Cooling mats ... do they really work? and what else do I need?

[MunchingonHay]

I was reading the rules last night and tying a dog out is not allowed at Keystone DockDog events.

I have heavy duty cargo mats in the Pruis and a water resistant car seat protector. She goes from our practice pool to in the car and does not drip too badly, BUT I do hear you and that is a valid point and a concern about the canvas crate. I don’t want to use it due to the limited air flow, but if I have to strap the fan to it

There will be a group of us. About 4/5 dogs and 10 people plus our coach. Most of whom she knows from our other dog school classes.

The aluminet shade cloth arrived yesterday and it fits the Pruis with room to grow. The sides hang down past the windows by a foot on each side and from grill, over the top including the open hatch.

Test run is tomorrow and I will post pictures.

[Bicoastal]

@trubandloki

the ties would have to be very short

They are short. It’s not a 10’ tie-out a pet person might use to let their dog hang out in an unfenced yard. It’s a short, stiff, coated cable with a snap on each end. Again, just a cultural difference.

@MunchingonHay

The aluminet shade cloth arrived yesterday and it fits the Pruis with room to grow. The sides hang down past the windows by a foot on each side and from grill, over the top including the open hatch

Perfect!!

[MunchingonHay]

Here are the pictures from the trial run at home. Saturday we are headed to WestWind DockDogs just outside of Gettysburg for practice and I am taking my foster pup, Bacardi as well so this complicates things just a bit regarding crates. (she dives really well and loves the water so hopefully she will find a family at WestWind )

The hatch does not fit under the tent (this is my smaller of two tents)

This is Bacardi, my foster pup in the too small crate. She barely fits. But will have to do, since my bigger wire crate does not fit in the Pruis

This is Lilly crammed into the small crate
Lilly is 70lbs, Bacardi is 50lbs.

The bigger crate does not fit, I tried both left and right as front to back.

What does fit is the canvas crate and the small little crate. Everything fits broken down without having to lay the seats down for the drive and then I can lay them down.

The shade cloth is nice and I was able to put it on and off by myself no problem… the biggest issue is the lack of metal The quarter panel in the back, hatch, and other bits are plastic.

[S1969]

That should work just fine. A couple things worth buying for next time –

Some strong clips to clip the shade cloth to the EZ up in case the sun comes from the other direction
Some other tarps to do the same and especially for rainy or windy weather - you can create a wind block
A plastic straw mat to put on the ground to just increase everyone’s comfort, but especially if the grass is poky or wet.

I’ve never tried working out of a vehicle that size, so I would say do your best with the crates for now. They’ll be fine.

[Aussie_2020]

I was told to get the shade cloth like the nurseries have rather than the aluminum type. Supposedly it allows for better air flow and doesn’t damage the paint. I don’t have either so I’m just passing along what I heard.

For awhile I had a Clam but it was too heavy. It was nice with the screen all around though, kept out bugs.

Your set up looks good. Bummer about the wire kennel being small. The dogs do look scrunched.