Feedback on Dog crate Idea

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 8:49 pm

Hey everyone,
I am considering building a dog box for my dog to travel in instead of buying one. What makes my idea unique, is that it's for the back seat area of my Dodge dakota Quad cab. I am thinking about taking out the larger of the two folding rear seat sections in my Dakota, and putting in a box for my dog to ride in. the area is about 30" wide, 30" deep, and I want to build it no taller than about 32-34". I plan to construct it out of wood(2x4 base, 2x2 frame, and probably like 1/4" siding/flooring) I am also going to cover the outside with fabric similar to what the carpet in the truck is made of. I will drill about 8-10 1-1/2" holes on each side. This crate will be bolted to the floor where the seat was originally bolted.. I am also considering wiring in a small fan to the back of the box, so I can give my pup additional airflow.

I just thought I'd see if anyone had any suggestions, or concerns about my idea.
Also, what should I line the inside with???
Sorry about the long explanation.
Thanks in advance for everyones time and suggeestions.

Jon

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:06 am

Mn,
I am in the process of building something similar right now, except it's for the back of my truck. It's a poor mans dog box. I have a topper on my truck so in the warmer months I use a wire crate and just open the side windows for ventaltion, the one I'm building now has 1" foam insulation on all sides and I will stuff it with hay for the winter. As soon as I finish it I will try to post pics, hopefully today or tomorrow.

P.S my dimentions are a little smaller than yours, inside #'s are 32Lx21Wx24H to big and he can't keep warm.

jkoehler · Post by **jkoehler** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:08 am

Great idea, I like it, but if your dog works like mine and gets wet, that could be a real sticky mess after a while, your truck will smell like, well, crap.

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:14 am

jkoehler wrote:Great idea, I like it, but if your dog works like mine and gets wet, that could be a real sticky mess after a while, your truck will smell like, well, crap.

Thanks for the compliment. As far as the smelliness goes, I plan to make the floor of the crate removeable so that I can take it out to clean it after each trip. I just need to figure out what kind of material to use that cleans off easily, and is still comfrotable for the dog.

As far as size goes, How high should I make it?? Is 30" high more than enough?? Also, how big should the opening be for the dog to climb in and out easily??

Kevin, I would really like to see yours when its done. It would really help me visualize what I am trying to do.

Thanks everyone!

Jon

portsider44 · Post by **portsider44** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:16 am

MNGSP wrote:Hey everyone,

I will drill about 8-10 1-1/2" holes on each side. This crate will be bolted to the floor where the seat was originally bolted.. I am also considering wiring in a small fan to the back of the box, so I can give my pup additional airflow.
Jon

I think you would need larger vents. Also where are you planning on putting the vents? In a line across the top or scattered on the sides? I think you would be better off putting 8-10 slots that are some where around 1" wide & 6-8" long with the mid point of the slot at the mid point of the box. I would also put slots on the front & back. Then you could mount a vacuum fan in the top & it would draw air thru the box.

jkoehler wrote:Great idea, I like it, but if your dog works like mine and gets wet, that could be a real sticky mess after a while, your truck will smell like, well, crap.

I think he has a point here & being made of wood it would tend to absorb the odors.

snips · Post by **snips** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:53 am

I actually have a welded metal dog box that I had made for the back of a Van I used to have. It would fit 3 dogs. Compartments are long and narrow. It is made or an inside area, not a pick up unless it has a topper on it. I would take 350. for it.

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:10 pm

OK here are the pics,

It took a couple hours to build and less than $100 canadian. The plywood is 3/8 fir good one side, i used 1" foam insulation (R5) and screwed and glued everything together. I used some leftovers like the 1/2 copper pipe on the front door,also ripped some 2x4 down to 1x1's for the frame. I will put corner bead on all the corners and arberite(sp) or melamine(sp) glued to the floor for easier cleaning.

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:01 pm

That's exactly what I am looking to make...Except that it will be for the back seat of my pickup. Great idea with the copper tubing!! I wanted to do something like that for the door, but I couldn't think of what to make the rod. I'll have to put up some pics when I get around to building it. Thanks a ton Kevin!

Jon

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:05 pm

portsider44 wrote: I think you would need larger vents. Also where are you planning on putting the vents? In a line across the top or scattered on the sides? I think you would be better off putting 8-10 slots that are some where around 1" wide & 6-8" long with the mid point of the slot at the mid point of the box. I would also put slots on the front & back. Then you could mount a vacuum fan in the top & it would draw air thru the box.
jkoehler wrote:Great idea, I like it, but if your dog works like mine and gets wet, that could be a real sticky mess after a while, your truck will smell like, well, crap.
I think he has a point here & being made of wood it would tend to absorb the odors.

I was planning on putting the vent holes on all sides, front and back. I could probably make them bigger...Like 2" diameter.
I am planning on putting some type of removeable liner in the box so I can take it out and wash it when necessary. SOme type of canvas, or something.

Jon

portsider44 · Post by **portsider44** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 5:32 pm

Kevin,

Nice job on the box. I also like they fact that you can put hooks on the side & have place to hang things.

For hunting in Texas it would need more ventilaltion to keep the dog cool.

Also is that the Delmar SMith WOnder lead I dee in the picture & if so do you like??

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 7:08 pm

Ya,

I just gonna use my wire kennel in the back during the summer, it does get hot but not as hot as texas

Main concern is to keep the dog warm up here in canada.

That is the wonder lead, I just got it about a week ago and have only used it a couple of times, but I do like it.

Cheers

jkoehler · Post by **jkoehler** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:29 am

Kevin,
That turned out real nice, I like what you did with the 1/2" copper on the door!
Question for MNGSP , Whats going to be the advatage of putting the box in the back seat rather than just in the back of the pickup box?

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:11 pm

jkoehler wrote:Kevin,
That turned out real nice, I like what you did with the 1/2" copper on the door!
Question for MNGSP , Whats going to be the advatage of putting the box in the back seat rather than just in the back of the pickup box?

I guess the main reason is that I have a fiberglass tonneau cover, and a dog box won't fit under it. I would take it off, but I like the lockable storage area. Secondly, I would like my dog to be as comfortable as possible on long trips, to minimize any anxiety she may have....I can also "talk" to her and she can keep me company

Overall, I guess I just had an idea and went with it. I am completing my degree in Civil Engineering this fall; I am always looking for things to improve/create..I guess it's just in my nature

.

Jon

Post by **grant** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:21 pm

MNGSP wrote:I can also "talk" to her and she can keep me company
Jon

Sounds like me. Lins laughs at my conversations with the dogs...

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:05 pm

MNGSP,

If it's gonna be in the back seat of the truck why not just use a wire crate, there's heating and air conditioning, no real need for protection from the elements just containment. Just a suggestion...

Good luck

Post by **grant** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:08 pm

Jon,

I needed to cut costs, here's what I came up with as a dog box:

Post by **grant** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:12 pm

It's not the best... Especially when you get out. Even if its for a second, you'll have 2 GSP's in front. One in the drivers seat and one in the passengers...

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:51 pm

That's a great piicture Grant!

That would definitely be the most economical, that's for sure. That's what I've done in the past, but I wanted a way to keep the dog in one spot, to minimize the fur, mud, leaves, etc. that are bound to get tracked all over the car. Believe me...I've cleaned enough muddy paw prints off the seats, and nose juice off of the windows to have learned my lesson.

And Kevin, I would just buy a wire cage, but I like making stuff myself. Its just the way I am.
Plus, I won't have to listen to a wire cage rattle all the way to wherever I may be going.

Jon

Post by **grant** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:54 pm

I really use a crate "most" of the time... Its a funny pic though...

MNGSP · Post by **MNGSP** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:22 am

I really use a crate "most" of the time... Its a funny pic though...

For some reason...I just don't know if I believe you

Jon

portsider44 · Post by **portsider44** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:33 am

grant wrote:I really use a crate "most" of the time... Its a funny pic though...

Come on Grant fess up!! We know you're the guy driving down the street with a dog head sticking out the drivers & passengers window.

llewgor · Post by **llewgor** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:16 pm

i use a carrier pad in the kennel's . they're like a pillow with a zipper cover you can removed wash in your machine and hang dry. also duluth trading co. makes a cover for your back seat that goes from the front seat headrest to the back seat headrest. it's like a u shape that kepts the dogs in the center away from the floor or seat material.

Post by **grant** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:58 am

I'd die if I didn't...

ahahaha

Kage's big butt doesn't know his size and strength... He just forces his way into the front and licks you to death...

You should see him get excited in the basement and leap onto lindsay on the couch! Nails her like a NFL linebacker! I laugh, then get the whole "are you just going to sit there and laugh!" spill... :roll:

Thats my boy

ourhunters · Post by **ourhunters** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 10:21 am

I thought we had the only linebacker GSP. Yikes, those dogs just don't know there own strength. Eight leaps up onto furniture like he's on a springboard. The other day as I was thinking how good my neck was feeling after a massage the day before, I was in the process of bending over to get somthing off of the floor and through the air comes flying Eight and 60 pounds of steel hits me right in the side of the neck and face. Needless to say, I was in some serious pain. It's like he has no clue where you are, just wants to be at our level.... He's such a sweet boy that I couldn't be mad. I feel your pain Lindsay!

Caren

Colleen · Post by **Colleen** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:41 am

My boyfriend is buying a small pick-up (Ranger) and getting rid of his Pathfinder. I told him no way in h--- is he putting our dogs (MY precious babies) in the bed of his truck loose. Especially not that crazy little Biscuit, she's already tried to hop up onto the back of my Cabriolet...while the top was down. One squirrel or bird would be all it took for her to jump outta the truck. Sometimes I'm amazed by how sharp she is...sometimes I wonder what idiot dog is inhabiting her body momentarily.

So we are going to be building something along the lines of the box Kevin built. We need a lot more ventilation than his has, it gets way too hot here. We have wire crates for them, but Fletcher's is his 'room' in the house and Biscuit we still don't trust loose in the house when we're not home. Plus, Biscuit's is a large and Fletcher's is an XL, so in case of a wreck, they're still gonna go flying around. Boyfriend is engineering student, so he should do pretty well with designing it, but I'd like to know what's worked for others in building a well-ventilated dog box, primarily out of wood if possible. I'm afraid with too many vent slats, wood just won't be strong enough to not bust open if we got in a wreck, but our budget is limited. Also, would it be a better idea to build a box for each dog, or one just big enough to fit them both? I'm afraid cramming them both in the same one will just add to the heat factor.

The dogs will still be riding in the cab with us a lot of the time, and the dog boxes will really only be for when they are too gross to be in the cab, or if for some reason there's no room in the back seat for them.

sudiegirl · Post by **sudiegirl** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:39 am

how much is this costing people to build once you finish with the insulation, ventilation bars, latches, etc?

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:09 pm

Mine was just under $100 canadian....so that's about $10 US

LOL

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Feedback on Dog crate Idea

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