Well take it from me when I say don't leave your dog in the car too long, cause mine ate the material off the front edge of my dash. The part that is the textured top of the dash, right above the airbag cover. Now I doubt that any of you have had this exact thing happen but I need to know somethings. Is that top part of the dash removable or is it made into the structure of the dash. My car is Chili Red and I was thinking about recovering the dash in maybe a fade resistant red "suede", or would you just go back with a black or something close to stock.

 

That would be a sweet look, good luck and feed the dog

 

The dash top is replaceable, but it's about a $350 part. Fortunately, since you have an '04, it's fairly easy to remove and replace. My '06 is a pain in the butt by comparison.

 

I love cats. :P Good luck with the dash. Ugh.

 

To what?

 

mine is hard to remove as well. But the '04 wasn't.

May the dog RIP.

 

The dog already RIPped, Tigs. Weren't you paying attention??

 

How much was chewed off? Any pics?

 

I'll make sure I put some pics up tomorrow. And just for everyone's info Lulu (the dash eating dog) is still alive but still not on my "good" side.

 

I love dogs and I have to say that you got off pretty easy.

http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212883

I love `em but even after that I would have to think about it.

 

I heard about a Jack Russel Terrier getting through the back seat of a Lexus to get to the lamb chops in the trunk, so you got off easy.
I once had a J.R.T. that started ripping a front seat of my Jetta... like I said HAD.

 

Not to stray off topic, but since it is getting warmer out, and talkin bout dogs in cars, thought id add: when its 85-degrees out, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within ten minutes! After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees.

Also, on hot and humid days, the temperature in a car parked in sunlight can rise more than 30 degrees per minute!

Ok, sorry, just had to add.

 

I gotta say....I'm a lucky guy. I could leave Nakita, in the MINI, with a rump roast in a grocery bag on the floor and she wouldn't touch it. Great pooch!

 

Well here's the pics sorry I was alittle late getting them on here. And the day they were in there it was only about 72 for the high and the car was in the shade, If I have to leave them in the car on hot days I leave it running with the a/c on and lock the door with a valet key. But does anybody know of an inexpensive suede or look alike suede that will resist fading since it will be on top the dash.

P.S. I also noticed the other day that Lulu got her mouth around my passenger front a-pillar.

 

See this thread for details on interior suede.

The dash top is quick/easy to remove:
open doors
pop out side panels
remove two (T20?) screws on each side
lift off

You should be able to find a replacement at a bone yard. I don' think the suede will cover the chew marks smoothly.

 

You need to send those pics to the "Dog ****" on Animal Planet. Victoria on "It's Me Or My Dog". She'll cure that nasty habit.
-skip-

 

After you replace it you may want to spray it and other parts with Bitter Yuck. It won't hurt the car or dog and the taste is terrible, so it discourages eating or licking.
I had a Doberman who chewed through my seat belt two different times. It was a long time ago and in a Jeep, but it was a shock to go out and try to put on your seatbelt only to find it severed at the shoulder. One of my other Dobes, King Henry the 8th (now 3) ate through the bottom of our bedroom door. I didn't realize he had gone in there before we went out to dinner.
Our Min Pin loves it as he can lay in the hall and look into the room.

Good luck with the dash!