Dog in the truck hot days

So how do I deal with hot days and. a dog and having to run into the store? My dog is my best friend, and I avoid stopping when I have her in the truck, but sometimes you gotta do an errand on the way home from fetch, hikes, archery, etc. With my tacoma, I had to take the key out of the fob and physically lock the truck. Is it the same with the tundra now, not a big deal, just annoying as I have the fob in a case which I realized is going to be a pain in the arse if I ever need to get i tout.

Tried cancel the auto shutoff, but it wouldn't let me lock the truck when it was running. Shut the truck off, used the app to start it up, that worked for about 10 mins, which seems to be all the run time you get with the auto starts these days. Can this be extended?

Any tips here, didn't find anything in the search function.

 

Oh and dingo pics for bonus points. She has been banished to the back seat in the new truck. I set up the entire couch for her, which I should add she is not happy with and lets me know her displeasure with the heeler sonic bark. She does like the ability though to hop up and look out the back window though when I roll it down. that coupled with the sunroof open, she gets quite the air flow back there.

 

Nice dog! I get around in the morning during the summer with my dog and have a louvered headache rack so the back window can be open with side windows partially open when parked for a few minutes here and there. That said, most places here are either pet friendly or have a drive up window.

 

Good looking heeler! Obviously not overheated yet, they turn red when they're too hot.
Can’t offer help on the 3rd gen, my old 2nd gen with aftermarket remote start will let me idle 15 min and the fob locks the door.

Hopefully some 3rd genner’s have ideas for you.

 

must be nice, Canadian tire use to be that way, they have no stopped allowing dogs into the store. Can't remember why though, think there was a dog fight or something. .

 

I have a workaround for it, I think:

1. Put truck in Park
2. Open the driver's window.
3. Get out, close the door.
4. Hold the fob in your hand to MAKE SURE you are not leaving it in a truck.
5. Reach through the window and press the lock button on the driver's door.
6. Once the truck is locked, use window auto-up (one-touch up) to close the driver's window.
7. Now, the truck is locked and running. To open, you will need to use a PHYSICAL KEY (for some reason, buttons on a fob are not working).

It's not great and way more complicated than it should be (Toyota - just let me leave my car running...), but it works - I've been doing it for the last few months. Using physical key is inconvenient but at least I can leave truck locked and running.

 

A bit pricey, but they have mini all in one battery powered AC’s that would be plenty to keep the cab cool.

 

When we had our dog we left all the windows half way down, parked in the shade and my never left her alone in the truck any longer than we would want to be. More often than not the shade wasn't available so one of us stayed with her with the AC on and windows down.

 

Electronics fail; especially when dealing w/things that are app and 'situationally' driven... IE>>> I pushed this twice, hit the horn, activated the wipers and pumped the brakes twice so I should be good, right??? It's too much... there's way too much room for errors to happen (electronically or otherwise). The other downfall to this is that if the system does fail, it's probably gonna happen w/the windows up and the rest of the car sealed tight (to keep the cold AC that had been running in). Depending on outside temp, direct sunlight exposure, etc... You could come out to something catastrophic if a failure does occur.

My here is my advice (opinion)...

1: If the conditions permit, you're better off in the shade, windows partially down and hopefully good air movement... If the current conditions don't keep the car cool enough, then don't stop; even if you only intend on being gone for a couple of minutes. Shit happens and you can't predict when or where it will occur.

2: Check w/your local LE guys that have dogs and find out what kind of systems they are running and who did the install. Most departments are running a bypass switch to allow the vehicle to run while you're out and keys are out of the car; most vehicles are equipped w/temp/loss of power sensors that will page you or honk the horn repeatedly if the AC fails or the engine stops running; most have auto drop features on the windows if the alert goes off to help w/circulation (which now you have to deal w/containment of the dog); most have fans that operate when the windows come down (fans are designed to blow the hot air out not to draw air into the truck)....

Also, it's important to note that the dog's acclimation to hot weather and other conditions, its physical condition, etc. play a huge role in its survival if things go bad. A non-working dog that is out of shape and used to a climate control environment will not survive as long as a working dog that regularly lives in, deploys in, or resides in high temp environments... just like its human counterparts

It's important to note that even w/all these failsafes and back up systems in place, departments lose dogs each year to heat related incidents involving them being stuck in a hot vehicle when the systems failed and the handler couldn't get to them in time.

 

I don't think leaving the truck running is the best answer unless the dog is restrained from being able to operate driver's window switch panel or you just remove the window fuse which isn't a great idea either for many reasons.

 

Appreciate all the opinions/etc with dog care. I promise my dog is better cared for then most children. I am looking for a way to run the truck for a quick stop on a hot day from time to time as they do arise. Normally I just bring her home, everything else is irrelevant to the question.

@ArcticFox , thanks sounds similar to the subaru approach. Although I was not aware I could put the windows up with the doors locked. Interesting.

 

Sadly, I live in an area with very high crime not an option to leave windows open

 

My dog is always kenneled in a car but in the summer we just don’t stop. Unless maybe the crate is in the open bed and it’s reasonable out. Sorry I know that’s no help. Fall and winter are the best, don’t have to worry about a thing.

 

That is where a louvered or grated headache rack comes in handy. Just like security bars over a window at home or business. As a bonus, the rear window is protected from accidental breakage from cargo or loading of cargo. On top of that, depending on construction you can have added lighting and some rollover protection as well. I also have dark tinted in channel rain and sun visors/guards on my door windows which means I can crack windows without being easily noticed or fingers reaching inside. There are ways to have fresh air and security at the same time.

 

For my ‘21 I had a key cut for the door. That was I can just manually lock the door with it running. Key lives in the little sunglasses holder above the rear view mirror.

I usually just leave the truck running and unlocked with dogs inside. Even a small pup is gonna make a would be intruder rethink their choice.

 

What I do is park shut off, lock the doors, and use the app to remote start. I always look through the window to make sure I see the fan/AC is on. In Texas I don't play with the heat and my dog!

 

^^^^^this

I don’t know if it will work w smart key (push button start/stop) though. I’ve also seen them fail a couple times.
Put a little harness on your pup and tell everyone it’s a service dog, bring it with you

 

I see more and more dog friendly businesses. Maybe time to reward them for their consideration.

When our Lab Roxie was still alive my wife broke her femur and Roxie didn't understand what was going on. I asked the hospital staff if my wife could be wheelchaired to the hospital main entrance to see Roxie. They said "Bring Roxie up to the room. If she makes a mess, don't worry. We'll clean it up."

 

That's incredible, caring, and compassionate service!!!! Top notch!!!!

 

South Baldwin Medical Center, Foley AL.
@Bakershack can attest to the kindness, honesty and compassion of the good folks of L.A.

 

I use a club steering wheel lock. If I’m running inside a store for a min. Good luck driving off with the horrible turning radius.

Also have the beeping alert unplugged under the drivers side headlight. Super annoying with it on

 

The question was answered by a few members and I have tested it to make sure it works. Both do so thank you to them.