RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Riding in the truck box

Jump to Latest
1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Blipbug

· Registered
Joined
·
400 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I know that dog boxes are the safest way to ride, but Yellowknife is really small, 5 - 10 minutes to get anywhere and the speed limits are quite silly. 95% of the city is 45 km/h or LESS, and the other 5% is 60 or 70 km/h. Most people have their dogs ride in the truck box, and especially when the dogs are muddy and wet!

I am a little nervous doing this, and I was wondering if anyone else throws their dogs in the back of the truck for short rides, and if so what are some training strategies? I have heard of opening the cab's back window and holding the dogs leashes, this way you can correct them and control them. I have seen ties that go across the width of the box that the dogs are tied to, which keeps them centered. Or I could ride in the back with them, but this is only on back roads of course.

I don't really worry about them jumping out while I'm driving, but mostly if their excitement level is high and we're pulling up to the lake. I would also like to be able to leave them there while I run into the store or something.

I think I will do a lot of mock training in the yard. Just throw them in the box and make them 'stay'. Then add distractions....
 
#2 ·
Go with your instincts, do not do this unless it rides in a kennel. Many dog injuries occur this way. Even blindness from debrie hitting there eyes. The best training is to get a kennel and teach it to kennel on command. You can get a kennel for cheap on craigslist.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
I tried it once with my dog. I was only going a few hundred yards down the road and as soon as I took off down the road he jumped out and landed head first on the asphault.
I keep them in a crate now.
 
#4 ·
It is never safe to travel with your dog not being confined in some way, whether it be in the dog box, or in the cab of your truck. I will give you two examples of what I have seen to try and sway you to not do it:

1. I was driving down the road (55 MPH - 4 lane highway). There was a young golden (say about 12-14 months old) and he was not secured in any way. He had free run of the back of the truck. He would run from one side to the other, looking around the side of the truck. He would then put his two front paws on top of the cab, many times in the short 2 miles I was there. If the drive of the truck had to make a quick decision and jolted the truck, that dog would have gone flying.

2. I was driving down the same road, heading to a training day, after meeting the group for breakfast. I was driving in one lane, while the truck was driving in the left side lane. He had a German Shep in the back of his truck, unsecured. Without warning, the German Shep jumped out of the truckbed (while driver was going 55-60 MPH) in front of me. Of course I hit the dog, because I did not have a chance to react. Unfortunately, there was one less dog after the incident, because damage was too bad.

It does not matter how fast you are going. Combine that with the dog jumping down 4 foot, into the front of a moving vehicle and to me, the slight chance he might jump out is enough for me to never have my boy ride in the back of the truck, outside of the dog box.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I'm a bit uncertain since you mentioned a box.

To be perfectly clear, are you asking what we think about having a dog ride loose in the bed of the truck where it might jump or fall out, slide around on turns and on sudden stops, and perhaps get hit in the eyes by sand, bugs or particles in the air?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#6 ·
It only take a couple extra seconds to put them in a crate. It's not really a speed issue. I think it's more of a stopping and starting issue and if you're dog is expecting it. Plus a new dog you don't know what they are going to do.
 
#8 ·
Just ask a friend of mine how much a total hip replacement and two other surgeries for rod placement in the lower leg cost. Dog was thrown out of back of pickup at only 15mph. Impact with road and to add insult to injury was also rolled underneath the pickup following and run over by the car following after that. Not to mention the fact that the car then rear ended the pickup that slammed on the breaks in front of it.
 
#11 ·
My friend had her dog tied in the back of the truck. Thought the rope was short enough. She jumped out, got run over by the back wheel and because of the rope was drug for a little while. Bailey now has three legs and she was less than a year old when this happened. Never ever in the back of the truck unless in a crate with my hoodlums.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#13 ·
My buddy that breed my Brittany had the his dog tied in the back of the truck on the way home from trainning. She was tied though the sliding window with enough leash to just reach her hear to the bed sides ( becuase of an accident that happened to my fist Brittany when my dad was incharge). My buddy left the dog for 5 min. came back not sure why or how but she was hung over the side of the truck head at top of the bed side.

I will never ever have a dog in the bed of a truck without being in a crate that is tied down! Just my opinion base on my past experience.
 
#16 ·
IF you do put the dog in the bed of the truck, consider using two leashes/ropes to secure him in the middle of the bed so he can't jump out the sides or back.

I guess if you had a tie-down hook in the middle of the truck bed that could work, too. Just don't give him too much rope.
 
#17 ·
At the very least, either use a tied down crate or put an aluminum or fiberglass top (with ventilation windows) on the truck to enclose them.

In addition to the risk of jumping out or hanging themselves if tied, a loose dog in the back of a truck can be thrown if you are hit by someone else at no fault of your own or lose control for some reason. Even a low speed collision can be fatal if they aren't secured.

I cringe everytime I see a dog running loose in the back of a truck. Just wouldn't do it myself. Too much to lose.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
About this Discussion
16 Replies
16 Participants
Last post:
Dan Wegner
RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF
posts
1.5M
members
36K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to retriever owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, training, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Retriever Training Forum Event Information AKC Field Trials Equipment, Gear & Miscellaneous Classifieds Training