So I took my to dogs offroading for the first time last weekend. They were not too happy - could tell they were really anxious with all the bouncing around, inclines, declines, off camber, etc. I first started with the backseat (4dr.) down with the jeep gear backed up against the the front seat. They were all over the place and wouldn't settle down. The smaller one did try to settle in on top of right next to the back of the seat, but both were panting like maniacs. An hour in, I put back up the rear seat and kept them cargo area. Definitely an improvment - I guess less room was more in their mind, but they were still pretty anxious.

Maybe part of it is them just getting used to the bouncing around, but I'd like to hear suggestions what you've done to making your dogs more comforable during off road trips (they are perfectly fine on road). Would simply throwing bedding/blankets in the back do the trick? Thanks!

The not so happy offroaders during a break.

 

How anxious would you be if someone bound your hands so you could not hang on and stuck you back there, unrestrained "with all the bouncing around, inclines, declines, off camber, etc."

I take my dogs riding also, but not "wheelin'"

 

Cute dogs! Schnauzers are pretty stout and will get used to it and probably will come to just love it. We have a mini Schnauzer that we took with us on the Rubicon trail last summer. We had a very large canvas bag in the back seat (strapped on) that she made her home...she seemed most comfortable being able to dig in...even slept through some of it (and she rode in it the entire way...some pretty hard core stuff too). We had a harness on her connected to a leash we hung from the rear sound bar just in case so she wouldn't get tossed like a rag doll. We had the doors off too. She was a very happy dog the entire trip.

Neither of our dogs however, like riding on the highway the the doors off ...they will curl on our lap in a tight little ball and keep their eyes facing inward so as not to see the road speeding by (we always have a harness with leash connected).

Both our dogs (the other is a wheaton schnauzer mix) do have a hard time on flat surfaces and get tossed around...it wears them out. Best to have something soft they can get a grip on (even if it's your legs LOL)

Here she is on her bag (this pic is when the doors were still on on the long drive from So Cal)


Here it's hard to see but she's perched up there in the back seat.

 

My dog has her own doggie seat that she gets buckled into. We went one time and I held her the entire time. No matter what, she gets anxious. I do have doggy herbal relaxers, it is like us taking valerian root. I usually let her chew 1/2 before our very long car trips (over 6 hours). It just chills her out ever so slightly.

 

I would guess It completely depends on the dog. I've got an Australian Kelpie and he doesn't mind being tossed around at all. If a trail is pretty quiet I give him a break and let him out and he just runs along for a few miles.

 

Don't take your dog weelin.
When I was in the military, I took my dog into work one day, and went into the training area to do safety phone maintenance. All the rough roads, and low and behold the dog barfed all over the back seat of the truck.
Not only is the dog going to be scared to death, they may cause more of a mess than you want.

 

lol my dog loves to be bounced around, nothing bothers him exept being left home.