Alright, I am geeked! Picking up my 2008 polished Metal Metalic Tech package RDX this week. Previously had a Jeep Grand Cherokee ( hate and loathing after my third one) and making a much better choice for driving pleasure and RELIABILITY....lol

OK, back to my topic. What about the Dog??? I have a 100# yellow lab. Previously he sat in the back seat, but I got tired of cleaning out the dog hair for passengers. He recently seems much happier in the cargo area of the Jeep, but is prone to jumping back into the back seat, or heavens the passenger seat if I step out. I need something to confine him to the Cargo area. I noticed Acura doesn't offer a net to go above the back seats as a pet divider. Does anyone have any ideas or options they found to work? Blond Pet hair all over the nice black interior just isn't going to make me happy....

I also see the Cargo LINER would be a great addition. I see it's about $135-140 on ebay. A definate help in keeping the dog hair from getting matted in the carpet. Any other options or discounts available?

 

Congrats on your new RDX! I've got about the same size German Shepherd Dog, and I hear ya about all the dog hair! For me, one of the huge selling points of the RDX is that the rear seats fold pretty much flat, so you'll find there's plenty of space for your yellow lab! And, it helps keep the rear seats clean when you do have passengers. Very easy to switch the seats back when you don't need them to be flat. The cargo liner is well worth it...ebay seems to be the best place to find accessories at a good price. I ended up buying one with the vehicle and it's been great for keeping the dog hair from getting into the carpet and is very durable! Not sure how to keep your pup out of the front seat tho...maybe a harness to keep him in the back area?

 

Cargo liner here... just put a blanket that will attract some of those loose hairs. The fold flat seats and cargo liner combination is great for my two pooches weighing in at a combined weight of 130#.

 

Shouldn't a dog be in a crate when in a car on a regular basis?
If you get in a wreck you may kill him if he is loose.
I doubt you'd have to be going much more than 20 to do it significant harm.
Dogs like crates when they become accustomed to them. They are den animals after all. Thats why the like to lay under tables and such.

 

I do think the Cargo liner will be a great way to keep the cargo area cleaner. I was thinking the back seats will stay up for more passengers and keep him confined to the back area.

I'm not sure what the answer would be regarding safety. While my dog is crate trained and ejoys his crate at home, it is entirely too large to fit in the cargo area. (Unless i get a Hummer ) Just because he is in a crate would not make him safer, as the crate is just as likely to fly around in the event of an accident. I believe I have seen Dog "seat belts" but none large enough for a larger breed dog.

While I appreciate the concern about the saftey issue, it wan't my primary question...lol Since pandoras box is open...anyone have suggestions?

 

Having the back seats up means you won't be able to fit a crate in the back. But Lilfeat is absolutely right...a crate is the safest. I haven't tried with my dog, b/c his crate may not even fit since he's a big boy and the crate needs to be of the right size to keep him comfortable. So, that leaves the harness/seat belt option. You should be able to find a harness to suit your dog's size (I did). It didn't work so well in my previous car, since I couldn't really connect him to anything, but in I think the RDX there are some loops in the back that might work?

 

The make dog seat belts. Essentially it is a harness that attaches to the existing seatbelt. It lets your pooch enjoy the sites as you drive, but it keeps them (and you) safe in the event of an accident.

Go to petedge.com and do a search for "seat belt". They may have some divider net options for you as well.

 

black label, do those seatbelts allow for some movement or is the dog stuck in one position?

 

They can move a bit, they are far from strapped down. They could sit, stand, lay down, turn around. They won't make it into the front seat (on their own or in the event of an accident). The issue here is dogs typically fly into the windshield in an accident.

It's basically a harness and a short leash that attaches to the seatbelt. If you bought a carabeener (not sure of the spelling there the clip rock climbers use), you could easily attach it to the cargo hooks in the back.

 

Thanks black label, that's exactly what I was thinking of.

 

OK, I just did a search and found a number of sites. this one seams interesting. Most of the harnesess clip into a seat belt holder or to the strap. It seems they could be modified for a tie down in the trunk.
I love my pet, but I've never gone as far as a seat belt for him. I can see it could be a good thing.... so how many people use them?????

Check out this site for pet seat belts
http://www.hunterk9.com/site/870877/page/343881

 

yea but def biggest part for the seat belt and crate, is that the dog doesnt fly into you in an accident. and next is the pooch. safe travels (btw im a paramedic that was the first thing i thought of...lol)

 

Unfortunately, not enough. A lot of dogs like to place themselves in the back seat, but between the 2 front seats. If you get into an accident, there's nothing to stop them from hitting the windshield.

As a side note. I witnessed an accident on 95 south in MA. A lady hit a F350 pretty hard from behind, she was driving some sort of small SUV (I think it was a Suzuki or a Mitsu). I was in the lane next to her and about 30 feet behind. About 5 seconds after she hit the truck, she jumps out with a look of fear in her eyes and runs to open the back door. I'm thinkng "oh shit, she's got kids in the back seat."

WRONG...

She opens up the back door and lets 2 pit bulls run out onto a major highway in serious traffic. I was just moving past her when she did it and had to slam the brakes on as her dog ran in front of me.

Obviously she was concerned about the dogs after the accident, but if they had been in a dog seat belt, the situation would have been contained.

You wouldn't put your kids in the back without a seat belt would you? Doesn't "man's best friend" deserve the same treatment? If your dog was driving they would make sure you were safe

 

haha i love it!

 

I have a 100+ yellow lab at home too and we used to let him cruise in our Jeep but when we got rid of it, he doesn't ride in the car all that much...

Best bet, get a "Grate" They sell them at most pet stores, its a metal thing but just be careful it doesn't chew up your headliner. Also, when we had one in the Jeep, it rattled a lot so perhaps consider that. Other than that, it worked great for Jake... the lab. They're such mess makers but it's hard not to love them..

 

I was thinking of a grate too. That would be perfect to keep pooch from jumping into the front seat while I'm in the store. My water doggie already ripped the front seat with a nail. I'm not interested in letting him sit on the seat at all if I can help it. I have a fleece blanket that I put down on the front seat for now.
I don't have him seat belted in either. It's a risk I take...I guess. But I'd like a grate best to keep him in the back. Maybe I'll look into belts and see what they have

 

Another thing you can consider is a hammock style seat cover. I use one for my lab in my RL. I'm sure it isn't as safe as a seat belt, but it will keep the dog from falling from the back seat to the floor in the event of a sudden stop. It attaches around the four headrests, and is easy to install and remove. It can't slip off the back seat so the dog's nails won't dig into the leather. I got mine from either petco.com, or petsmart.com (I can't remember which one).

 

Alright, first trip in the new car with the pooch! he fit just fine in the cargo area. Bonus is the back is lower than the jeep and he can get in easier. I still didn't have a seatbelt/harness for him yet, but it probably will be coming. I noticed if I adjust the headrests ll the way up he stayed put. Didn't even try to jump into the back seat. ...maybe I won't need the grate!!!

 

Glad to hear it's working for you! I also traded the old Grand Cherokee in on a new RDX this year. One of the main reasons I picked the RDX was the fold flat seats w/o having to remove the headrests. This allows for extremely quick transitions between passenger space and dog space in the back (two mutts, both 70ish pounds). The discussion on pet seat belts got me thinking though. Where would you clip into if the seats are down?

 

Someone above said you can clip a carabiner to the cargo hold anchors in the way back when the seats are down.

I have the cargo liner and I can recommend it 100%. It catches dog hair fairly well and it even has side flaps that will guard your rear speakers from Lab slobber, etc. You will still get plenty of fur on the sidewalls of the back, though. Guess that's what vacs are for.

I posted on this several months ago: I still need to create a rear-door protector and back of front seat protector system...our Lab is a big slobber hound and shedder as well! Plus she likes to climb into the front seats when we're inside somewhere (we always ventilate the car, though by leaving the roof and often the windows fully open).

I was thinking some black vinyl material from a fabric store and somehow looping an "anchor" like a thin piece of bamboo to slide the material into the bottom of the rear window sills to protect the rear doors ... yeah, I am somewhat anal! Ha.

Great thoughts on the seat belt stuff, thanks for posting the links!

 

i tie my two boxers to the tiedowns in the back,
just slide their leash through the tiedowns