[LuckiestLiz]

Anyone else using their Rav4 as a dog-mobile? I've got two large dogs who go everywhere with me. I got my Rav on Friday and I'm already diving in to accessories to make it work even better for them. They're about 80lb each so I don't think I can get away with keeping them behind the second row. Probably if I had only one or smaller dogs I would.

For a temporary fix, my dogs are on a moving blanket with the seats flat. They're learning to load through the power liftgate, though I find they're able to load in the side doors as well. I've removed the back headrests as I worried they'd muck them up since they're uncovered, but I'm not keen on that as it wouldn't be safe if I popped them up for a passenger withkout them.

I want to get the Canadian seatback/cargo cover, the plastic one that covers the whole area. I've emailed a Canadian dealer so fingers crossed. Then I hope to layer a somewhat quilted cover on top. I also need to get proper tough mats like Weathertech or such for the front and back, less dog related I suppose but still. I'm also about to purchase a metal barrier for my vehicle. I had a tiny one for my Honda Civic but I want something larger to keep them out of the front but not damaged the ceiling, and I found one on Amazon that should work (black metal bars that bungee on the front seats). Also, maybe a solid box for accessories that don't fit with the spare tire to keep the naughty one from getting in to things.

I'd love to hear from you if there are good accessories or tips!

 

[LuckiestLiz]

TIP here LuckiestLiz - but I have to ask, "any golf courses & golf equipment, in Alaska"?...

Kelly's family has a newer SUV (2008 Toyota RAV4 Limited v6) and Dad doesn't want to clean nose prints of front windows, on a daily basis / or have toenail dents on console lid & front leather seat paw damage:

So I cut the padded shoulder strap off an old & damaged golf bag / so basically a free bucket seat barrier modification, that never gets removed, until the day comes to sell the SUV
- used the re-purposed harness to restrict girl from jumping into leather bucket seats, at will
- the shoulder harness on junked golf bag, had 4 nylon anchor straps
- 2 straps were threaded around the top head rest posts / other 2 straps (longer) were threaded on the back seat frame brackets, on the floor

Dog lays mostly on the folded down seat - so we now have a thick LLBean dog bed, covering the 2nd row partial seat back & passenger & center side head rest back.
- works perfect, as our Doberman is trained to not jump over the harness barrier
- dog bed is easy to store away, in trunk / if we have to transport a few extra people

Yes, there's golf. :laugh I appreciate the idea. One of my dogs would need no barrier; I don't think she'd ever get into the front. The other needs a more proper barrier. For safety in general, because I am not using crates, it'd for sure be safer to have a proper barrier.

I did find they can fit in the cargo area which surprised me, but there's enough room for them to lay down and they didn't seem stressed by it. I may consider this for day-to-day and only lay the seats down for those occasions they're in the car for hours on end. Torn! I need to figure it out before I buy something expensive (Travall custom barrier is appealing, but pricey, and it's specific to the cargo space).

Husky mats are virtually indestructible (unless you have a strong chewer...). 15+ years in my mom's car, always with dogs, and they've provided great protection and show little wear. I generally like to add waterproof seat covers (surfer-quality) to prevent drool soaking through the seats.

I was looking at Husky for my floor liners so that's great to hear, I think I'll go for those for sure. I always heard of Weathertech, but I read on the forum here that Husky actually covers more in this vehicle. Maybe I'll consider the cargo mat as well if I can't get the Canadian seatback/cargo cover thing. Thankfully they aren't chewers, I just don't appreciate nose-art throughout or dirty dogs after a walk making a mess. (One gets naughty, but never at the car - he'll just get in to anything.) In my old car, with fabric, after years of multiple dogs in and out ... they torn the fabric at the seams and really ground in dirt despite regular cleaning. I'm inclined this time around to keep them off the seats entirely for the longevity of the vehicle (or value if I were to trade up eventually).