I have a question for you cold weather buffs.

I'm traveling up north with two dogs in the back of my pickup truck. I have a Leer top for the pickup bed and it seals fairly tight ( there's no communication between the rear seat of my truck and the area of the Leer top ).
The dogs are in aluminum crates with rubber mats in the bottom of the crates.

My question is - will the dogs be fine in the sealed Leer top overnight in a freezing environment?


Thanks!
Will

I use straw for my lab for truck transport in her dog box for before and after hunting. I find it to be a much better insulator, the dogs can destroy or eat it with no problems, and the cleanup is fairly simple. I also use it for dog house bedding.

Insides of a truck even with a canopy can get pretty dang cold depending on the neck of the woods you're heading to.

Are your dogs used to being outside overnight in colder temps?
Call me a dog sympathizer , but it seems like it might be too cold, especially in a metal crate.
I guess it depends on where you are going.?
I was in MN for the holidays and it was below zero for some of the nights. I would think that they would need some kind of bedding on top of the rubber mats, and then some insulating material beneath that, like the hay or straw. Just my 2 cents.

I would go with straw bedding and perhaps throw a blanket over the crates to keep the heat in a bit. GSD have a nice double coat and should be fine in cold temps as long as they are sheltered and have warm bedding.

They have no cold-conditioning at all, right? (Mine have none where I live either.)

When we go to Tahoe (freezing or lower, but nowhere near zero), I put folded LB fleece mats in the crates and a couple of blankets inside as well as one draped over.

I agree with the straw bedding, but a GSD should be fine, maybe not comfy, but fine.

When I went to Alaska, I was shocked at how many people keep their dogs outside. My cousin has a Blue Heeler, and he fattens him up pretty well before winter and made a dog house out of wooden crate, then insulated it with foam and such. His dog has been living in that for 3 winters now. The rest of the time, he sleeps on the grass.

Hi Will:

They say its the wind that really makes the dogs too cold so with that in mind, I would do as has been recommended and cover the crates with a good heavy blanket. A great choice would be those heavy green wool army blankets, they work great.

Lining the bottom of the crate with layers of warmth will keep them comfortable. First layer would be an emergency heat blanket ( you can purchase these at any outdoor store ie gander mtn etc.). They are thin and silver in color. Second layer, straw or hay. Third layer, if its real cold, a down alternative comforter. You can purchase these at Walmart for less then 20 dollars and they work great. Nice and thin but very very warm. If you are traveling with more then one dog, you can even buy a bigger size ( king size same price as twin) and cut it in half, sew or superglue the open ends and they can share.

Hope this helps and Happy Travels to you!

Lois

 Quote: Will Rambeau

The dogs are in aluminum crates with rubber mats in the bottom of the crates.

My question is - will the dogs be fine in the sealed Leer top overnight in a freezing environment?

The dogs are fine I say up to -5c anything lower especially with wind the uncomfort zone increases greatly for the dog. -12c or lower you have reason to be concerned and should take some steps for safety with that setup you describe.

Aluminum Will is a poor poor insulator and depending on how cold it is would be like putting the dogs in a fridge. The Leer cap doesn't offer any protection from the cold either, just the wind and doesn't stop the box interior from gettign to outside temp and consequently the crates get chilled just as much because of the steel of the box.

Pros you have the Rubber mat that's great at least if it gets extremely cold the dogs pads won't burn on any metal or plastic surface.

What I'd do in a pinch is get some Straw and line the inside of both crates. Enough so the dogs can curl up in. The other thing is I'd use a Comforter or an old Sleeping bag and drape it over the crates leaving a opening between the crates where they are butted up to each other so the dogs can share each others heat. Tie the comforter down with rope or tie straps so it doesn't flap around and just leave the door open and that would help a lot.

http://www.msc.ec.gc.ca/education/windchill/WindChill_Calculator_e.cfm

Here is a windchill calculator remember when you are driving you are creating windchill over the surface of the cap and box and that will reflect on the comfort level for the animals.

Fetz and Frannie only deserve the best Will

http://www.dogfriendlyhotels.org

These Cabelas crate covers are GREAT!!! These are what I use in the back of my pick up.

I use them along with straw or a blanket on the inside. As Geoff said, a plastic mat or a piece of carpet on the floor of the kennel to keep feet protected from the cold is a good idea as well.

Happy and Safe Travels to you Will.