A question for dog owners.

[Excited One]

Ok I made the mistake of buying my dog and letting her ride home in the front seat. From there on out she thinks she can have the front seat. Well,it wouldn't be a big deal but she is a Great Dane and barely fits on the seat now. I have to lay the front seat back for her to fit. I laid a blanket in the back down, but that doesn't help but for two mins. Any suggestions how to get her to stay back there?

[SCoach]

You may want to think about isntalling a pet barrier. You can get them at most pet stores. They'll keep your dog where you want them.

[punkin]

It is not safe for your dog to ride in the Element or in any vehicle unless they are in a kennel. For a great dane I'd imagine you'd have to fold up or take out the back seats. If you must carry the dog uncrated, use one of the restraints that faster the dog's upper body to the back seat area with a device that attaches to the seat belt. That's how to keep the dog back there. As far as wanting the dog to stay back there it is just like any other dog training method. Praise, petting, and food when they do what you want. Sharp words and a corrective tug on the collar when they do what you don't want them to do. Consistency is key but most dogs want to please you.

Good luck.

Punkin

[SCoach]

Hmmm, you're not from the south are ya! :) Here the only dogs that ride in a kennel are either sick, on their way to the woods for hunting, or on their way to the pound. And the only restraint they wear are E-Collars so they can be found in the brush.

[Up North E]

People with small to medium sized dogs do not understand vehicle limitations when it comes to crating your dog(S) in your vehicle.
There are very few vfehicles that will allow large to giant breed dogs to be crated inside (oh and by this I also mean airplanes, since when I fly with my dogs I am limited by the type of planes: most Airbus planes will not accomodate a 900 size kennell)
I own two Komondors, one is 17 months and the other is 17 weeks. The older one has always travelled in the back and responds to "In The Back" from my wife or I when he wants to get a little closer.
The 17 week old travels in a petporter XL that is securely fastened in the back. To accomodate both of our dogs we do not have the back seats in.
If we were to travel with both dogs (when they are full grown which neither are) the only way to crate them would be inside a horse trailer.
For those of you who dont know just how big a 900 series crate is, picture your E with both seats out and the crate about 2 inches from the ceiling. the side walls and in length as well.
To keep your Dane in the back now that she knows how comfortable it is to be with you up front you can also secure her in the back. We took out one of the seats when we only had the one dog and used a large (wide) flat collar and a 2 1/2 foot drop line that we attached to the seat attachment. We only used this for a week or two in conjunction with heavy praise for him staying back there.

[paulj]

With the seats out, you have 6 solid points to attach netting of some sort to keep the dog(s) in the back - and to keep him from flying forward in a crash. There are the seat mounts on the floor, the ones on the sides, and the handles overhead. The childseat latch points near the rear door could even be used. Having built a sleeping/storage platform in the rear, I am thinking about ways of restraining cargo that is on top of the platform. So far I have experimented with netting used by whitewater rafters to restrain their cargo, and the bungie netting Yakima sells for their roof baskets.

My own dog is small enough that a short leash attached to his harness, and some solid point on the car or seat is enough protection (I think).

paulj

[music&dogs]

Paulj, can you post photos of the custom built back end of your E. Sounds interesting and I'd like to see it what you've done with it.

[paulj]

The 'sleeping options and contraptions' thread on hondaelement.org has a number of photos

http://www.hondaelement.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4273

I designed to store a full size spare, as well as some camping gear. I haven't posted any photos of 'filler' between platform and front seats. I have tested the rig with a couple of backyard overnighters.

On the 'spare tire on the back' thread I posted photo of platform with a full size spare tire in place.

paulj

[wirefly]

If the biggest crate that will fit in the E won't work (they just have to be able to turn around inside), than definitely a pet barrier- they sell them for the E on e-bay. When dogs are free in vehicles, they can go flying on a sudden stop, including flying through a window, and they can also distract the driver.

I have two mop dogs- my puli says hello to his komondor cousins! LOL; small world!

[Up North E]

My two Koms are good friends with two Pulis' that we have here in town. My dog trainer is Hungarian and just came back from Hungary. She attended the All Hungarian breed show at the start of April.
I keep teasing my wife that I will get a black Puli sent over from Hungary just to further confuse people who stare. Komondorok and Puli are the Elements of the dog world, everyone points and stares. :lol:

[music&dogs]

E.One, I cannot crate my dog because she came to me with extreme anxiety. Previous owners used inappropriate crating which made her crazy at the sight of one. Vet said, "Don't crate". So I came up with this. I have hooked a leash to one of the back tie downs. I hook the leash to her chest harness (NEVER AROUND HER NECK COLLAR) and when we are in motion I hook her to the leash. I have one back seat out and one up. Rubber backed mat on floor with thick comforters on top. She has lots of room to move around however the leash is only long enough for her to poke her nose between the seats and say hello. She can't get into the front and hopefully this would keep her from flying forward through the windshield or onto a front passenger should we have an accident. Maybe not the best arrangement, but an option if you can't use a crate.

[RossPoldarkette]

:) I have a male Great Dane and his name is Conquistador. He weighs 170s and stands 6 ft 3 on his hind legs. I use to let him sleep in my queen size bed with me, until he got big enough that he start pushing me to the edge of the bed and then off it. Well, as with all kids, you have to enforce tough love and make them go to the rear of the car! Conquistador also got too big for other furniture in the house, so it became uncomfortable and he stopped getting on it. let me tell you, that when he was a puppy, he went through a chewing stage and took out the whole side of a sofa and the entire foot rest of a lazy boy recliner (big chew toys huh?)! Nature is going to take it's course with your Great Dane, and whether it likes it or not, it will get too big to fit in the front of your element, and it will be like trying to stuff a big sausage into a tight container. Eventually your dane will have no choice but to sit in the back of your Element, but like my Dane, it will still be able to put its head right next to yours as you drive along. Well, they have to have their heads right next to yours so they can help you navigate to your destination.


Lily :wink:

[GYPSYTDA]

punkin.. i know what you are talking about (the doggie seat belt harnesses).. the problem i had.. (and i did have the doggie seat belt harness) I have a border collie.. way too freakin' smart.. he actually was able to unhook it.. he would sit perfectly still like it was latched, when i would go to unlatch it.. it was already done..

we were about the 6st home he had in his 6 months of life when we adopted him, he had severe anxiety from crates.. so he could not be crated.

leashing is the only option.. he is cool with a leash, cool with a collar and cool with a harness.. but he is frighteningly smart.. also well behaved so where i ask him to sit, he will sit, he does stay still too, not coming up and back in the vehicle.. and i just recline the back seats for his comfort with some things to cuddle with.. he is good to go.

excited one: as far as getting your big baby to the back, training is all you can, gently nicely with positive reinforcement.. give him love and hugs for sitting in the back, make sure he is comfortable, have a favorite toy there for him to cuddle and or chew.. and maybe a treat.. make sure you always let him know you love him..he will be fine.. just takes time & alot of patience.

[music&dogs]

Gypsy, I didn't realize your pup has anxiety issues. I never had a dog with an anxiety issue until last November (primary reason for buying the E since she goes with me so much). It's a BIG issue to live with but we adore her so we have worked out a lifestyle that eases her fears and which we can all live with. Sedona has severe separation anxiety; she has a broken tooth which the vet said probably came from previous owners crating her and her chewing on the metal to get out. It's something to see in a dog, that's for sure.

[boneheadz]

[quote:8ca1c29c01=" "]Gypsy, I didn't realize your pup has anxiety issues. I never had a dog with an anxiety issue until last November (primary reason for buying the E since she goes with me so much). It's a BIG issue to live with but we adore her so we have worked out a lifestyle that eases her fears and which we can all live with. Sedona has severe separation anxiety; she has a broken tooth which the vet said probably came from previous owners crating her and her chewing on the metal to get out. It's something to see in a dog, that's for sure.[/quote:8ca1c29c01]

No I am not joking, have you tried medication. We a considering an anti-anxiety drug for our aussie. He is afriad of all people, even ones he has seen before. Your vet could recomend something to at least tray.

Bone

[GYPSYTDA]

music&dogs and Boneheadz... (note: border collie.. high strung anyhow, or he actually takes after me.. :wink: )
yup pups can have anxiety.. heck anyone would, (imagine in cooresponding dog years how you would feel if..).. he had been in 6 different homes in just 6 months of his birth.. because could not deal with his energy..

another owners had a sheepr farm.. and was annoyed he would not heard.. he was less then 6 months old, he had been orginally purchased from a pet shop (so had no training or enviroment for being a herding dog).. so he had no idea what to do.. he just wanted to be loved.. but...

but, instead each owner to simply "get him out of their hair" would crate him.. and he obviously had other mistreatments too..

so when he came to us.. he came with a crate which he would rather rips his limbs off rather then be near.. when my husband brought him home.. he had him in the crate.. and had to remove him and put him on the seat instead.. from that point forward the pup was just fine..

when they arrived home, he just trotted up to the front door like he lived here forever.

we did try to continue the crate (which is alien to me, since i am a country girl.. and not accustomed to such treatment of a pup, but my husband was used to this.. he is a suburbanite).. again the pup just was completely flipping out.. we tried leaving it open.. and letting him go in as he pleased.. but his heart would race, and well it just was horrifying.

we did notice he was perfectly fine outside of it, he never ever went potty in the house, never ever destroyed anything.. just incredible behavior mind blowing really.

Riding in the car he is just fine.. the harness seat belt i tried, and like i mentioned before was shocked to see he knew how to undo it. But his behavior is astonding!

so medication, etc.. not necessary.. he has absolutely not an issues past the crate when he joined us.. which (the crate) was soon after given away.. thank you guys so much for your sweetness... very much!

[BoxTurtle]

I have a large Yellow lab, and she also thinks the front seat is the perch of choice. What I did was slide the front seat forward and tilted towards the dash. Then with the two doors wide open she had no choice but to sit in the back.
Actually she sits next to my seat on the floor right behind me, she likes to help navigate.
I think she is safer there.
I have tried those leashes/doggy seat belts, but she can undo them, and has even wiggled out of them. Sneaky beasty!

Try the seat forward trick I bet it will work!

Jay

[LmentalMastiffs]

:D I bought my E for my 3 English Mastiffs. Try crating 3 160lb + Old English Mastiffs in 3 seperate crates. :roll: I have purchased a Pet barrier, only because I have my dash custom painted, and they are tethered to the seat latches in the floor.

Most of the time, I strap up the jump seats in the up position. Others, I just simply take them all the way out. Depends on how many dogs I'm transporting. My E comes in handy when I do a K9 Rescue transport. I am able to get 1 large Veri, 1 Medium Veri, and 1 Small Verikennel in the back with the seats out.

Good luck with teaching your pup to stay in the back. I would definately suggest a tether as opposed to a Pet barrier, especially if she's got some type of anxiety regarding crating. Good LUCK!!! Post pics soon of your Dane!! :D

Kerri

<img src=http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4dc22b3127cce8789c6bed5fb0000001610>

[dawgtrnr]

Hello,
This is my first post and I have just brought home my first element as well this past thursday. If you don't feel like crating your dog in your car, then try the "ROADIE" pet harness. I think it is the best harness you can buy. It works with the seatbelt, you can attach a leash to it and also had a small handle to hold as well. The least expensive place that I have found to purchase it is from PETEDGE.com. Good luck and safe driving.

[st-pat]

Dogs are "pack" animals and you need to be the leader of the pack. TELL the dog to get in the back and -- if neccessary -- harness it in the back. It won't take long for the dog to figure out where it needs to be. Less stress for both of you. :)

[Lonnie]

We too have a Great Dane, 180 pounds and 6'3" on her hind legs. With a big dog they must be trained and under control or you won't have a prayer. When they throw their weight into what they want to do they have twice the traction you do. Most people are very frightened by their size and any gutteral noises they might make. Barriers, leashes, harnesses and cages will not make up for unhestitating response to your commands by voice and/or hand signals. It is for the dogs well being as well as yours and the people around you. Training schools are available in most areas by local clubs or societies and usually not expensive. You and your puppy learn together.

How about a picture of your pup? Love those Danes!!!

[Dave_C]

If you have to use a pet barrier in any car/truck, check out Raingler nets. They're not steel barriers, and attach in numerous ways to lots of cars using tie down points. I used to use one in a Nissan Xterra with my dog, and it works beautifully. It streches, so that in case of an accident, the dog would be safer than crashing into a steel/metal barrier cage...other than that, a chain or leash works well...my dog chews through leashes if she's tied up with one, so a chain works well if your dog has a chewing habit with being tied down.

Otherwise, good training and an intelligent dog will solve your problem if you don't want to barrier them or tie them up :)

Dave.

[dblair]

I use the Roadie harness on a 106# Golden. Rear seats out, a seatbelt type
strap with a carabiner at each end attached to the rear seat mount on each side. It allows him to move about in the back but he can't get forward enough to get between the seats. He's tall enough to look out any of the windows so he seems quite happy with the arrangement.

The only problem is when we get the Roadie he gets so excited it's hard to get it on him!

[bsdowner]

If the Ruff rider harness is fitted correctly, I doubt the dog can get out of it. The harness part goes over the legs and there is a strap that snaps under the chest/tummy area. You are suppose to be able to pick the dog up without the dog coming out of the harness. I use a locking climbing Carabineer to attach the strap to the seat belt. Both are on the Web site:

http://www.ruffrider.com/

[MomsCarHandsOff]

I have an 85-pound poodle. Great dog, but would kill us all if he ever went flying. The best solution I've found for a really big dog is a SURVIVOR "big dog" (x-large, or jumbo) harness. Check out their website - notice the Great Dane in one of the photos! www.canineauto.com/survivor.htm

All dogs should be restrained in a vehicle, both for people and pooch safety.

Remember that the cargo area of the ELEMENT is called a "crush zone" (see owner's manual) that means it is meant to collapse more easily in a bad collision in order to protect occupants. Bye-bye Fido. The safest place for a really big dog is on the floor, either in place of one of the seats, or in the space between the front and back seats.

DOGS NEED SEATBELTS TOO!

This isn't the best of vehicles for a really big dog - but it can work.