I just bought a English Bulldog puppie (Rocko), picking up Oct 1st. I searched a bit on here but couldn't find any answers. My question is what is the best way to transport a dog in a mini? I thought I remember seeing a large mat that covers the entire rear with seats down and also covers the sides for a decent price, am I dreaming? I read that some of you have made your own from fabric and gromets.... any pics and / or layouts with measurements that worked? I do have a 91 Ford Explorer which will probably be the main transport but just in case Rocko wants to ride in my pride and joy, I want to be prepared.

Thanks.

 

The safest way to transport an animal is in their crate...Here's how I move mine around...With some careful packing, the three of you could do some traveling....If you need more space, take the SUV..

 

^^dang, look at that BIG smile on his face.

 

Some of us use doggie seatbelts. We discussed them here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=ruff+rider

 

We have 3 Saint Bernards, so crates are out of the question since the MINI is about the size crate that would be necessary.

I just fold the seats down, toss in an old bed spread for them to lay on, and have them pile into the back.

For a smaller dog or cats that are not the famous Lupe, a crate is the best solution. . .

 

We have two Chihuahuas's and they just ride on the lap. honestly, they don't really like riding in the MINIs. I think it's the manual shifting that annoys them. The love the cabrio though...

 

Do a search at www.bavauto.com for the KP00020 seat cover. Looks like just the thing.

 

There's an ad in MC2 for some kind of dog cover for the Mini.

 

Bulldog puppies are so cute! And will be so cute in a MINI! Ruff Rider seat belt has a program where you can buy a harness seat belt for the puppy and then send it back for a partial refund when you need to buy the next size out. Check out their website at www.ruffrider.com, and also be sure to check out the thread bamatt referenced.

 

I hope you dont have to do a panic stop very quickly because I think anyone would really hate to see two squashed little dogs in the windshield

 

Kenchan......That's the: "Are we going to the Vet?"....."It's too early in the day to be going to the Dog-Park"....LooK

 

My dogs are my kids so having them ride on my lap while in the MINI or my truck is out of the question. Would you drive around with your human kids on your lap?

For small dogs...the best place for them is there crate. Most crates have the ability to be hooked up to the seatbelt or tie down so the crate will not move.

 

We have a couple of Yorkies from Yuba City who ride in the back seat of their master's Mini.They are strapped in car seats and seem to enjoy the ride,probably not the ideal situation for your bulldog.Q

 

When he's small, there are little elevated "seats" that strap to the backseat, and it also has a clip to attach to your doggies collar/harness. It's what the yorkies that atcql is talking about. My Boston Terrier loved it when he was tiny!

Pics pics pics pics!

 

I second the elevated seat. We have a minature daschund, he loves his seat. It elevates him to the level of the window and yet it is scooped out so he can lay down comfortably without being thrown around.

 

EDIT: Never mind, I found it.

 

This is what I use for my Shih-Tzu

 

I've seen some sort of a rear seat sling [hooks on the seatback headrests] at Big Lots for about $40. Also at Big Lots, I saw [and purchased] a hugh pillow [$20] that fits exactly on top of my folded-down seats. My dog loves riding there and seems comfy and secure. I can also make it fit on top of the rear seats without folding them down...just makes his domain a tad smaller.

 

the problem with the mini is that they get thrown around quite a bit. (must be the handling ) i had that same problem with my porsche too, but it's not so bad in my pick-up truck. still, you really need to have them secured somehow.

 

My Yorkie seems to like her crate when riding around in the Mini. She doesn't like the manual shifting for some reason. I think it's because the Mini isn't as smooth as my old Mercedes was.

 

to ride. For short trips around town, they just ride in the back. A longer drive at higher speeds and they get strapped in. A long trip and they are kenneled. All 3 of my Bullies love to ride in the Mini...or any car for that matter.

 

I did a little research on this very subject, as my wife and I got a pug puppy a few months back. One very good point that I learned is that it is important to either have your dog in a crate, or in some kind of harness in the car. The first reason is obvious: if you crash, the dog won't go flying and get hurt. But the second one wasn't so obvious: They said that in the event of a serious crash, the dog may get out of the car (if a window is broken or open) and panic, and there is a very good chance of it getting hit by another car. I guess it is quite common in highway accidents where pets get out of the car and run across the highway. You can imagine the rest...

So keep your little loved one safe. We got a simple little harness from Petco that attaches to the lap strap of any seatbelt, and then attaches to the dogs collar. It allows them to move around in the back seat a bit, but will hold them in the event of a crash. Very easy to use, and to remove from the car when needed. Worth every penny in my eyes.