I let the dog have full run of the back seat. The windows are nice because you can roll them down partially and the glass still goes edge-to-edge. My other Jeep creates an L shape where her head or collar can get stuck.

Keep the windows locked! The window button on the flat armrest means that the dog will almost always roll the window all the way down when jumping up. My dog *almost* jumped out once. Her back paws were up on the window before I pulled her back in. Now the windows stay locked, always.

 

Let are dog full run to. She will sit right between the kids booster seat and put her head on the front seat. Lays on the floor when she's want to or the seat. She is a 35-50 lb pit. Even will sit in her seat when the kids get out. And only will get out when told. If you start training now your dog wont need a cage. just start out small. Like trips for gas or small run around. Dont do grocery shopping right know cus you dont want to find out she snaked on you seats.

 

I've got 2 dogs, and the patriot is the main transport for them. Typically, they have full run of the cargo area, with the back seats folded down flat. Since they are both bigger dogs, one 60 pound lab/shepherd mix and one quickly approaching 120 pound bernese mountain dog/Great Pyrenees mix, they need the space, and this way they have plenty of room to roam and lay down. If you get them used to car travel early, there will be no need for crates or harnesses. like others have said, small trips first and the pup will be used to it in no time.

 

Well, my 50 lb. 13 year old miniature Husky is spoiled--she thinks she should ride in the FRONT seat! In the old jeep, she does wear a harness to keep her from falling out, altho she does have great "sea legs".

I've made a net that fits between the front seats to prevent her from migrating from the rear to the front, and this only works part of the time....

My next dog(s) will be harness trained in the rear seat....or so my wife claims

 

I have a 70 pound Rotten Retriever (Rotty-Golden Retriever mix) and let him ride with us once in a while in the cargo area since we have a Limited edition Pat with Leather seats. I only do so upon laying a blanket on the spare cover pannel since we don't have a cargo liner yet.
First time was a mistake, since he scratched it and cannot be fixed.

Dogs will be dogs so expect some shedding and some saliva slobbers all up on your windows.
Make sure to clean them frequently otherwise they will thicken and become harder to rub off.

Since we're are dog owners/lovers, why don't we post some pics of them in our Jeeps ppl?

 

Some great advice on here. Training them early is what we've done with all three of ours. The smallest is a 60 pound black lab/boarder collie mix, we have a 70 pound Golden and a 95 pound Golden. They all get the run of the cargo area with the 60% seat down. The base for our daughters car seat is on the 40% side. The 70 lb Golden comes to work with me twice a week and he thinks the front seat is his when there are no non-driving humans in the car. The only problems we've ever had is when it gets loud from dirt roads or heavy rain our lab/collie mix tries to climb into the foot wells. No problem for three of the foot wells, problem was when she tried the drivers foot well!
I usually suggest teaching the dog simple commands, like "In the Back" and "Lay Down". Once they get used to the car and the commands it becomes easy to get them to move out of your line of sight or into the back if a passenger is about to get in. If it's a hassle to get your dog into the car and set-up, then you are less likely to take it with you. Since our dogs are part of our family, we take them with us A LOT.

I don't have a good Dog/Patriot Pic, but here is an old one of my JK and the 95 pound Golden when he was younger.

 

We have a few large dogs, but my Boxer is my buddy & ridding companion. I have seat covers in the back, plus I put a heavy duty pet blankets down. (The last Jeep I had Nika managed to puncture holes in the seat with her nails somehow.) really don't want that to happen again. I just open the back door, say the magic word, she jumps right in and enjoys the ride. I do lock the windows partially down, she learned quick how to open them. Everyone has their own preference, I don't believe in caging dogs in a vehicle, or tying them down, some may. My dogs are well trained though. They do have dividers available in many styles for those that choose to go that route.

 

@Goose, Nice!

 

65 lb Golden Retriever. She alternates between cargo and rear seats. No harness used, haven't found one that meets any actual crash standards. Leather has really held up well to her and other things.

 

Another tip: My Patriot has leather/vinyl seating--and dog's nails can do a job on them--so--have your groomer "grind" the nails (usually with a Dremel tool) instead of plain clipping.

 

@Jack, Yes indeed, learned that the hard way. Although mine are cloth, I still add the extra blanket for piece of mind. Plus, she don't mind that extra cushion, and it's less time with the vacuum.

 

I fashioned some sheepskin covers for the seat bottoms--sure made it nice in the 100+ days, and the dog seemed to like it as well. Now that it's getting colder in the morning, think I'll put them back on...they do get dirty, and since sheep don't shrink when they get wet, I suppose I should be able to wash these....?

 

Hi, I have a greyhound and transport her on the back seat with a blanket over the seat so she doesn't scratch the leather and a special harness which plugs into one of the seatbelt clips so she doesn't come forward under heavy breaking.

 

@Jack, whats your idea of cooler, 65? Haha. I haven't felt a 100 degree day in a couple years. I'm ready to pack up and head to Florida. It's getting to where I can't stand the cold anymore. I would think you could wash the sheep skin, although I wouldn't advise throwing it in the dryer. Hell of an idea with the covers...

 

@Jack, whats your idea of cooler, 65? Haha. ...

Well, below freezing would be "cooler"--now it's in the high 40's in the am. We're in a location that ranges from 10 degrees to over 110, so "sunny CA" it's NOT....

 

@Jack, My apologies, it seems my research has failed me. Those are not the numbers I've come up with. I'm seeing temperatures from 51-80 for the month of November. It seems we have gotten off track on the thread though. Lol. Enjoy your day...

 

Thanks for the input! Pumpkin has been riding in the back with a harness and enjoys road trips...now it's running in the snow and next summer camping!!!!

 

For those with older dogs that the leap up into the back of the jeep is becoming a cumbersome stretch or the landing when jumping down is becoming hard on the hips check out the following:

www.Petloader.com

We bought the 5 step version for our 11 year old German Shepherd to climb in/out of our Patriot but in hindsite the 4 step version would have been sufficient. Steps can be added/removed as needed though.

We have found this to be a great product, and the dog along with the folded steps ride in the cargo area. A ramp would take up almost all of the room back there leaving none for the dog. Plus hoping down onto our large jagged stone gravel driveway is not good for her paws and legs regardless of her age.

We also use the steps to get her up on the workbench in the garage when we dremel her claws...if we do it with her on the floor she tends to squirm but up on the workbench she stays calm and tolerates it well.

-Z

 

Get a hammock for the back seats they are great. Our lab loves hers and I do too because it keeps my seats clean and somewhat keeps the shedding contained and also keeps my dog from flying around in the back seat.

http://www.rei.com/product/883695/kurgo-retro-bloom-dog-hammock-2014-closeout

Something similar to that they make cheaper and more expensive depending on what you are looking for. I have one and my wife has one for her GMC Terrain too and they are small enough that when folded down they can go under the seat or i put mine in the spare tire area.