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Advice Needed From Those With Puppy Bars


RubyStar
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Those who have puppy bars or a similar crating set up in the back of your car for your dogs, can I please get some advice and ideas!

I am getting my car fitted out on Friday by a local guy who does a lot of custom fitouts for the dog sporting people. I want to be sure I get everything that I need to make this money well spent and worthwhile, but I am not sure if I have everything covered! I am hoping those who already have their cars fitted out can tell me anything they wish they had gotten put in but didn't think to at the time, anything critical I have missed, or anything I am asking for that doesn't sound very effective?

I am asking for a barrier across the front with a divider down the middle, with 2 doors (one for each divided section so I can get one dog out at a time without having the other trying to jump out).

I am asking for the left door to be opened to the left, and the right door to be opened to the right. I haven't specified how big the doors should be or how close to the middle or edge they should be, thought I'd leave that to the guy. But input on this would be appreciated if you think that isn't a good idea to leave it up to him.

I am asking for the whole thing to be removable, because the back seats do get folded down when needing to transport large items.

I am going to enquire about locks on the doors so if I leave the dogs unattended at say a trial, then any malicious strangers can't come along and let them out or steal my precious cargo! (without going to the trouble of unscrewing the whole rig). I'm not sure what sort of locks go on these things, can anyone pretty please give me any info about locks on crates?

I'm not asking for the actual cargo barrier between seats and boot, as my model of car won't allow it due to side airbags. So I'm asking him to put in some screws so I can rig up my cargo net to act as a visual barrier to hopefully deter Millie from jumping onto my back seats, which she likes to do when I have Ruby out for training and not her!!

I did ask for a false floor so I can store some training things under the crates, but I am going to tell him not to bother about that anymore because the boot area is not as spacious as a stationwagon, and as it is higher I also worry that they will have too far to jump (I drive a Hyundai Tucson). Bummer though, would have been handy! If I had a lower and more spacious boot then the false floor would be a definite!

So that is my list so far. I would reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaally appreciate input from anyone if you think you can improve my anticipated setup!! :worship: Thanks alot :D

Edit: if you have any photos of your setup you can post, that would be great!! Visuals are always nice so please, show off your setup and make me envious laugh.gif

Edited by RubyStar
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Is it going to be for long trips?

Is it worthwhile asking for a water bowl type thing to be inbuilt so you can put a little water in it for them in summer or on long trips?

Sounds good to me although it would be better if you could have something to stop the dogs from jumping into the back seat. Although if you get a strong meshy material to go in between you should be good.

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Is it going to be for long trips?

Is it worthwhile asking for a water bowl type thing to be inbuilt so you can put a little water in it for them in summer or on long trips?

Sounds good to me although it would be better if you could have something to stop the dogs from jumping into the back seat. Although if you get a strong meshy material to go in between you should be good.

In my experience built in water bowels are a absolute pain, as they are to hard to keep clean.

Much better to purchase the clip on ones. Also I don't travel dogs with water in their bowls.

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I have two dogs and my set up is pretty much exactly what you are asking for (although I have a station wagon so have a cargo barrier and I got a false floor put in just high enough to fit a collapsible crate in) - works perfectly for me.

A removable divider is handy if you sometimes only take one dog and want to give them a bit more room. Not sure this would work without a fixed cargo barrier though.

Should add, the locks on mine are on the door openings (buttons) and I wouldn't leave my dogs unattended in the car without locking them in, too paranoid.

Edited by superminty
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Thanks, guys :) There really isn't enough room to keep a water bowl in when the divider is in, it's a squishy fit as it is but it is just a setup I need to do for training/trialling purposes. Long trips, the divider can come out and they are back to sharing the entire space.

A removable divider is handy if you sometimes only take one dog and want to give them a bit more room. Not sure this would work without a fixed cargo barrier though.

Should add, the locks on mine are on the door openings (buttons) and I wouldn't leave my dogs unattended in the car without locking them in, too paranoid.

He says he can put a divider in, but I'm not sure how it would work. It will be removable just like the bars :)

I will definitely enquire about the locks. Do you by any chance have a photo of your setup and especially your locks? :o

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Not sure exactly what set up you are having but with small dogs 1 thing to be sure of is that there are no gaps. My station wagon has a cargo barrier. One of my toy poodles was in the boot behind the barrier & then next thing she was hopping into the front seat next to me.

She had squeezed through the small gap in the corner, goodness knows how she managed it. The others never did it.

The barrier is now removed & I put a dog crate in there for her or if I need it for the others

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Ruby, if you can't have a false floor due to dog's jumping too far, can you perhaps have a storage basket/drawer put on the top of the cage or are you using the hood lining of the car as the top of the crate? Sorry, I have no idea about these things. My DD drives a Tucson, their boots are quite roomy, I have the IX-35, lots less room.

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I took a heap of photos of a puppybars set up and a different home made set up to give the bloke making mine - if you'd like them, PM me your email address, might give you some ideas :)

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I'm not quite sure I've interpreted the direction of how you've asked for your doors open, but I had my station wagon measured up for Puppy Bars last week (two doors with a removable centre divider, like your set up) and he mentioned that the doors would hinge in the centre and open up from the outside to the centre for both of them.

Does that make sense, its really hard to explain? I had expected to be able to open the doors with them hingeing towards the outside of the car and with the locks/handles at the centre.

Just check what your guy can do.

Oh, der, just like superminty's pics.

Edited by SmoothieGirl
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Thanks superminty!! thumbsup1.gif

Not sure exactly what set up you are having but with small dogs 1 thing to be sure of is that there are no gaps.

Ta. I should be fine, I own Labs and can't see me owning a small breed any time soon. I do worry about one of mine squeezing through the net I am going to rig up between the seats and the boot but I am asking him if he can do it so there are no gaps. They never jump into the backseat when I am in there, so it is a non issue when I'm driving to suddenly find a dog in the back seat. She only jumps into the backseat when I leave her in there to train my other one because she's having a tantrum it can't be her!!

Ruby, if you can't have a false floor due to dog's jumping too far, can you perhaps have a storage basket/drawer put on the top of the cage or are you using the hood lining of the car as the top of the crate? Sorry, I have no idea about these things. My DD drives a Tucson, their boots are quite roomy, I have the IX-35, lots less room.

Hmmm that is worth thinking about, thanks! I had plans on it just extending all the way to the top as the boot isn't very spacious so I don't want to make it feel even smaller by having the roof low on them too. I love the ix35 but have heard their boots are smaller than the Tucson! The Tucson boot isn't all that big but I guess in comparison to the ix35 it might appear so! I'd love the boot room of a stationwagon, but I'm not partial to stationwagons especially! I like sitting up high when I drive laugh.gif

What if you get a third dog? :D

Get a new car :p Or I upgrade Ruby to a blanket on the backseat in a car harness. Or I remove the divider and shove them all in together! 3rd dog is many years off and I need a solution now, so I will tackle that problem when it arises :)

I took a heap of photos of a puppybars set up and a different home made set up to give the bloke making mine - if you'd like them, PM me your email address, might give you some ideas :)

Will PM you! Thanks.

I'm not quite sure I've interpreted the direction of how you've asked for your doors open, but I had my station wagon measured up for Puppy Bars last week (two doors with a removable centre divider, like your set up) and he mentioned that the doors would hinge in the centre and open up from the outside to the centre for both of them.

Does that make sense, its really hard to explain? I had expected to be able to open the doors with them hingeing towards the outside of the car and with the locks/handles at the centre.

Yep that makes sense (even before superminty's photos). I would prefer them to open with the hinges on the outside and open outwards like you said you expected, but if it isn't possible I will settle for the way superminty's is. I will make sure I ask him beforehand just in case it can be done the way I envision!

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Should add, the locks on mine are on the door openings (buttons) and I wouldn't leave my dogs unattended in the car without locking them in, too paranoid.

Can I please just clarify something? :o Are you saying that your doors can remain unlocked if you wish and be opened by pushing the lock buttons when unlocked, and then you can lock them with the key? I was just wondering how I would open and close them with ease without having to get a key out every time! Stupid question, I know :o

I have no idea if he can do locks, but I guess it won't hurt to ask.

I've also been thinking more about the direction the doors open, and I guess it makes more sense if they are hinged in the centre because then they can open flush against the barrier.

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Yes thats right RubyStar - they push closed and open with the button, plus you can lock them with a key. I did some research into the ones that Puppybars use, because I really like them - I'll forward the email from the company that makes them :)

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Sounds like I won't be able to get them if they are a custom thing. Eeeek I'm not sure what to do!

If you like them and want them, why not show the pics to the people making your cages so they know how they fit in etc then order them yourself to be installed when they arrive? There are 2 company names in the email who should be able to supply you with the locks.

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Sounds like I won't be able to get them if they are a custom thing. Eeeek I'm not sure what to do!

If you like them and want them, why not show the pics to the people making your cages so they know how they fit in etc then order them yourself to be installed when they arrive? There are 2 company names in the email who should be able to supply you with the locks.

That might be an idea, thanks :) Any idea on the cost of them? I might have to email them and see if there are any WA distributors of the locks.

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Seems maybe I have organised to have this done before I've had the chance to investigate properly :o But I must go ahead with it tomorrow as he would have ordered all the metal to make it and cleared his schedule if he had other work on, and I wouldn't dream of messing anyone around like that!!

So my next question, if anybody possibly has the answer, is to do with my cargo net. I am hoping to rig up my cargo net similar to this:

petnet_lg.jpg

The website I found this picture on says:

The PetNet pet barrier uses a unique attachment system that requires NO DRILLING. We use a dual lock fastener system that is five times stronger than the fabric hook and loop systems. The non-permanent adhesive backed square piece adheres to the interior molding of your vehicle and the circle dual lock piece inter-locks with the square . Attached to the circle, the nylon cord allows you to attach the PetNet to the vertical molding on vehicle. The locking system is strong enough to restrain your pet but allows you to easily remove the net when not needed.

They're an international company I believe so of no real help here!

I was going to ask the fitter tomorrow if he can put some screws in to hold the cargo net that came with my car up so it looks similar to that above, but if I can get a stick on system instead of screws that would be much better. The less screws drilled into my car the better!! So does anyone know of any device that I can buy so that I can rig my own cargo net up to block access to my back seats? Just to repeat, I cannot have a proper cargo barrier fitted, so want to do the net thing :)

Really appreciating all the input so far, you guys are great!!! biggrin.gif

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Thanks. Yep I've seen those but they aren't suitable due to the gap on the side. Millie would squeeze through it.

I already have the net, just needing something to rig it up that doesn't involve drilling more holes! laugh.gif

If I can't find anything to rig it up, I am thinking of ordering this one to replace my net: http://www.petwithpe...er-pet-suv.html

suv-dog-barrier.jpg

Edited by RubyStar
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