How do you fit all your dogs in your vehicle?

[skittledoo]

Hey... I have a status on facebook about our rental car since our truck is in the shop. It kind of spawned off into a thread about fitting multiple dogs in vehicles and what vehicles seem to work well for people with multiple dogs.

So tell me, how do you (especially those of you with multiple dogs) set your dogs up in the car when you take them out and what kind of vehicle do you drive? If you want to post pics of how your crates fit in, etc or of your dogs in the car that's awesome too.

Right now we have a Ford F-150 and it's a squeeze with the dogs since it just has a small extended space behind the main seats. Usually Bamm wears a seatbelt harness in my past vehicles, but in the truck he just lays behind our seats and Cricket currently has the middle section space between mine and Josh's seats. There was a middle seat, but we took it out because it blocked a lot of the space that Bamm needed in the back... I'lll have to get them in there and take a photo to explain.

I'm planning to get another vehicle within the next year and I'd like to get something bigger since we're going to be planning for kids and since we're likely going to be adding another dog or two after we get back to VA once we can afford to do so. I have no idea what to get and I was really thinking about a Ford Escape, but wanted to hear input from you guys on how you setup your vehicles to fit your dogs

 

[MyHorseMyRules]

With the GMC Sierra and the F-250, Boone or Tempie ride shotgun. The other two ride in the back seat. In the F-250, all three can ride comfortably in the back seat if a human needs to ride with me. On my search team, the members that don't have trucks set up two crates side by side in the back of their SUVs.

 

[Specsy]

I drive a Jetta MK3 and both my dogs sit in the back seat with seat belt harnesses on. My significant other and I sit in the front.

If there is more than 2 people travelling in my car and the dogs have to come with for any reason, Leo sits in the front and addition people + Bella sit at the back. The reason for this is Leo slobbers like crazy and he is also huger than Bella, and Bella can sit comfortably on someone's lap if needed. Yes she is a Rottweiler but yes she is also tiny.

 

[Beanie]

I have a Chevy Impala and the backseat is large enough that I can put two N2N soft crates in the back, back to back with the openings facing opposite doors. Having a four door was ESSENTIAL when I was looking for a car so I could put crates in the backseat easily. If I have three dogs, though, it will start to be a problem unless I crate two together or put somebody in the passenger seat (and then I can't have a passenger...)

Basically I have decided if I get three dogs and am competing with all three, I'll have to consider another vehicle. I love my Impala though so if at all possible I'm hoping I can juggle two cars. =P I'm thinking the Chevy Equinox is where I might go if I absolutely have to, hopefully by the time I'm ready I can get a used one cheap enough. I really like the Equinox and it comes in a V6 which is important to me. It has plenty of room in the back hatch plus lots of backseat space also, and is sporty enough to still be attractive rather than "mom SUV."

 

[stardogs]

Currently I have a Subaru Impreza and 3 dogs, all of which I crate when we travel. I have three setups for it:

#1

^The tan crate is a 36" airline crate, the grey crate is a 30" mesh crate. This set up fits two dogs (Z and Kes) in the 36" crate, one dog in the 32" crate (Maggie when this pic was taken, now Aeri), and two humans, one who is 6' tall. LOL

#2

^The black wire crate is 36" and the tan mesh is 30". The tan mesh has since been replaced with either a 28" wire or 32" plastic crate. Same capacity as the prior set up but less room for our luggage. This is how I usually pack the car for trips with just myself.

#3

^wire crate on the back seat is 36", in the cargo area is a 28" crate which can be replaced by a 32" plastic crate as needed. Same dog situation, but this set up allows me to leave the back seat up, thus making the crates more secure during sudden stops. This does cut down on luggage space a LOT, so it's my normal day to day set up, but not ideal for long trips, especially with a human companion.

With Aeri getting larger and my business building, a new vehicle is imminent (plus this one is a '99 and has over 165,000 miles on it). Top pick of the foreign cars is a Toyota 4Runner, top pick of domestics is a 2010 or newer Ford Explorer, both chosen for their cargo space, gas mileage, and several other factors.

 

[Shai]

My 3 dogs, who travel all together at least once a week (usually more) and individually or two at a time more often than that, fit in my 4-door mid-sized sedan along with hiking/trialing gear...though it can feel like a can of sardines at times. Haven't had to lean on a door to lose it yet so I guess we're okay for now.

I will likely end up with a mid-sized SUV or minivan one of these days, when my ol' girl rolls her last mile.

 

[Ivy]

I have a Mazda Tribute (pretty much the same as an Escape)
I don't crate any of my dogs. From the moment they come into my life they are thrown in the car to get used to it as I take them pretty much wherever I go, except work (sometimes)
The seats are pretty much always down and they all just lay there. Tynan, Timber and Dallas LOVE car rides and are very mellow in the car. If they get up and block the mirrors I just need to tell them once to lay down and they do. Hank doesn't come often (only to the vet and the odd time the park) because he gets REALLY car sick and doesn't enjoy car rides at all because of it. If he didn't get car sick he would be part of the entourage.

For the most part it's just me and the dogs in the car so they take turns sitting in the passenger seat up front with me (except for Dallas, he wouldn't fit even if he wanted to, lol) With the seats down I can fit Tynan, Timber, Dallas easily with room to spare. No crates here.

 

[Specsy]

I would recommend a station wagon... with a dog gate. I have seen a lot of set ups for SUV's etc and it works, but a station wagon is smallish yet practical as well, and the new honda accord station wagon doesn't look half bad

ETA its just a general comment....nothing more

 

[stardogs]

My dogs would probably be fine without crates but it's for safety reasons, not manners issues...same reason I don't just throw a dog gate up and call it good. Different strokes for different folks (and situations), though.

 

[Taqroy]

I have a 96 Honda Accord and can fit our dogs, me and Matt, and our luggage with the dogs secured (seat belt harnesses). When we have to add another person Tipper generally rides on my lap. Sooner or later (probably later) we're going to get an SUV type vehicle. It has to wait till at least one set of school loans are paid off though and that won't be for awhile. We're going to need the extra room since we're planning for kids and I don't expect to ever have less than two dogs. Plus, when we have kids we'll need the extra 4 wheel drive vehicle to go places with family...since most of it involves 4 wheeling in the mountains and there's not enough room in their truck.

 

[*blackrose]

I have an '11 Honda Civic. I just chuck the dogs into the back seat. LOL The back seat sits two easily, and three could probably ride back there if they were all well behaved. Chloe gets snarky when dogs are in her personal bubble, so her back there with Rose and Kiba would be a nightmare. So, when I transport three dogs, two go in the backseat and one sits shotgun. If anyone wants to ride in the car with me, it IS possible to fit three humans and three dogs in....but it is very uncomfortable for everyone but the driver.

If I were to crate them, I'd have room for one crate (with one dog) in the backseat. I think I might be able to fold my rear seat down and use the trunk space, too, but I'm not sure if my trunk is tall enough to accommodate a crate. That might be useful for when I want to cram three dogs in the backseat, though.

 

[SaraB]

I drive a 1995 VW GTI and can fit the 3 dogs plus myself and hubby in there. The seats fold flat in the back so there is actually plenty of room for the danes and Zuma sits in the front seat.

 

[Specsy]

My dogs would probably be fine without crates but it's for safety reasons, not manners issues...same reason I don't just throw a dog gate up and call it good. Different strokes for different folks (and situations), though.

My dogs go uncrated, they have never ever been in a crate their entire lives...and we really do fine without it. Never needed it desperately. Things are alright with the safety harness on I assume. I mean I drive with a seatbelt on, not in a crate :dunno:... Really I think the safety harness is sufficient and I really think a dog gate would be okay too.

 

[stardogs]

Alicia - I just prefer restraint that doesn't rely on car doors staying shut, perhaps that's a better way to put it. I don't personally use seat belts because when we travel it's to dog events and I'll need crates anyway (plus I do know that Z will twist herself up in a seat belt lol), but if they are crash tested seatbelts then I'd def consider them a great alternative to a crate!

eta: In general I average about 300 miles/week with a dog in the car, so almost 15,000 miles/year! That means that my dogs could be considered at higher risk of being involved in an accident than most dogs that ride to the park a few times a week, and that contributes to my concerns about safety.

 

[CaliTerp07]

I just throw 'em in the back seat. Lucy generally puts her front paws on the console between the driver/passenger, and her back paws on the back seat. The second dog (usually a foster) has the whole backseat.

I know people don't agree with leaving your dog free in the car, but it's what works for us. We'd never take her anywhere if she had to be belted/crated to go. She stresses and freaks out with either, despite numerous behaviorist appointments and crate games dvd sessions. She looooooooooves riding free though, so we continue that way.

 

[Blue_Dog]

We free ride as well but I get nervous every time that Sam is in the car in case something happens. I may get a seat belt harness one of these times though I don't know how well that would fly with Sam. He's never needed to be crated, even as a puppy he was fine to free roam in the house. We don't take Sam with us very often though.

 

[Psyfalcon]

I remain entirely unconvinced that a crate would do any good in a crash, especially wire ones.

So, the dogs sit in the back seat. If they try to ride in the front, they get an elbow shoving them back until they relent.

 

[Brattina88]

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee... so I have plenty of room, for multiple dogs. There's room for at least two crates in the back, or I could fold the seats down and probably get 4 crates back there lol
I also have one of those barrier things, but I've never used it (yet). Usually the girls are harnessed in the back seat, or free ride if its a fairly short trip. When Missy comes always goes in the back, there's more room for her back there

 

[JacksonsMom]

Well, luckily I just have one small dog. But my Jeep Patriot could fit more. All the seats fold down which is nice. I've traveled with up to 3 dogs at once and also with a Rottweiler. He fit comfortably in the back.

Jackson rides in the car with me practically 7 days a week. I have a Snoozer dog booster/car seat that he gets strapped into. I love and he loves it! It works for us. It takes up a whole seat though... if I got a second small dog and had to have two car seats, it would leave no back room for other passengers, which would suck. The one I have now could possibly fit another small dog but it'd have to be smaller than Jackson. Generally I only have me and someone else in my car but sometimes I have others.

 

[Lizmo]

Currently I'm driving a '99 Ford Taurus Wagon. I imagine I can fit about 3 crates (32" plastic crates) with all seats folden down in the back.

After college when I will need to purchase a new car, I've got my eye on a Toyota Sequoia. The next car I buy, I want to be able to last atleast 5-8 years. And I see myself with 3+ dogs then.