a proper pick up back so it's what to do with them inside that.
I think I will look to get a simple cage rather than one ridiculous money and get tail gate for when they are older and can be trusted to have the full space.

I wouldn't put my dog in an open back pick up ever- disaster waiting to happen in my eyes!

[Springfield Pointers]

On the farm dogs are often in the back of open pickups. They do not jump off. Would not travel on national roads like that though. But my dogs will not jump off open pickups. Would not advise it if the dogs have not been conditioned to it.

[Hepe]

On the farm dogs are often in the back of open pickups. They do not jump off. Would not travel on national roads like that though. But my dogs will not jump off open pickups. Would not advise it if the dogs have not been conditioned to it.

I agree with this, on shoots on rural roads mine get to sit out sometimes (and me too) but never on 'real' roads.

Helene

[Craigius]

Safety first have them in a cage!