The Back Of The Truck

[Camilla and Darwin]

Where I live, there are a whole lot of people who put their dogs in the back of their truck. In fact, Darwin's good doggy friend has owners who always do this. They are good owners who love their dog so of course I don't want to offend them or judge them. However every time I see them load her in, I feel horrible. 

I feel like this is a really dangerous way for your dog to be transported. I have even seen people have their dogs back there on the freeway! 

A woman in the town I live in had her dog in the back of her truck, driving on the freeway. A piece of debris flew up off the road and knocked her dog out of the truck. ON THE FREEWAY. They put up signs but couldn't find the dog. Two weeks later, their dog showed up on their doorstep, with multiple cuts and bruises. The kicker is, this lady is a breeder (of "Airedoodles") I felt so horrible for her poor dog. 

Do you know people who keep their dogs in the back of the truck? Did you say anything to them, and if so, how? 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I feel the same way when I see a dog loose in the back of a truck. It just terrifies me and makes me really angry. I have heard horror stories about things that have happened to them. Although it is against the law in Oregon to have an unsecured dog in the back of a pickup I still see people doing it occasionally.

I don't know anyone who does it personally but if I did, YOU BET, I would say something. But it helps to have the law behind me. Maybe you could just tell them about a "new product" you heard of that can be used to secure a dog in the back of the truck. So THEY wouldn't have to worry anymore about their dog being injured!! Or better yet give them one for their dogs next birthday!!!

Here is a little info about what states have actual laws regulating it. Not many out of 50...

Securing Animals in an Unenclosed Area of a Vehicle
•In California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon and Rhode Island, laws affirm that dogs in the bed of a truck or open area of a vehicle must be properly secured or restrained in a way that prevents the animals from jumping, falling or being thrown from the vehicle.

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

I agree that it's horrible. I don't see it where I live, but I do when we are traveling. I feel bad for the dogs in crates in the back during the summer as well. And I hate to see people or children riding in the back of a truck. How dangerous!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It is part of the adoption agreement for most rescue groups that you must agree never to let the dog ride in the back of an open pickup truck. Of course, realistically it would be pretty tough to enforce it, but at least when people read it and agree to it, they might realize it's the wrong thing to do.

[HeatherA]

I was reading this a little embarrassed.. I'm in Texas -- we still have people that let PEOPLE ride in the back of their truck on the freeway. *facepalm*

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I absolutely will not follow a truck with a dog in the back - even though in California they are 'secured.' All of the possible horrible scenarios just run through my mind so I either speed up and pass them or take another route. I just can't watch the poor dogs in the back.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I'm the same way-I pass them if I can. Plus what people often do here is put a dog in the back of a pickup in 100 degree weather and drive them around in the sun. Often it is a BLACK dog which is even worse!! The bed of the truck is probably 200 degrees!!! Plus they have the hot wind blowing on them. They may be secured but now they are roasting!!!

[Adina P]

I don't like to see it either. I particularly hate when I'm driving BEHIND a truck with a dog in the back because I have this fear it will fall out in front of my car and I'll hit it...or (like a story I heard once) the truck will make a hard stop and the dog will fall toward me and break through my windshield and get hurt and possibly hurt us both.

I think it's VERY common for farm dogs to travel in the back of pick-ups and back in the day before crates and seat belts and all that...it wasn't considered unsafe in the same way that kids in cars without car seats wasn't considered unsafe...it was just the way it was. And when you just don't hear about accidents (yes the odd story here and there) on a regular basis it starts to feel safe for those who do it. We KIDS used to sit in the back of my dad's truck and travel on the freeway (and I'm not that old).

I think if dogs got hurt really frequently like that we'd see less of it. People don't intentionally put their dogs in major danger...but danger is perception and if they think it won't happen to them (because the oddball accidents they hear about sound like flukes)...well they won't change what they do. That and dogs LOOOOVE riding in the back so they think the same flawed thinking that those who feed their dogs too much think and parents who spoil their kids think: But my dog LOVES it!

I'm particularly amazed at how most dogs seem to STAY there when the trucks are parked. They don't typically jump out and run around exploring...that amazes me for some reason.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I saw a guy the other day with a dog on the back of his motorcycle. He had some kind of little carrier on the back and the dog was sitting in it. The sides of the carrier were only about three inches high and he had the dog tethered to a hook, but it could move around in the carrier. I thought to myself, I hope he doesn't have to stop suddenly or that dog is in big trouble.

[Doodle]

First of all that story is awful! I'm so sorry for that poor dog that fell off the truck! I can't believe the dog showed up at the doorstep. Amazing!!!!
I read this story and I was upset that I read such a sad story and was SOOO relieved to read the happy ending.

We are actually interested in an Airedoodle. Do you know the woman's name? Or where she is from??
Thank you for your time.
Liz

[Camilla and Darwin]

I can't make recommendations here in the forum but I also don't feel comfortable recommending her. I'm not convinced she is a responsible breeder so i don't really want to point you to her. But good luck in your search!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I cringe when I see dogs or people riding in the back of trucks. Where I live it is agains the law for passengers to ride in the back of trucks. But we still have 1 idiot who allows his small children (first grade & under) to ride in the back of his truck. I guess I am the cranky old b!$@ch of the neighborhood as I informed him of the fact. The next time I saw the kids riding in the back of the truck I called our local police. Haven't seen the kids in the back of the truck since.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

You go Nina! You were good to do that.