| 2Labs |
Hi, my first post, and I'm close to ordering a 2002 MDX (SS or GG, if it's available in '02). I've really enjoyed reading the posts so far, lots of good info.
Anyway, as my name suggests, I've got 2 dogs that I plan to transport in the back of the MDX. (A second kid on the way, and our Saab 900 just will not hold the family and the luggage-- right now we have to stuff the luggage around our son in the back seat and the 2 dogs ride in the hatchback). Have seen some helpful threads about pets in general here, throughout, but was wondering:
is there an accessory that would divide the cargo area (w/3d seats down) in half lengthwise? I'm planning on getting a separation net (sounds like Tim is the guy to order from, rather than the dealer), to separate the dogs from the 2nd seat -- but would love to keep them in one half of the back (or 2/3) and have a place for luggage in the rest. The Saab 9-5 wagon has a cool accessory that does this -- but, of course, its not an MDX!
Thanks for any suggestions!
2Labs (and soon to be 2kids and 2cars) |
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| 2Labs |
In general, for those of you w/dogs (or other animals -- I saw a pig picture in here somewhere!), how do they like the back?
W/the idea that a picture is worth 1000 words (and i haven't explained exactly), the saab divider cab be seen at http://www.saabcatalog.com/mainframesetx.icl -- click under 9-5, then "load carrying" and it is called "cargo space divider" |
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| TheWorm |
I'm not aware of the divider you're referring to being available for the MDX. What we use depends on who else is in the car and where we want the dog:
Sep net if baby's in the car and wife is in a neurotic mood (we have a golden and she is somewhat exuberant): dog stays in cargo area. Only downside is there are no windows back there to open for her and she isn't strapped in.
My preference is to belt the dog in in the 2nd row, next to baby and the window. We use the Ruff Rider dog belt (www.ruffrider.com) although this will probably be impractical for you given the number of passengers.
There was a thread on alternatives quite some time ago -- like maybe 6 months. You could try searching for it using "dog" or even ruffrider.
Good luck! |
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| 2Labs |
Thanks worm
I found some old posts about dog seatbelts, and visited the ruffrider site -- I'd never thought of that and they sound like a good idea (they could share the 3rd seat w/belts, or maybe just use the back seatbelts lying down).
3rd row seatbelts -- yet another reason to get the MDX
(now I need to convince my wife that we need to buy it ...) |
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| bluetooth |
Hi 2labs, I am a 1lab! my yellow-kid gets the entire cargo area (he is the only one travelling firstclass!)
I know exactly what you are talking about - we were considering a volvo before this and one of the factory accessories was a cargo divider for dogs. I haven't yet found a generic version to serve that purpose. I currently have a generic petguard from a petshop. with luggage, in addition to putting them by our feet (except the driver), I put it on one side of the cargo and use a cargo net to prevent it from rolling over, so that the dog get's the other half without luggage being thrown over. This works most of the time. Sometimes, I try to put the petguard 6-8 inches away from the 2nd row seat. This creates a small section behind the 2nd row seat to put small bags.
The dog still gets plenty of room to spread out and do what he enjoys the most - sleep!
I have always avoided allowing him in the front row or the 2nd row - not sure if his nails can damage the leather, plus, he sheds like any other lab and his hair all over the car drives me crazy (like it happened in my old car). I put a cargo liner, plus 2 layers of sheets in the cargo before the pooch gets to go in! Even then I find his hair on the cargo carpet and the speaker cover! |
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| 2Labs |
Thanks bluetooth
I've ordered my mdx and now have to settle down for the long wait! I'm definitely going to get a cargo liner b/c, w/2labs, we have DOUBLE the dog hair! At least its black, goes w/the ebony interior. My mom has a yellow lab who rides in the back of her volvo w/grey interior, and boy can you see it!
I hadn't thought about the cargo net, that could be a good way to hold stuff in place.
One question -- what is a petguard? is it some sort of plastic wall or divider? Also, do you have the cargo separator? I think we'll have to get it, b/c our lab BUSTER (appropriately named) likes to hop over onto the seats in our other car, and he's NOT going to do that in our new one!
go labs |
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| bluetooth |
my last car (suby station wgn) had grey interior and I had to spend 300 bucks to get it cleaned before I could sell it (plus had to give a huge discount as you could still see hair. Plus, had to spend another $400 as our 'buster' had 'dug' a hole in the cargo carpet!!!)
a petguard is just a metal grid partition - they sell them at pet stores (like the petsmart) and these are generic (can go in any SUVs or wagons- they are adjustible and can be put either behind the 2nd row or behind the front row - and you can give the entire cargo area with 2nd row folded down to the dogs)... you could also try 'sports rack' - i had seen a pretty neat one out there... Plus, these seperators just have a couple of parallel bars with a cross bar going across - this is good as you can still put you hands across and pat the dogs and the dogs also dont feel too claustrophobic (as opposed to the seperators with tiny square grid patterns...
I am not sure how well cargo separators will work, as they are made of fabric/nylon... any energetic lab can get his/her paws entangled in it or might even tear it if they panic and try to jump over (all the screen doors in my house are damaged!) |
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| 2Labs |
i feel your pain about the old car, if we ever had to sell our current one, we'd kill a few vacuums trying to clean it (besides the dogs, there's a kid, who adds cheerios, etc. to crevices ...)
one thing that worried me about the separation net was exactly the problem you mentioned -- its destructability by those ingenious and tenacious labs. Buster's first big trip he was left in the car, and he chewed through our seat belts (which weren't attached to him at all, just in the car). That was a pricey repair.
So a metal divider from the petstore may work out just fine. I'll take a look next time I'm at petco. Thanks for the advice. |
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