Creating "dog mode"

[Tiger Dude]

if you remote start with the app, it now has the option to extend the time.

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[Hunters Edge]

I think time frame is the more important factor here. Who leaves their dogs all day wasting fuel? Not me. Sure lots of bad things can happen but living life in fear of statistics is just not something im willing to do.

Just witnessed recently a vehicle running when I entered a grocery store with a dog inside the vehicle. Not sure how long it was there before I arrived. Well 45 minutes or so, it was still running when I left. Not sure when the owner or driver actually arrived. It's a scenario that can easily change at a moments notice. Many articles of children dying being left in a car. My guess the parent or guardian got sidetracked or lost the ability to tell time. Also I guess it wouldn't matter at least to you if you happened to collapse from dehydration, heart attack, stroke etc basically waking up at the hospital hours later, stuff happens. Everybody thinks it won't happen to them, until it does. I don't understand why take a risk with someone you supposedly love and adore. Dogs have unconditional love, I wished we had that trait.

Grab a leash and take him in, or leave him home.

I appreciate your post. It's something that should not be promoted on social media. You may make it quick but others like I posted far longer, and I doubt they had a temp monitor.

 

[Gonzo chris]

I think time frame is the more important factor here. Who leaves their dogs all day wasting fuel? Not me. Sure lots of bad things can happen but living life in fear of statistics is just not something im willing to do.

True but where I differ is I'm putting my dog at risk not myself. A quick stop might be different but my dog is kind of stuck in his ways and not super outdoorsy other than neighborhood walks.
I live in a low crime area in Bucks county PA but some of the more adventurous criminals from Philly have been driving up to steal cars occasionally and unfortunately

 

[Waterick]

My dog would eventually bite on the gear selector and step on the parking brake release,...doggone.... he already knows how to roll the windows down

OP is using remote start and not leaving a key in the vehicle. The Maverick will not shift out of park w/o the key/fob present. Activate the window disable button. Ah... That's something the OP can add to his list, depending on his dog.

 

[Kingfish]

I feel like the dogs take care of that issue. I also have no intention to leave my truck in a area where theft is likely with my dogs in it for more than 15-25 min or so. Also my dogs are Batman and Harvey Dent, not exactly a combination you want to upset smashing a window or fishing for a unlock. It wont be a pleasant ride. Unless the car thief is going to murder my 2 dogs in broad daylight, in a short time frame. Im sure as hell not parking somewhere that that sort of thing happens. Also you can throw a hat over the keys so they arent easily visible in the column.

Sounds like a really good theft deterrent. My dog can look fierce, but he'd mostly just try to get away. Good idea higing the keys.

 

[Kingfish]

They do make side window mounted exhaust fans you could consider if you wanted to. Narrow full width fans that you roll the window up to lock into place (thus easily removable). Usually solar powered. Doubt you want to go that far, but would be an option to ensure some air exchange/flow.

Could be a camping option!

 

[Kingfish]

OP is using remote start and not leaving a key in the vehicle. The Maverick will not shift out of park w/o the key/fob present. Activate the window disable button. Ah... That's something the OP can add to his list, depending on his dog.

Ooh, window disable is a great idea!

 

[Kingfish]

True but where I differ is I'm putting my dog at risk not myself. A quick stop might be different but my dog is kind of stuck in his ways and not super outdoorsy other than neighborhood walks.
I live in a low crime area in Bucks county PA but some of the more adventurous criminals from Philly have been driving up to steal cars occasionally and unfortunately

Risk is my main concern. There's definitely increased risk just by taking doggo along. But the reward of him loving to camp and hike are worth it.

That said, I want to mitigate the risk as much as possible. This thread has helped a lot.

 

[Kingfish]

Just witnessed recently a vehicle running when I entered a grocery store with a dog inside the vehicle. Not sure how long it was there before I arrived. Well 45 minutes or so, it was still running when I left. Not sure when the owner or driver actually arrived. It's a scenario that can easily change at a moments notice. Many articles of children dying being left in a car. My guess the parent or guardian got sidetracked or lost the ability to tell time. Also I guess it wouldn't matter at least to you if you happened to collapse from dehydration, heart attack, stroke etc basically waking up at the hospital hours later, stuff happens. Everybody thinks it won't happen to them, until it does. I don't understand why take a risk with someone you supposedly love and adore. Dogs have unconditional love, I wished we had that trait.

Grab a leash and take him in, or leave him home.

I appreciate your post. It's something that should not be promoted on social media. You may make it quick but others like I posted far longer, and I doubt they had a temp monitor.

Totally agree. People do dumb stuff all the time. I know just taking him in the car is a risk. Heck, so is leaving him at home alone. But if I can greatly reduce the risk so he can do some of his favorite things, I'll do it. The ideas in this thread have helped a lot.

I'd never leave him there alone for more than 15 minutes.

 

[Maverickman74]

True but where I differ is I'm putting my dog at risk not myself. A quick stop might be different but my dog is kind of stuck in his ways and not super outdoorsy other than neighborhood walks.
I live in a low crime area in Bucks county PA but some of the more adventurous criminals from Philly have been driving up to steal cars occasionally and unfortunately

It all depends for me. Parking spot selection is also important. Circle the lot to get a spot up front by the store entrance. I certainly wouldnt be leaving my dogs in there parked on a roadside, or way out in the back of a lot where the lights dont shine and the carts are turned into campers. I just cant think of any place I would even go where security would be that big of an issue. Situational planning is a good personal tool.

 

[Oscarcat]

I've been working on a "dog mode" setup that will allow me to safely leave doggo in the truck for short periods of time on hot days.

This is useful on long trips when visits to the bathroom and supply stops ate unavoidable. It'll also be nice to not have to go home in between trail walks and running errands. These are very common (weekly at least) scenarios during the 4-plus months it's too hot to sit in a car here.

Here's what I have/am planning:

Remote start: After exiting the truck, lock it, hit the remote start. I have it set for 15 minute run time. Need to make sure the AC is on. You can extend the runtime with the key fob if needed. This is better than leaving the truck running with keys in for obvious reasons.

Tinted windows and sunshade: to minimize internal heat. Also to block the view so passersby don't worry about the dog in the truck and don't know if someone is in it with the engine running. I have the sunshade but haven't tinted to front windows yet.

Temp monitor: use the Waggle (or similar) temp monitor I'll get for my camp trailer soon in the truck to make sure nothing goes wrong. I don't have this yet.

We tested the remote start opten on a long drive this week. We only left it going for about 5 minutes since I don't have the temp monitor yet. But it allowed us a quick run in for bathroom and coffee stops and the truck was nice and chilly when we got back.

It's a simple thing, but it makes these trips a lot more convenient.

Any other ideas for fool-proofing dog mode?

Cooling fans [compact] used in computer towers are available in 12 volt DC. You might use this to help circulate air, plug into aux power in front console.

Sliding rear window? Open that for circulation. Water bowl for dog.

 

[Maverickman74]

Just witnessed recently a vehicle running when I entered a grocery store with a dog inside the vehicle. Not sure how long it was there before I arrived. Well 45 minutes or so, it was still running when I left. Not sure when the owner or driver actually arrived. It's a scenario that can easily change at a moments notice. Many articles of children dying being left in a car. My guess the parent or guardian got sidetracked or lost the ability to tell time. Also I guess it wouldn't matter at least to you if you happened to collapse from dehydration, heart attack, stroke etc basically waking up at the hospital hours later, stuff happens. Everybody thinks it won't happen to them, until it does. I don't understand why take a risk with someone you supposedly love and adore. Dogs have unconditional love, I wished we had that trait.

Grab a leash and take him in, or leave him home.

I appreciate your post. It's something that should not be promoted on social media. You may make it quick but others like I posted far longer, and I doubt they had a temp monitor.

I fail to see the issue with the truck running and the AC on. Also I am not a parent, so my mind is not so burnt out and preoccupied that I cant tell time. If it was one of my unreliable old beater vehicles it would also be a different story, because the AC dont work, and the dogs would be in there with all the windows half down, shades up and a couple battery powered fans next to their water dish. Ice cold AC for 15-20 min not a big deal.

 

[Kingfish]

Cooling fans [compact] used in computer towers are available in 12 volt DC. You might use this to help circulate air, plug into aux power in front console.

Sliding rear window? Open that for circulation. Water bowl for dog.

Good call on the dog bowl. I keep a bowl in the truck. And I usually have a bottle of water with me.

 

[Kingfish]

It all depends for me. Parking spot selection is also important. Circle the lot to get a spot up front by the store entrance. I certainly wouldnt be leaving my dogs in there parked on a roadside, or way out in the back of a lot where the lights dont shine and the carts are turned into campers. I just cant think of any place I would even go where security would be that big of an issue. Situational planning is a good personal tool.

Great points.

For me these are always quick stops in very public places. I won't be leaving him in the truck while I furniture shop. And he is only with me when we're going on a trail or camping, so no inner city errand runs.

 

[Hunters Edge]

I fail to see the issue with the truck running and the AC on. Also I am not a parent, so my mind is not so burnt out and preoccupied that I cant tell time. If it was one of my unreliable old beater vehicles it would also be a different story, because the AC dont work, and the dogs would be in there with all the windows half down, shades up and a couple battery powered fans next to their water dish. Ice cold AC for 15-20 min not a big deal.

I respect your opinion but let's be frank, everyone has one. So I agree to disagree.

I'm not a fan of PETA but wanted to enlighten everyone on numbers per year. This first one is pets left in vehicles. The second link is dogs dieing in car accidents per year. Thus numbers on how dangerous it is having a pet in your vehicle. Majority of people do not understand or acknowledge the potential danger even in a fender bender. Not sure if there are any numbers of pets in a car causing an accident by being a distraction similar to cell phones.

https://www.peta.org/features/dogs-... receives reports,the ones that were reported.

"There isn't a consistent source for statistics on how many dogs die in car accidents in the United States each year, but estimates range from 80,000 to 100,000:

• 80,000
  According to the Vision Zero Partnership, this is the estimated number of dogs killed on roads each year.
• 100,000
  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, this is the estimated number of dogs killed in car accidents in the U.S. each year. American Humane also estimates that around 100,000 dogs are killed each year due to riding in pickup truck beds.
  
  American Veterinary Medical Association
  
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  How Many Dogs Die In Car Accidents? - CountyOffice.org
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  Road Safety for Pets - Vision Zero Partnership
  "Here at Woodgreen we strive to keep pets safe and happy. We want to focus on how we can h...

Some say that most car accidents involving dogs are avoidable, and there are steps you can take to keep your dog safe, such as:

• Using a crate, harness, or barrier to keep your dog secure and prevent distractions
• Never leaving your dog unattended in a car, especially in hot weather
• Having pet insurance "

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