Cargo Leash Tutorial

We bought a brand new 2015 Forester Subaru this week, with the purpose of spending more time outdoors with our dogs (a lot easier to do with an SUV than our Mazda6!)

My goal was to find the right crossover that would have enough cargo area so that our two dogs (60lbs and 90lbs) could easily be in the cargo area and NOT on our passenger seats! We ended up with the Forester and were very pleased with how roomy it is for them. There's a rubberized cargo liner on the floor and I laid a towel so that the top of the seats don't get slobbery--it is still a new car, after all!

The last issue was to make sure that our dogs are safely secured in the rear cargo area so that they wouldn't be able to jump over the seats and they wouldn't be able jump out when we opened the hatch. That way we are able to easily attach their leashes and can supervise the dogs at all times.

Like most new SUVs, our cargo area has 4 loops built in for securing items for tie down.

At first my idea was to use just the hooks closest to the seat, but it was too easy for Zoey to jump over the seat. When I used the hook by the hatch, she was able to jump out (still attached) and was at risk for strangling herself! So, I decided to use both to create a custom leash that solves both issues! Best of all, it costs less than $20 and only requires a quick trip to Lowes!

To make your own custom cargo leash, you just need the following items:

• 2 Chain Quick Links - 3/16" ($1.97 at Lowes)
• 1 Chain Bolt Snap - 5/8" ($1.58)
• ~12' of 1/4" braided polypropylene rope (I used this, which was $12 for 100 feet, but I can use the extra rope for camping!)

Immediately fasten the quick links to the tie down loops in the cargo area. You'll be tying the rope through these so that you can quickly and easily remove the cargo leash if you need to without having to undo the knots.

First, practice making a figure eight knot. It's a simple knot to learn, and it's very strong--climbers use it all the time.

Starting with a generous 12 inches or so from one of the ends (the "working end"), make a loose figure eight knot. Feed the working end through the quick link in the cargo area that is closest to the back seat, and loop the rope back towards the knot. Then, feed the working end back through the knot, exactly backwards. This will feel counter-intuitive, like you're undoing the knot, but because it's looped around a fixed object it will actually make the knot stronger.

Make sure the knot is tight, and that each of the curves are lined up smoothly. Then, tie a regular knot (a half hitch) to the extra so that it doesn't fray. (If you have excess rope, that's okay-- cut it off at the end when you know all the lengths are correct.) 

Next, you will use the same knot to secure the clip that fastens to your dog's collar. To measure where it needs to be so that your dog cannot jump out the back until you unclip her, stretch out the rope to the point where it almost reaches the bumper.

Create another figure eight knot, slide the rope through the hole on the clip, and then feed the working end of the rope back through the knot. Pull tight and check that the curves are neat and lined up correctly. (Now is a good time to test out your leash to make sure that your dog cannot jump out of the cargo area, and make any adjustments for length as needed.)

Finally, you will want to see how much rope is needed so that your dog can comfortably stand and look over the back seat but cannot jump forward.

At the end of the working end, create a figure eight knot, looping it through your quick link and feeding it back through the knot again. Test it out, making adjustments as necessary, and then tie a regular half hitch knot at the end to prevent fraying.

I promise: Zoey LOVES car rides more than posing for me. She's already figured out that she can't jump out if she's attached.

Our dogs were able to comfortably sit and lay down in the cargo area during their inaugural trip to the dog park. Tyson loved resting his head on top of the seats in front of him and enjoyed the breeze! When we got to the dog park and opened the rear hatch, both of them lunged to jump out (which would have been a problem trying to get them back!) but the rope and clips held them securely until we were ready for them!

What are your ideas for traveling with large dogs?