orangeTT

My problem is that my TTR is my only car and I'd really love to get a dog. However I'd also love to be able to take the dog out, especially in the gorgeous summer weather with the top down. But naturally I'm worried about the ramifications of doing that on a regular basis.

Does anyone else on the forum have a dog that they routinely take out in their TT? Anything that I should be aware of (other than obviously the going to the bathroom on the seats)? Though I have yet to find one, I'm assuming there are companies out there that make car seat covers for pet owners, particularly waterproof ones.

Any thoughts or comments from dog owners would be greatly appreciated. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to do this, short of buying another car (which I'm going to need to do in time anyway). Should I wait or just take the necessary precautions and go for it?

MarTTy

You would probably have to cover both seats, a dogs claws will put a hole in leather

joe@vwvortex

several TT owners have em.

Chuck Palm

I have raised and shown dogs for 40 years. If you get a large dog, seatcovers will be needed for sure.

Right now I have only one dog, a miniature Dachshund. He rides with me all the time. He does no damage with his claws. I do keep is toenails well trimmed and I file them a bit for smooth edges.

Urine should be no problem once the pet is an adult. Dogs are usually not tempted to urinate while driving however some dogs can get car sick.
That's an uglier issue than urine or feces.

Don't forget that many dogs like to chew leather, gear shift *****, and the like. Young dogs like to dig with their paws. Do not leave the dog alone in the car, for this and many other reasons.

Convertibles are unsafe for dogs without a special doggy safety harness. Go to PETSMART or PETCO for this. (You can get it a TT monogram if you're lucky! TEE HEE!)Seriously, in an accident, a dog can be thrown out of the vehicle and be killed, injured, lost or paralized. Also some dogs will jump out on their own. They often do not understand the dangers involved in high speed driving!

orangeTT

I honestly hadn't thought about the dog simply jumping out of the car so that brings up a good point to consider.

What exactly does the safety harness do? Is it just a really short leash that attaches to somewhere on the interior of the car?

Also ... the dog I was considering is a lab which I guess you could say would be a medium sized dog.

orangeTT

Very very lucky doggy!

Chuck Palm

In 1967 I was on my way to a dog show with a Gordon Setter bitch named "Matilda." It was a gorgeous day and the dog show was in Marin County. I decided to drive the M.G. I tied Matilda to the door handle with a medium length leash. I was driving down the Nimitz Freeway at about 70MPH when, you guessed it, Matilda jumprd out of the car. I paniced! Pulled the leash with all my might and literally dragged her back into the car with no injuries. I guess the leash must have accidentally been the perfect length. Anyway, Matilda was unscathed and we went on to the show. She was "Winners Bitch" for a five point major and finished her championship that day.I've laughed about that story over many a glass of wine! I need the wine after that incedent!

P.S. The auto harnesses act almost like a seat belt/shoulder harness for dogs.They are somewhat restrictive but can save your dog's life!

JoTT

It essentially is made of 1-inch-wide webbing, crossing behind and in front of the front legs. Because it is wide webbing,it doesn't bother Sam (cat). And, on the top, it has a relatively long loop (perhaps 2 feet long if unlooped). You put the seat belt through that. Now, Sam can move around but is held on the car. He loves to lay on my lap and I have been known to buckle him into mine on occasion. I generally used the setup when driving from NJ to the Maine coast for my annual vacation.

You probably should always have the pet buckled (like a kid), but I generally didn't. However, it was great during stretches on toll roads, for example, when Sam might have jumped out the window. (He never has been crazy about the car trips, anyway.)

Here in Texas, I see lots of dogs hanging out the windows. I keep waiting to see one jump out. A loose dog in a busy Plano intersection recently tied up traffic as a dozen people tried to catch it. Don't know if it had jumped out....

PaTT

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/1498/ride1.jpg"></center><p>I've been using a horse blanket tied over the passenger seat for this purpose (see pic), but recently got the Wet Okoles as a more elegant/permanent solution.

Agree about the harness -- you should consider one for top-down dog transport.

Kurt

My Yellow Lab ate my plastic cup holder parts. I still love him, though!!