Transporting in pickup

[WGD]

I've always used a box, TransK9 or similar, so you can throw stuff on the top, up the sides and along the front rather than giving the entire load bay over to the dogs.

[Naj]

Even if there is a tailguard up, if dogs are left loose in such a big area there is still a high possibility of an injury in the event of an emergency stop or tight bend. Much safer to have them contained on all counts.

Naj

[Springfield Pointers]

You'll be amazed how dogs watch the bends on an open truck. My dogs have all grown up travelling on the farm on open pickups. They do not jump off - even in the presence of game. I have never had an injury or an accident. That being said, on national roads I contain them, on the farm they are in the open pickup, more often than not. They will only get off when called off and when the tailgate is down. It is not uncommon here. Accidents are almost unheard of.

[Rookie]

One of my old dogs broke her leg as the result of jumping out whilst still moving. Her leg was amputated as a result and then I took her on. I would never travel a dog on an open pick-up and only know of one person who does this (not on public roads). I know of another dog that jumped out while tethered, he had to hang there untill the driver noticed.

[newf]

It's all a matter of common sense. No, you don't have a dog free in the pan of a truck going 100 km/hr down a highway or driving erratically with no concern of your dog passenger. Dogs are transported responsibily on all sorts of equipment such as atv's, snowmachines and boats all of which have some sort of danger associated with them. Then too, hunting itself has its own dangers that many pet dog owners would never dream of subjecting their 'fido' to, and I daresay, many would have a negative opinion on how we can justifiably expose our own animals to on a routine basis. To name a few: shotgun fire, freezing water, diving water entries, heavy currents and rapids, terrain, barbed top fences and; if you have a working cattle dog then a broken jaw could be reality, etc. Life is not without risks but training and some common sense about your particular dog and what they can handle in a relatively safe and enjoyable way is essentially left up to us as responsible gundog owners to figure out.

Don't get me wrong... I know the safest place for your dog is in the cab seat belted in or crated. However, if some reason he may have to travel in the truck pan then use a crate or failing that double leash him to two sides of the pan so he cannot leave if he desides too. However, if he is trained to remain in 'place' calmly and quietly, then take your time and be aware of your doggy passenger.

As a side note... I spend quite a bit of time in the woods not just hunting or training but cutting firewood. I could just leave my dog home and languish in a kennel or he could be with me enjoying the wintry days. So, I choose to take him with me... always. He typically rides a modified backseat of the snowmachine or in the towed sled. While felling trees and/or handling the chainsaw he waits in secure spots 'til it is safe to move about. There is danger but it is a calculated danger that is low because of training and awareness that comes from deliberate routine and consistency.

[Hepe]

Well put newf.

Helene

[kent]

put you dog in a cage end of. RTA could see it killed by being thown out, also a mates dog got funny about getting in his truck (the back was always a mess) I figured it had something hit or fall on it in transport or just plain got caught off guard on a corner. So he put it in the house box and it was immediately fine (back of his truck is still a tip)

[liveseyd]

I use a large solid cage with centre divider and two entrance doors, in the back of an L200. Stops the dogs sloshing around during transport, easy to pack all the other gear down the sides, can leave the boot doors open and not worry about them legging it...

[Springfield Pointers]

Years ago someone asked, after witnessing three dogs arriving on the back of an open pickup, whether there was concern that one of the dogs might jump off whilst on the road. The reply was swift. "it's ok, i don't want a dog that's stupid enough to jump off a moving pickup"

[newf]

Years ago someone asked, after witnessing three dogs arriving on the back of an open pickup, whether there was concern that one of the dogs might jump off whilst on the road. The reply was swift. "it's ok, i don't want a dog that's stupid enough to jump off a moving pickup"

He sounds alot like me fadder when I was boy growing up. Same thing I heard him yelling to me mudder with us youngsters out in the pan. Luckily, I only fell out once and me fadder gave me a second chance since there was no foolin with me on account I had nothing he could see broke.