Recently, in another post, the subject of transporting dogs in the bed of a truck was discussed and I am curious to know what others think about it.

Do you think it's safe?
If you are an owner who does this how do you restrain them?
Are there any laws in your state prohibiting it?

Opinions please...

__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!

should i post in this or not since we just talked about it? lol

i WAS JUST gonna do a how do you transport your dogs thread haha

__________________
Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts

Great minds think a like! lol

__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!

ive had friends that have done it, he used to secure the dogs leash to his headache rack, depending on how the dog is trained it could be an easy way of transport if you just going around town, like no more than 30.

I always keep my dog in the cab though, i feel its safer, also she cant get hit with any branches or stuff like that unless she has her head out the window, and my other dog i would never even think of putting him in the bed, half the time i cant get him off of my lap when im driving.

__________________
2001 Mazda B-3000 CabPlus "FX2 Off Road"| 3.0 | 5 SPD | 3 In Spindle Lift | Belltech Shackles | UltraGauge |Alpine Head / 10" Kicker Setup | Air Box Mod | Add-A-Leaf| Thrush Welded B4 Rear Wheel | Kobalt Box | Cobra 19 DX IV | Custom PA Speaker | Front/Rear Tow Receiver | 2X Aux Lights | Hideaway Strobes | Back Rack Safety Rack | Amber LED Strobes | Blue LED Strobes | 265/75/R16 General Grabber AT2's

There's a tv show on global that i love called "at the end of my leash", the guy's a professional trainer and he had no problem with the dogs being in the bed of a truck, as long as they are properly secured and stay calm during the drive.

I've seen it done, but never tried it because our dog is as big as a rat.

lol

I have had dogs in the bed before. My current dog (the husky/lab) will not stay in the truck for shit. She rides up front. I have never really liked dogs to be tied, unless they cant reach the sides. Always afraid that they will jump over the truck and hang them selves!

But I guess it depends on the dog, some that I have had have no problem, others say F it!

----------

quick story tho... a couple summers ago me the wife and the kid and the dog went for a ride in my lifted truck. since it only sat two my wife had to ride in the back on top of the speaker box. Dog in the bed. We stopped at a pamida to grab a few things. I went in. After I entered the store and walked about 150ft I heard some comotion. I turned and there was my dog, she had followed me into the dang store! HAHA. My wife couldnt get her in time as she had to crawl out from the back and fold the seat forward and all that good stuff. It was very funny!

__________________
Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install

I personally think its stupid to do any kind of driving with your dog in the bed of your truck. Its definitely not safe for the dog. There's always the chance the dog will jump out, no matter how well they are trained. Not to mention if there was any kind of accident, the dog will be hurt really badly when in the bed of the truck. At least while in the cab, there is some protection.

For example, I was in a minor fender bender a few months back when I had my dog in the cab of my Ranger. He was so spooked by the incident, he managed to jump out of the drivers side door as soon as I opened it. I had no time to react. Then he bolted down the on ramp towards a very busy highway, where I proceeded to finally catch him before he was injured. It was an ugly situation, and I am pissed at myself because I put him in that situation. Its not his fault he got scared. I'm lucky he wasn't killed.

To be honest, I don't even take him in the Ranger anymore. If I have to bring him somewhere, I drive my Bronco and put him in the back. And overall, I try to limit the amount of driving I do with him. Only time he rides is if we're going to the vet, dog park, or if I'm going somewhere and have to bring him with me overnight.

When he does ride though he is a very good dog. He is quiet, lays down, and doesn't interfere with your driving. If your dog is the type of dog that interferes with your driving, the dog should be restrained in some way inside the cab.

__________________

Since I lived on a farm, it's practically the norm the dog to ride in the truck bed. But now that I live closer the city and a new puppy, I plan on training her to sit in the truck bed, but only when I'm drivng around on my land or a quick run into the city (speed limit is no more thatn 25 all through town). For longer rides, I'll either have her in the cab, or in a secured dog carrier in the bed.

__________________
2008 Ford Ranger Sport 4x4 4.0L
-5 speed, undercoating, tinted windows, keyless entry, 3.73 gears
-Pioneer AVIC-F700BT GPS w/10" Pioneer woofer
-3 inch Performance Accessories Body Lift
-33x12.5 r 15 BFG M/T KM2's

Is it safe---technically no. If you were to get in a wreck, the dog is not harnessed in the truck. even leashing to the truck would be unsafe to me.

On another note though, i ride my dog in the back. i drive careful and he is trained to ride in the back of a truck. I think it is ok as long as you dont wreck lol. I will never ride my dog in the front. quickest way to ruin a truck interior

__________________

i would never put my dog in the back of my truck. i would never forgive myself if something happened and my dog died as a result. our dog is like a member of the family and she rides in the cab with us.

__________________

ive allways trained my dogs to stay in the bed of the truck before i even teach them to sit. if your reeally scared about it get a dog box for your truck. also there is a law in a state i cant remember where but its ileagal to have your dog tied down.

__________________
2007 F150 FX4
5.4 trition
train horns
fabtech bumper with 3 kc

1995 ext. cab ranger
4x4 automatic
4in pipe bumber in rear
cop push bumper on the front
roll bars
30x9.50r15 wild country a/ts

for those of you saying its definitely not safe due to them falling out of the truck, i want to remind you guys taht people like me and others carefully measure the leashes to make sure that its not long enough for the dogs to go over the side.

this is my own cable for a german shepard anda mini doberman/beagle. (see pic) there is no way for them at all to get out of the truck unless they somehow learned to jump backwards but even then theyd fall back in the cab...ANYWAYS, yes if the dog is not trained to ride in the back of the truck then put him in the cab, my other dog i wont allow him to ride in the cab cuz he is obviously terrrified of it but the other two run out to the truck and sit at the tailgate waiting for me to open it...moral of the story is dont tell me they dont enjoy it! bullshit


as i told Kat there is no SAFE way to transport your dogs or even drive. but there are "safer ways" but it doesnt work for everyone. my mother has always transported her dogs like spoiled princesses with beds and stuff in the back seat but i dont especially since when i get REALLY MY OWN dogs they will be hunting dogs




----------

indiana laws: It shall be unlawful for any dog or cat to ride in the bed of a pickup truck on public streets, highways and/or rights-of-way unless the animal is securely caged and protected from the environment or unless the bed of the pickup truck is enclosed with a camper shell or other device and there is appropriate and sufficient ventilation.

(G.O. 169, 1999, § 3)


California (where i live) It is illegal to transport any dog in or on the back or bed of any open truck or other open vehicle while traveling on any county road, street, highway, lane or alley. Violation may result in citation, court appearance and fines of up to $250 per incident. EXCEPTION: Dogs may be transported if each animal is cross-tethered securely or the sides of the open vehicle are built up to a height of 46 inches (3-feet, 10-inches) (Vehicle Code Sec. 23117)

__________________
Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts

Well, gee, had I taken the time to look that up myself I would have already had my answer about my own state laws. I never thought to look because there is no mandated state law about kids or people riding in the beds of trucks for the state of Indiana!!!!! This is VERY FUNNY to me! Basically my state is saying "Hey go ahead and transport your CHILDREN cuz we don't care, but no way can you have your dog back there!" WOW!

__________________
1999 Dark Blue Ranger XLT Stepside 4x4 -V6 Flex fuel 3.0 liter Auto - Alloy wheels - P245/75R/16 BFG Land Terrain tires - L/S 4.10 - Tinted Windows -Power Mirrors and Windows - Cruise Control - Stock Head Lights - Black Altezza Tail Lights - Black Oval Nerf Bars - AVS Bugflector II - AVS In-Channel Vent Visors - Soft Snap-on Tonneau Cover
I might look small and yes, I'm a chick, but I shoot, throw, hit, and hunt. I highly suggest you don't mess with my truck!

may want to recheck the indiana law, i couldnt find an updated one cuz idk lol that was from 12 years ago'

and shit i just looked wow no state law..californias law is interesting lol

__________________
Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts

Yeah, but seriously, California has a law for EVERYTHING! haha. Oh yeah and everything is also known to California to cause cancer!

__________________
Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install