Transporting the dog in a RR
Discussion
Dear all,
I just got my first dog (which was really a cleverly disguised ruse to get myself a RR - 3.6 Vogue TDV8)
I've had a look at how to kit out the back to transport the dog - and there is a bewildering amount of things on the market. It would be good to hear from someone who has actually done this so I don't get the wrong stuff.
I don't really want a fixed cage - thinking more of bars to separate the boot area from the passenger area - and some removable covers that will protect the seat backs, sides and carpets from the surprising number of fluids which the (lovely) hound can manufacture.
Any tips gratefully accepted.
K
I just got my first dog (which was really a cleverly disguised ruse to get myself a RR - 3.6 Vogue TDV8)
I've had a look at how to kit out the back to transport the dog - and there is a bewildering amount of things on the market. It would be good to hear from someone who has actually done this so I don't get the wrong stuff.
I don't really want a fixed cage - thinking more of bars to separate the boot area from the passenger area - and some removable covers that will protect the seat backs, sides and carpets from the surprising number of fluids which the (lovely) hound can manufacture.
Any tips gratefully accepted.
K
Can't help with the bars (I ended up getting the full-length Land Rover dog guard for our Defender, but well worth checking out the website of 'Over the top' -they make covers for load bays of most cars -think they use a FFRR for their adverts. www.overthetop.co.uk . Have used them for the Landy (custom made covers for the backseats) and for our previous car -Merc ML.
hatchbag is an absolute godsend in my D3, side panels, tailgate etc., would have been scratched up in no time without it never mind sand and other detritus be it dog-carried or not.
Ours has jumped between rear and rear seats when left in the car for any time so a dog guard I think is useful - even if not considering the safety angle of a prang and a lab launched through the cabin at xx MPH....
Ours has jumped between rear and rear seats when left in the car for any time so a dog guard I think is useful - even if not considering the safety angle of a prang and a lab launched through the cabin at xx MPH....
Get yerself a Dog Bag http://www.roofbox.co.uk/dog-bag/
I have one in my X5 for my hound....he's a Eurasier (don't ask) which is about Lab sized. Superb at keeping dog mess from anywhere else in the car. Can be folded down into a backback (not that I ever do) when not in use or you can just fold it up when putting other stuff int he boot.
My hound has travelled in it from when he wa a puppy, he just jumps up into it now and is happy as larry in there.
Job done.
I have one in my X5 for my hound....he's a Eurasier (don't ask) which is about Lab sized. Superb at keeping dog mess from anywhere else in the car. Can be folded down into a backback (not that I ever do) when not in use or you can just fold it up when putting other stuff int he boot.
My hound has travelled in it from when he wa a puppy, he just jumps up into it now and is happy as larry in there.
Job done.
I've got a half-height dog guard to prevent the hound jumping over into the rear seats, and a Hatchbag to cover all the carpety bits throughout the boot. I finished it off with a big rectangular dog bed from Costco (fits the RR perfectly!) - this is chucked in the garage if I want to go shopping or whatever. The Hatchbag + bed combination is handy for keeping the car clean after walks in muddy woods, swimming in the river (her, not me!), etc.
I've found this combination works really well. The dog is safe and comfortable in the back, any passengers in the rear seats can travel without being dribbled on or snored at, and I can get on with driving without distraction. Though I still haven't worked out how to stop her pressing her nose up against the windows.
The dog loves this setup. If I go out to the car for anything, she comes with me and looks up hopefully at the tailgate. If I don't open the tailgate, she drops hints by positioning herself next to whichever door is open and pretending she's going to get in, although she knows better than to try.
I've found this combination works really well. The dog is safe and comfortable in the back, any passengers in the rear seats can travel without being dribbled on or snored at, and I can get on with driving without distraction. Though I still haven't worked out how to stop her pressing her nose up against the windows.
The dog loves this setup. If I go out to the car for anything, she comes with me and looks up hopefully at the tailgate. If I don't open the tailgate, she drops hints by positioning herself next to whichever door is open and pretending she's going to get in, although she knows better than to try.
there was a thread on FFRR a while ago about the joint stress on larger dogs jumping from the tailgate... Might be worth considering a ramp?
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic11888.html?hig...
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic11888.html?hig...
I've the RR 'half' (as in top half that blocks off the gap between the top of the back seats and the roof) dog-guard in the back of a MY11 RR TDV8.
Works fine. We have FOUR dogs....but they're only all in there on short journeys. I've a defender 90 too and they all sit happily in the back together.
As someone else pointed out....that set up isn't ideal if you're involved in a bad accident...or roll a vehicle.
And I think (happy to be corrected) that technically they all need to be confined to their own cages when in vehicles these days?
Works fine. We have FOUR dogs....but they're only all in there on short journeys. I've a defender 90 too and they all sit happily in the back together.
As someone else pointed out....that set up isn't ideal if you're involved in a bad accident...or roll a vehicle.
And I think (happy to be corrected) that technically they all need to be confined to their own cages when in vehicles these days?
Just bought a Range Rover. I have 2 dogs (very small). In the Porsche they sit on the passenger seat on top of a booster seat, with harnesses and seat belt clips.
I recently found this dog booster seat http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solvit-Pet-Booster-Seat-Ju... (although it doesn't fit in the bucket seats of the Porsche but I hope it will fit in the Range Rover) - it is brilliant, very sturdy (the seat belt goes through the booster like a child seat)... then you clip the dog harness to the clip in the bed. If you are interested in getting one you need to take note of your seat type (head rest or not).
My boys like to see out but have short legs!
I do not like the idea of the dogs flying around the car in the event of a shunt I want them secure just like I would if I had a child - I have never had room for a cage in the Porsche... they like riding up front anyway. I will not strap them in using the clip on the collar as they would snap their necks in heavy braking..... will see how they get on in the new car
I think they will love it!
There are some great products out there and some shockers!
I recently found this dog booster seat http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solvit-Pet-Booster-Seat-Ju... (although it doesn't fit in the bucket seats of the Porsche but I hope it will fit in the Range Rover) - it is brilliant, very sturdy (the seat belt goes through the booster like a child seat)... then you clip the dog harness to the clip in the bed. If you are interested in getting one you need to take note of your seat type (head rest or not).
My boys like to see out but have short legs!
I do not like the idea of the dogs flying around the car in the event of a shunt I want them secure just like I would if I had a child - I have never had room for a cage in the Porsche... they like riding up front anyway. I will not strap them in using the clip on the collar as they would snap their necks in heavy braking..... will see how they get on in the new car
I think they will love it!There are some great products out there and some shockers!
Re joints lift your dog in and out until its 12 months old. Gets a PITA after about 6 months but its not worth the risk.
It can make training the dog to jump in and out a little more difficult but you will be doing the dog a favour long term.
As for guards, I have the LR pull up guard in mine - but its always down as my dog needs to be able to get over if required (protection dog).
I have a cheap e-bay boot liner which is L322 fitted, I replace it once a year.
Also a RR specific tip - make sure your dog never jumps out without the tail gate fully down - if your dog rushes out and forces the tail gate down with its paws your thumb or finger that you used to press the release can easily slide into the lock and there is some VERY sharp plasic in there and my wife found this out the hard way with a very serious cut to her thumb (went through the thumb nail!).
So now we put the dog into a sit stay whilst the tail gate is opened, once I am happy its down I will release the dog. As is good SOP anyway with larger or service dogs. HTH!
It can make training the dog to jump in and out a little more difficult but you will be doing the dog a favour long term.
As for guards, I have the LR pull up guard in mine - but its always down as my dog needs to be able to get over if required (protection dog).
I have a cheap e-bay boot liner which is L322 fitted, I replace it once a year.
Also a RR specific tip - make sure your dog never jumps out without the tail gate fully down - if your dog rushes out and forces the tail gate down with its paws your thumb or finger that you used to press the release can easily slide into the lock and there is some VERY sharp plasic in there and my wife found this out the hard way with a very serious cut to her thumb (went through the thumb nail!).
So now we put the dog into a sit stay whilst the tail gate is opened, once I am happy its down I will release the dog. As is good SOP anyway with larger or service dogs. HTH!
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff