Securing Dog in Jeep

[gorillamel]

I searched the forum (all of it, as well as just the Jeep section) and was not really able to find much on securing a dog inside the vehicle. Firstly, I should start with that my dog rides in the front passenger seat, not in the back cargo area. Her whiny anxiety grates on my nerves if I let her stay in the back, and since I am not married and have no kids, the dog is my main travel buddy.

I have a 2-door JK that I primarily use for exploring, as well as my daily driver. It is not a rock crawler by any means, but if I find a trail that looks super jostly and fun, I'll probably give it a go. Wherein lies the problem- I am gradually introducing off-roading to my dog, a 4-5yr pitbull rescue ~40-50lbs that I've had about a year now. She seems to be doing very well, so far. But I'd like to strap her in so that she's not tossed around as much and not smacking her face into my glove box as often as she does.

The research I found applies mostly to securing a dog in the back area. It seems a lot of people utilise a leash and the sound roll bar or the child restraint system in the back (like this one: http://usak9outfitters.com/CRS.htm). I found almost nothing for front seat securing applications. I even checked other Jeep/Wrangler forums and came up with the same- back seat/cargo areas.

Since she is a Ruffwear whore, I was thinking of getting the Front Range Harness and figuring out a way of securing the front pass seat belt across/through it. I am aware of the detriment of the possibility of the airbags deploying and either severely injuring or killing her with her being in the front, but that is a risk I am willing to take at this time. Does anyone have any experience with this harness and a seat belt?

At this point, she basically goes wherever I go (when available). Yes, she even kayaks and has her own K9 PFD.

Right now she is my training buddy for the Spartan Races coming up.

To summarise, what implements do others out there use for their dog in the front seat of their vehicles to better secure them from jostling while off roading? I'm open to most suggestions people have to offer.
Thanks!

 

[k9lestat]

being a k9 officer i am unsure how to answer you question. i understand wanting to secure the dog better but they dont sit like we do and if you were to roll over, anything that allowed enough movement for the dog to be comfortable would surely not keep him her in the vehicle completely. personally having vaulted a patrol car with my partner on board, i would have to recommend a kennel of some sort. but ridding like i think you probably do, i would just recommend some sort of platform where the dog has more room than just a seat. maybe even get a piece of padded mat, like a tumbling mat, and place it where it covers the back, bottom and dash board area. but a flat platform would be less stress on his hips and shoulders.

 

[lysol]

I have a few of these laying around. Try to keep one in each vehicle. For some reason, Bamboo is the only brand that had a nice/thick buckle. All the cheapie ones on Amazon had really thin metal that people said wouldn't "buckle" properly. With that said.... I believe Bamboo went out of business. I managed to find mine on Amazon though from a private seller.

Bamboo Seatbelt Leash

http://theteacherspets.blogspot.com/2011/04/4-reasons-why-i-love-my-bamboo-quick.html

 

[WininUtah]

We had a bad wreck two years ago, our dog was untethered in the back and lived to tell. We cart wheeled and the hardtop was torn off, dog was thrown free, so I'm against tethering. Our dog, now dogs, love to ride in the back seat, they won't come to the passenger seat even when it's empty. I'd suggest that with time you dog will get the hang of it, they're pretty good at finding something that works.

Love the kayak shot!

 

[dddonkey]

I never tether my dog, she stays in the back seat but is free to move around. She only comes to the front when told to but she prefers the room in the back. The other reason she is not tethered is she is my service animal and needs to be free if I fall while getting out of my vehicle to help me get up (only happens once thankfully).

 

[DallasJKU]

I never tether my dog, she stays in the back seat but is free to move around. She only comes to the front when told to but she prefers the room in the back. The other reason she is not tethered is she is my service animal and needs to be free if I fall while getting out of my vehicle to help me get up (only happens once thankfully).

I also leave my dog in back seat. I also run a divider net so he won't be thrown into the windshield or out the top if I have it off. I have slammed him into back of my front seats 100's of times and while he looks at me like ******, he has never been hurt. I usually have had time to say hold on buddy and he knows to brace himself.

 

[lysol]

You know... in my laziness I never use the harness.... lol. My little guy loves going from one window to the other and the strap prevents him from doing this... You guys are just giving me reasons to not use it lol.

 

[gorillamel]

I understand what all of you are saying and appreciate the feedback.

My dog is a rescue, so I do not know her history prior to getting her, but I am guessing she was not socialised (to human life in general) properly. With that said, she has major anxiety while riding in a vehicle. We give her relaxing/cool down pills to help her out, but for whatever reason, riding in the back causes her to bark and scream (literally). Riding in the front calms her down. Which is why I ask about riding in the front. Yeah, I could just let her be free up there and she has adapted very well while ascending or descending at angles, as well as bracing while going over something bumpy. I am also aware of the fall backs in case I wreck. She gets very excited to go riding and it something we enjoy doing together. I do not let her go into the back while I am driving due to her behavior that she exhibits back there.

The Police K9 is a good idea. I also work in LE and will ask my K9 coworkers what they think is a good idea. I had not thought of that. Thanks!

Thanks for the compliment on the photo. Just after that shot she jumped in the water and swam toward me and totally flipped my kayak. Little bugger. Water was 40F, only thing I could do was swim to shore (quickly) and laugh it off. Lesson learned while kayaking with a dog.

 

[digitaldelay]

Your Jeep's passenger airbag has OCS (Occupant Classification System). The airbag should deactivate when your 50lb. dog is detected on the seat. You may also have an light indicating this down by the hazard switch.

Cute dog, btw. She looks like a pirate.

Jason

 

[wmagill]

My dog doesn't ride tethered in my XJ. He gets anxious at low speeds but high speeds he settles into the rear seat and sleeps. Most of the time I crack both the rear windows at low speeds so he can sniff and look out the windows in his way.

 

[k9lestat]

given the anxiety you mentioned i wouldnt tether her. just a platform that covers the floor board so the platform covers the seat and the opening to the floor board all the way to the dash. itll give more room to get comfy and the dog will be happier.

 

[IdahoXJ]

Nice looking dog. My little dog (riding and camping buddy) is also a rescue dog and she has some anxiety while riding. My whole back seat area in my XJ is usually full of camping equipment and tools so back seat is not an option anyway. I put a cushion in the front seat so that she has better traction and footing. She is getting better at going with the roll and pitch of the vehicle in the rough stuff. It is sudden stops that worries me the most and I, as yet, don't have a good answer/solution to that. (loved the kayak story)

 

[gorillamel]

Thanks for the input everyone. The more I think about, the more you are correct on making a more stable and comfy platform in the front, i.e. filling up the passenger foot well for her.

I doped her up pretty good yesterday with cool down pills and she rode well in the back after running hills with me in the sand and mud for a while. It's always a work in progress getting her to relax better in the back. Only time and practice will tell.