I've been considering getting a dog lately and I was wondering if anybody has had experience and/or luck with their dog in their RX-8. I've had mine for 5 months now and I'm already aware of how easily the interior bits get scratched, so my only idea so far is to lay the passenger seat completely flat and then put towels over the seats and center console. Any ideas or tips?

And in case anyone's wondering, I'm at 11,000 smile-filled miles. No problems, no regrets! My only worry is the mileage I'm putting on this car, but I can't keep myself away from the driver's seat!

 

I have not put my doggie in the car yet. He's gone nearly 10 months without a ride in my car and he and the car are just fine. When I do take him places, it's in my g/f's SUV.

 

Our Yorkie loves my car because he can rest his head on the center console while sitting on the passanger seat

 

Well, I have the black cloth interior and a yellow lab (read: major shedding). I'd recommend getting a blanket to put over the seat to try an absorb as much hair as possible. I've only had my lab in the 8, maybe a dozen times. He did make a couple of scratches in the silver plastic on the center console, but that is probably my fault for not clipping his claws enough. Again, the blanket should protect the console too.

My mom sent me this thing called a "pet hammock" for use in cars. Instead of hanging it up, I use the ties to secure it to the carseat points. If we go anywhere with the dog we usually use the VW Bug since it's a hatchback.

 

I have a fat, shedding sheltie that I occasionally take on short trips. I also have cloth, but it's not a big deal.

 

There is no way in heck any dog would be sitting their azz in my car, but hey my opinion.

 

No way this beast of burden is riding with me.

 

I leave my dog in the trunk. Good thing I have a small dog. Sharp turns are accompanied by a loud "thud". Just make sure your dog and trunk monkey get along.

Seriously, I don't bring my dog in the 8 because sharp nails + easily scratched interior =

 

I have two Heelers who love to take car rides. They're both about 45lbs each and fit easily in the back seats. I placed a blanket over the seats and the center console to protect the leather and catch dog hairs. They just curl up in the seat and rest their noses on the console and enjoy the ride.

 

dirtylil'paws....your guy and my guy would have a good time together....too bad we can't get them and the 8's to a park or something. :p

 

There is no freakin' way I would put either of my super-shed Siberian huskies in my 8.

One of them escaped out of the house and was roaming the neighborhood when I got home the other day. In an attempt to catch him I opened the passenger door and asked him if he wanted to go for a ride. The whole time I was terrified that he would actually take me up on the offer. Thank God, he didn't.

 

I have an Akita and a Doberman and neither one of them are allowed in my car. Any time we take them somewhere we take the wife's car...

 

I love my Lab, but he gets no ride in the 8 either.
I have another car for him.

 

Both of my Labs have riden in my 8. No issues at all except the hair.

 

Hi RotorGeek...we have a yorkie as well...titanium Grey 8..just got it 2 weeks ago..Boynton Beach FL...looking for a small pillow to go just aft of the shift for him...LOL

 

My two miniature dachshunds ride in the back seats of my 8. They will either curl up and sleep or rest their head on the center console and sleep. They do leave a lot of hair on long curvy trips though. I had my car detailed and I have now decided to keep them in the portable kennel that we bought for them when they are riding in the car. Besides, the youngest, biggest of the two would always try to get in my lap when we got in traffic and it doesn't work out when you have to shift, watch trafic, keep in the lane, and also keep him from standing and looking over the steering wheel or window, or trying to get down by my feet. I love them and think that they are soo cute and funny but they aren't very considerate of the driver sometimes.

 

After reading the other posts, I don't feel so bad.
I have a cocker spaniel and a mutt and neither one has been permitted on the the leather in my '95 Explorer 'yet' much less on my red/black leather in the 8. That makes my wife's car the pet-mobile. She taxis the dogs to the groomer, vet, etc.

 

Dogs riding in cars should be confined in a pet carrier, or wear a special seat-belt harness; they should never be left loose in the car. If you have to make a panic stop (or you collide with someone who turns left in front of you), the unrestrained dog becomes an unwitting projectile that will shoot off the seat and into the dash and/or windshield. If you are severely rear-ended, your back window will shatter (trust me) and the dog will be showered with glass and will then escape in panic out the window onto the street.

When I was rear-ended in my 8, I was transporting a 30 lb. dog in a pet carrier in the back seat. He and I both survived this.

 

My Great Dane rides nicely in the back she sit comfortably and really seems to enjoy it. she rides in it every other month or so. no problems at all she has no problem climbing in and out with the rear doors. previosly we had a dodge dakota 2 door xtra cab, it was more of a challenge to get he in the back without a rear door.

 

At the risk of getting my A$$ flamed all over the place, maybe those stupid-a$$ bootie things the old ladies put on their dogs feet would be appropriate for 8 owners with dogs and no alternate vehicle. Help, can't believe I said that. Taking care of an 8 can involve saying strange/stupid things... Those pet feet tormenters are sooooo lame... Okay, be nice everyone...it's just a thought...

 

The number 1 reason that I bought the RX8 rather than the 2 seaters that I was considering is my dog. My dog (see avatar) goes everywhere with me. She is 48 pounds and has claws like a lion. I bought black, twin size bed sheets that I fit to the right rear seat to keep it clean.

I don't know why everyone thinks that the interior is so fragile. She stands on the console to put her head out the sunroof and has never scratched anything in the car. When we are moving she is strapped in with her safety harness.

Funny, the first few times that we took her in the car, she couldn't figure out the freestyle doors. She tried crawling under the car for some reason. After a few minutes, she is curled up sound asleep until we get where we are going.

BTW, 50lbs is probably the biggest dog that will fit in the back seat due to the contours.

 

no my 125lbs. Great dane sits nicely, though she can not curl up and sleep, but the longest we have ever driven with her in the car is about 15 minutes. and yes I do have nose marks on my back windows, but they clean off easy enough as does the rest of the interior.

 

My dog, a 35-40 pound cattle dog mix, behaves better in the car than anywhere else. She's constantly chewing up the furniture, digging up shruberry, etc. But when she gets in the car she just sits there calmly and enjoys the ride.

 

I love my dogs, black lab and boxer-mix, but they must keep their slobbery mouths, pointy nails and oft shedding hair away from my car. When I had the Montero Sport they were free to ride at their leisure (in the cargo area), now they have been relagated to the Wife's van when they want to go for a spin, poor dogs, nice RX-8.

 

Proud owner of three Affenpinschers and one Yorkie (who thinks she is human). They have all been in the car, and all together once as well. I just can't convince myself to drive the stupid SUV anymore!!! In any case folks - READ what Aratinga said, and please, please, restrain your dogs - car harnesses arre great, a regular harness works well too - just run the seatbelt through it. It gives the dog some freedom but prevents them from becoming projectiles that can KILL YOU in a crash - not to mention what it can do to them. My dogs wear a seat belt more often than I do.
For nails, dust, rain, etc I bought a black bath towel (extra large.) iIt fits nicely over the seat bottom and back - and keeps little nails from scratching leather.