Dogs in the beds of pick up trucks - Any opinions?

I have never liked to see a dog in the bed of a moving truck, some even balancing on top of tool box. The dogs do seem to enjoy it, but it scares me and I personally could never do it.

Today at work my heart was breaking for this yellow lab in the back of a pick up. Coming back from lunch I parked beside the truck and the dog lifted it's head but laid back down.

About 20 minutes later it started pouring rain. Not sprinkling, pouring. I look out my office window and the truck is still there. I saw the dog pop it's head up as if to say "Hey master, hurry up, I'm getting soaked here". It laid back down.

When I left my office a couple hours later it was still raining and that dog was still in the back of the truck, just laying there, obediently waiting for it's master.

I don't know what business in the office complex the owner of the truck was visiting or what took so long. But you would think when he/she realized it was pouring he could have stepped out to put the dog in the truck cab. I guess the precious truck interior is more important than the animal. :mad:

Just venting and curious how others feel about dogs riding in the back of trucks.

come into the vet clinic where I worked mangled due to sudden stops or maneuvers in traffic. I have also seen a dog who was thrown out of an open rear window in a car.

This is should be a criminal offense IMO. This is horrifying for those who are traveling in cars nearby. :spank:


If you must travel with a pet in an open truck bed put the animal in a secured, study and weather proof crate of some sort.

And then again, if the cage is protected from the elements, i.e., covered on three sides.