How 2 keep dogs in back of pickup safely?

[Rawhide Kid]

I used to have a pickup with a topper on it - sold the pickup some years back, but I liked and didn't like the topper. Liked it when I needed to put a ton of stuff in the back - didn't need to tie it down or worry about it getting wet. But I didn't like the diminished rear visibility because of it.
 
Now we have a new (to us) pickup and our new (to us) popup. We also have two dogs. No room for the dogs in the pickup (two adults, 4 kids!!) so the two dogs (they are not small) need to go in the back.
 
I am tempted to get a topper, and may eventually do so for a lot of reasons, but meanwhile, we want to get out with our new Popup ASAP!!!
 
Ok - long intro to small question: How do we safely tie the dogs in the back? I have loops in each corner for tying things down and can run a rope/chain between them and then to a leash to their collars, but that would not prevent them from jumping over the edge - not that I think they would. One is fairly old and quiet, but the other is a young 1 year old pup with lots of energy. Not sure what she'd do for certain.
 
A chain with a loop in the center with enough leash to let them "see the edge" but not jump over?
 
Anyone have any other thoughts? I have about 2 weeks til we hit the road.
 
Also worried about the heat/wind. A hot 105 degree wind could really heat-stroke a dog back there. But a topper might be even worse - little chance for the rear windows to be open to pass some a/c air back to them. Maybe keep the coolers right next to them?
 
Thanks for any thoughts.
 
RK

[Kelly]

Crates.

I wouldn't use anything hooked to their collars.  You don't want to take the risk that they would jump out.

[Azusateach]

In a nutshell, you should NEVER tie dogs into the open bed of a pickup.  Aside from the obvious safety hazards to both the dogs and anyone unlucky enough to be behind you, should the dogs jump, the wind can damage their eyes and ears.  

Think about it ... how would you like to be relegated to the bed of a pickup, going 65 mph down a busy freeway?

If you're going to invest in a pop-up and want to take your dogs with you, then spend the money to give them a safe place to ride.  It's the least you can do for your pets.

[Igetit]

Another vote for crates. They'll still get the fresh air without the risk of hurting themselves by tying their collars down. I would also try to provide shade and water in that kind of heat, and stop to check on them occasionally.

Maybe you could weave something through the top of the crate to create shade, or throw a beach towel over the top, gather up the sides and wrap a bunjee cord around it. (Would be easier to draw than explain, but I think you get the idea...)

[Azusateach]

Another vote for crates. They'll still get the fresh air without the risk of hurting themselves by tying their collars down. I would also try to provide shade and water in that kind of heat, and stop to check on them occasionally.

Maybe you could weave something through the top of the crate to create shade, or throw a beach towel over the top, gather up the sides and wrap a bunjee cord around it. (Would be easier to draw than explain, but I think you get the idea...)

Crates might be okay when the temperature is less than 80 degrees.  But, if I'm reading the original post correctly, the owner lives in Arizona, where temps are well over 100 for many days on end.  Even with wind blowing through a crate the dogs will quickly get dehydrated and overheated.  If it's not possible to provide them with a safe place to ride you might just have to board them while you're gone.

Like it or not, when you have pets, you have to think about what's best for them, not what's most convenient or least expensive for you.  They didn't ask to be brought into your home, so don't treat them like some unwanted appendage who will make do in spite of your ... problems/issues.

As you can see, I have some pretty passionate feelings about this.  People who own pets often don't realize how much they're signing up for, both in terms of financial commitment and time.  If it's too expensive or inconvenient to properly care for the dogs, then it might be better to find a rescue group that will place the dogs with someone willing to invest whatever is necessary to insure the dogs' well-being.  I'd rather see a person admit that they're not capable of providing for their pet & give it to a rescue group than continue to keep it in conditions that are abusive & neglectful.

[wavery]

I'd suggest getting the topper ASAP. Sounds like you really need one.

I just bought a P/U and I'm thinking about getting a shell for it. We have a hard tonneau cover over our bed. I thought that it was really cool when we bought the truck but now I'm realizing that not much will fit in the bed of the truck with it on. I can't even put the generator back there and close the lid.

If I had a dog or 2, I would definitely put a shell on it right away. However, even with a shell on the truck, dogs need to be restrained in the event of an accident (IMHO).

[wynot]

I used to have a pickup with a topper on it - sold the pickup some years back, but I liked and didn't like the topper. Liked it when I needed to put a ton of stuff in the back - didn't need to tie it down or worry about it getting wet. But I didn't like the diminished rear visibility because of it.
 
 
RK

If you don't put the cap on it, I would say use crates.
 
But make sure that the dogs can at least be in the shade (not an open style crate.)  If we had a pickup, I wouldn't be inclined to put either of our slightly brain stupid dogs in the bed unsecured, and certainly not relying on a chain or harness (they'd pull to the end of it and there would be a dog hanging off the side of the truck).
 
That said, I wouldn't put the dogs back there in very hot weather - period.  All of our dogs have liked to travel with us, regardless of heat.  We couldn't easily not have them come with us if we were camping.  But like kids, you're responsible for their well-being.

[Rawhide Kid]

Wow - i've never been flamed so badly in any forum. Thanks folks. My intent was relative to the safety of our dogs. Perhaps some of you missed that point in my subject line.
 
A few points to make before I sign off forever from Popup Times.
 
I actually have ridden in the back of a pickup many times and have enjoyed it immensely - even 65 mph+. Although some bleeding hearts feel it is unsafe to do so, some families require their kids to ride in the back because their pickup is their ONLY mode of transportation for both work and non-work travel. Unsafe? Certainly - but this is (I think) America where we can choose to do unsafe things to a certain point without others regulating your actions.
 
There are several (about months in Arizona where the weather is very pleasant - a dog could easily ride in the back of a pickup without getting heat stroke. We actually have a crate, but dogs like being out in the open in my opinion - especially if they are in a spot in the back where their eyes are shielded by the cab of the truck from wind, dust, and other particles. I had also thought of, in warmer months, of buying a block of ice or 4, wrap in towels, and put them near the dogs to help them keep cooler.
 
My intent of tying them in the back would be so that they would be tied to the center of the back - near the rear window of the cab - where they could not even get their hind legs off the side - so no fear of them falling out and being drug or strangled. Guess some of you simply don't understand that visually - but that's ok. I won't judge you unlike you have judged me.
 
Lastly - we take very good care of our pets. I wouldn't spend thousands of dollars for expensive surgery to save an elderly dog - unlike some of you it sounds like - but I do respect and care for my dogs (and kids) and respect others' opinions and how they care for their animals. We take them in for fairly regular checkups, buy not-the-cheapest food, and they are indoor dogs even though they are larger dogs. Unlike many people, I do NOT consider them family, but do very much appreciate the comfort they bring to my family. Oh, and I did cry when our dog of 10+ years died last year of cancer. Don't call me a hard-ass because I'm not.
 
I thought I asked for opinions but feel instead I was judged severely as being an "oh my gawd an irresponsible dog-hater who abuses dogs by chaining them in the back of a pickup in 110 degree heat while traveling 65 mph+ down the road while they could jump out and be strangled by the chain used to chain them to the truck! He won't even pay the $400/week (yes that's the cost) to kennel the poor dogs rather than torture them with a trip to the wonderful outdoors!"
 
Wow. Thanks folks. Much appreciated. Oh and Azusateach - good luck to you. I think you should definitely tone it down. Just my opinion of course so take it for what it is.
 
Good luck everyone. Life's too short for this garbage.

[saskcamper]

I hope the original poster is still reading, as there are harnesses/tethers designed specifically for dogs riding in an open truck bed. I've seen them in use and they appear to be very well designed.

http://www.canineauto.com/truckrestraint.htm

As to keeping them cool, I think a good option would be ice. I sometimes freeze 2 litre pop bottles filled with water for the dogs on real hot days - they'd rest their throat area on the bottle - I think it cools the blood as it circulates. (I think this was on the breeder's recommendation). Pop bottles might not be the best option for travel as they'd roll around in the back of the pickup but I'm sure something similar/safe could be figured out or even duct taped down for the trip.

Our truck has a topper with side&front venting and we still worry about the dogs and how hot it can get back there (and our heat is nothing compared to what you deal with). Early morning travel is usually on our agenda.

Best of luck.

[Azusateach]

My guess is that Mr. Arizona will be back, so when he comes, here's a bit of research from an international animal protection group ...  not judging, just communicating what has been known by animal rights people for a long time.

Passion, yes.  Somebody has to stand up for voiceless animals.

Dogs in Trucks

[wavery]

Rawhide Kid,

I can understand how you might feel that you were being judged but believe me, no one here (especially azusateach) is the type of person that would do that.

Concerned, passionate and loving.....yes. Judging......no.

I am in my 60s. When I was a teenager, it was a blast riding in the back of a pick-up. When I was about 25, my cousin was killed and 2 of his friends were severely injured while riding in the back of my uncle's P/U. My uncle was driving and he is a very responsible person. He hit a pothole wrong (35MPH) and all three teenagers were thrown from the back. My cousin went into oncoming traffic.

That is why I made the statement, "dogs need to be restrained in the event of an accident (IMHO)".

I'm sorry that you found us judgmental but I know some of these people personally (I camp with them), The fact is, (IMO) you are being judgmental of us. I'd hate to see you leave our forum over this. You seem to be a very reasonable person and you don't flame back when you feel "Flamed".

I've been criticized on this forum because I had a TV that some found to be irresponsible. I didn't take it personally. Everybody has a right to express their own opinion and I appreciated that concern and tried to learn from it.'It actually made for some healthy discussions. I'm really glad that I stuck around because my wife and I have formed some good relationships with some REALLY NICE people. I get the feeling that you might fit in well with this group, if you try not to take things so personally. Everyone (including you) have a right to their own opinion and in the end of the day, you may learn something here. You may also ignore any and all advise that you find here and that's OK too.

The important thing is ........GO CAMPING!!!!!!!!!!

[oldmoose]

In a nutshell, you should NEVER tie dogs into the open bed of a pickup. Aside from the obvious safety hazards to both the dogs and anyone unlucky enough to be behind you, should the dogs jump, the wind can damage their eyes and ears.

Actually the State of California requires any animal that is in the bed of a truck to be secured so they cannot jump out. Unfortunately, I've seen dogs not secured, but mostly see them secured so they cannot jump out. Usually see some sort of leash or chain.
 
Moose

[wynot]

Wow - i've never been flamed so badly in any forum. Thanks folks. My intent was relative to the safety of our dogs. Perhaps some of you missed that point in my subject line.
 
My intent of tying them in the back would be so that they would be tied to the center of the back - near the rear window of the cab - where they could not even get their hind legs off the side - so no fear of them falling out and being drug or strangled. Guess some of you simply don't understand that visually - but that's ok. I won't judge you unlike you have judged me. .

I hope you didn't think I was flaming you, but here's the challenge.  If you secure them tight enough (that they can't get to the sides or rear), that's not fair to them either because they need to be able to move around a little.  A dog's immediate reaction to a chain or strap is to move about 6 inches past the end of it.  Every dog I have even been around or owned, has tended to strangle themselves by pulling on the end of the lead when given the free rein to do so.  We've always had dogs (Dobermans) with us in our family, and they've always travelled with us.
 

Lastly - we take very good care of our pets. I wouldn't spend thousands of dollars for expensive surgery to save an elderly dog - unlike some of you it sounds like - but I do respect and care for my dogs (and kids) and respect others' opinions and how they care for their animals.

As a veteran of last ditch canine medical surgery for liver cancer, nasal cancer, and cardiomyopathy? (heart problems) for a couple of our Dobermans, I know where you are coming from on the comment.
 
I was wrongly accused (AND REPORTED) to the authorities for leaving our Doberman in a car with the windows open with a full water bowl of cold water for less than 3 minutes a number of years ago.  How do I know how long?  Because I put the water out in the bowl, opened the windows, ran into the fast food restaurant directly to the counter where I placed the order and told my wife that I needed to go back out to the car to take care of the dog.  I wasn't there long enough to even pick up the food.
 
In that brief period, this brain-dead woman was on her cell phone calling the authorities saying that this dog was trapped in the car, had obviously been there for a while, because it was barking.  She told them that she had been there for 10 minutes and had not seen the owners.  The dog was barking because she was near the car, that was how it defended its area.  The dog would give a warning bark when somebody was near the car.  The fool had stuck her head in after that and really caused havoc.
 
Fortunately, the authorities ignored her - might of been because a very healthy, very tall, 110 lb Doberman came flying out of the car when I opened the door, smiling sweetly at her as he headed right for her and she hung up and ran!
 
Oh, this dog was an SPCA rescued dog that we had gone through a lot of mileage and paperwork to get AND we spent a LOT of money trying to resolve the heart problems that eventually caused its premature death.