Need to modify hatch...and need suggestions?

skingery · 09-30-2007, 01:49 PM

I have a 2006 Prius, and have recently joined a Search and Rescue unit. I love my Prius and don't want to have to surrender to the SUV trend in Search and Rescue (and my Prius is wonderful getting to all the places I need) but I need to be able to leave a large German Shepherd in the vehicle with windows and hatch open. I looked for any type of seperator that could be placed in the space of the hatch door, but couldn't find anything. Does anyone have any suggestions? The barrier would help to keep people away from the dog (so she can rest while not searching) plus make me more comfortable leaving her.

Any suggestions or ideas? I just need something that can be secured and will allow air ventilation for the dog!

Thanks in advance

hyo silver · 09-30-2007, 02:04 PM

Leaving four windows down a bit should give your dog enough air. Adding some visors would keep the rain out. If you left the back seats down, or took out the floor in the trunk area, your dog would have more room. I'm not sure why the hatch needs to be left open, too, but you might be able to use some temporary fencing (that orange plastic web stuff) to fabricate a barrier.

koa · 09-30-2007, 02:20 PM

I made a cage out of 1" PVC pipe for my truck. You might be able to make something similar to fit the back of the Prius. PVC is easy to cut with PVC cutter (Home Depot, $13.00) and glue together. Look at all the fittings and you might be able to find something that will also unscrew for partial disassembly.

Godiva · 09-30-2007, 03:48 PM

I'm thinking a spider (horizontal) net only mounted vertically.

You'd have to buy both a vertical cargo net and a horizontal cargo net. Use the black plastic loop holders from the vertical net installed high to hold the spider net in a vertical position across the back open hatch.

Buy the vertical cargo net only don't install the loops where they belong. Instead, install them higher up. You'll have to see how high the spider net will stretch. Then use the horizontal net across the back hatch area, using the two lower loops on the floor of the cargo area and the two upper loops where you installed them. If your dog is well trained not to try to paw through the net, which I'm sure he is, this might do it for you.

skingery · 09-30-2007, 06:16 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Sep 30 2007, 02:04 PM) [snapback]519498[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Leaving four windows down a bit should give your dog enough air. Adding some visors would keep the rain out. If you left the back seats down, or took out the floor in the trunk area, your dog would have more room. I'm not sure why the hatch needs to be left open, too, but you might be able to use some temporary fencing (that orange plastic web stuff) to fabricate a barrier.
[/b]

I actually tried just leaving windows down, and I do have the seats down, but haven't taken the floor out (I keep an emergency kit there, and wouldn't want her into it.) The temp skyrocketed, especially if the outside temps are above 85 and/or there is little shade. Sun shades on the windows helped, but not enough to make it safe. Dogs overheat so very easily in those conditions. I will need something permenant....we will be doing this for the next 8-10 years. I would put a crate in....but the vehicle isn't large enough.

Thanks for the temp fencing suggestion...maybe we will try that for a little while.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Sep 30 2007, 03:48 PM) [snapback]519525[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I'm thinking a spider (horizontal) net only mounted vertically.

You'd have to buy both a vertical cargo net and a horizontal cargo net. Use the black plastic loop holders from the vertical net installed high to hold the spider net in a vertical position across the back open hatch.

Buy the vertical cargo net only don't install the loops where they belong. Instead, install them higher up. You'll have to see how high the spider net will stretch. Then use the horizontal net across the back hatch area, using the two lower loops on the floor of the cargo area and the two upper loops where you installed them. If your dog is well trained not to try to paw through the net, which I'm sure he is, this might do it for you.
[/b]

Oh, cool, that sounds like it might work. I am currently tieing her to an anchor in the back, and she hasn't chewed through that or jumped out....but when your on site in an emergency, you really want something that will help keep the people out of the car while still giving her plenty of air and space, and I was trying to figure out how to use one of those steel barriers, but it limited the space way too much, but I think your suggestion might work (and it is something I can sit down and try without too much expense/energy/risk.) I realize that none of this would keep a determined human or dog in or out, but visual barriers do a lot to remind people to mind thier manners.

Thanks!

Godiva · 09-30-2007, 07:24 PM

Personally, I think any human approaching a car with a large dog of any breed in it would be deterred by the dog alone. I mean, you don't know what kind of training that dog has. I'd be thinking....anyone leaving their car completely open with just the dog in it is pretty sure no one is going to successfully manage to mess with anything on the interior and get off scott free.

I'm taking the same logic as keeping houses safe from break ins.

The #1 deterrent is noisy neighbors who will call the police. But the #2 deterrent is a dog of any kind. Burglars and thieves do NOT like dogs.

If the net doesn't work, there's very little financial investment in the experiment and minimal damage to the Prius. The loops can stay in their new location no harm done.

You know, you can also leave the Prius running with the air conditioner on.

firepa63 · 10-01-2007, 07:22 AM

I vote for leaving the car running with the AC on. Due to the design of the Prius, the ICE will run only when the traction battery needs charging. You won't be burning much gas. Just make sure you leave the car in Park and not in Neutral!!!

CMonster · 10-01-2007, 09:07 AM

I have a 36"x24"x26" collapsible wire crate. With the hatch up, it fits perfectly in the back and I leave the monster in there all day at agility trials. A big Shepherd wouldn't be comfortable IN a crate that size, but you could use one as your barrier.

If there's no shady spot to park, I just put a sunscreen on the windshield and one on the sunny side of the crate, but a lot of people set up a tent over their vehicles. I think they're called EZ-ups?

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09-30-2007, 01:49 PM	#1
skingery Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have a 2006 Prius, and have recently joined a Search and Rescue unit. I love my Prius and don't want to have to surrender to the SUV trend in Search and Rescue (and my Prius is wonderful getting to all the places I need) but I need to be able to leave a large German Shepherd in the vehicle with windows and hatch open. I looked for any type of seperator that could be placed in the space of the hatch door, but couldn't find anything. Does anyone have any suggestions? The barrier would help to keep people away from the dog (so she can rest while not searching) plus make me more comfortable leaving her. Any suggestions or ideas? I just need something that can be secured and will allow air ventilation for the dog! Thanks in advance

09-30-2007, 02:04 PM	#2
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 7,249 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 31	Leaving four windows down a bit should give your dog enough air. Adding some visors would keep the rain out. If you left the back seats down, or took out the floor in the trunk area, your dog would have more room. I'm not sure why the hatch needs to be left open, too, but you might be able to use some temporary fencing (that orange plastic web stuff) to fabricate a barrier.

09-30-2007, 02:20 PM	#3
koa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 794 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I made a cage out of 1" PVC pipe for my truck. You might be able to make something similar to fit the back of the Prius. PVC is easy to cut with PVC cutter (Home Depot, $13.00) and glue together. Look at all the fittings and you might be able to find something that will also unscrew for partial disassembly.

09-30-2007, 07:24 PM	#6
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 9,947 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 3 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	Personally, I think any human approaching a car with a large dog of any breed in it would be deterred by the dog alone. I mean, you don't know what kind of training that dog has. I'd be thinking....anyone leaving their car completely open with just the dog in it is pretty sure no one is going to successfully manage to mess with anything on the interior and get off scott free. I'm taking the same logic as keeping houses safe from break ins. The #1 deterrent is noisy neighbors who will call the police. But the #2 deterrent is a dog of any kind. Burglars and thieves do NOT like dogs. If the net doesn't work, there's very little financial investment in the experiment and minimal damage to the Prius. The loops can stay in their new location no harm done. You know, you can also leave the Prius running with the air conditioner on.

10-01-2007, 07:22 AM	#7
firepa63 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 378 My Car: 2009 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I vote for leaving the car running with the AC on. Due to the design of the Prius, the ICE will run only when the traction battery needs charging. You won't be burning much gas. Just make sure you leave the car in Park and not in Neutral!!!

10-01-2007, 09:07 AM	#8
CMonster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 100 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have a 36"x24"x26" collapsible wire crate. With the hatch up, it fits perfectly in the back and I leave the monster in there all day at agility trials. A big Shepherd wouldn't be comfortable IN a crate that size, but you could use one as your barrier. If there's no shady spot to park, I just put a sunscreen on the windshield and one on the sunny side of the crate, but a lot of people set up a tent over their vehicles. I think they're called EZ-ups?