Transporting Dogs Safely: Finding The Perfect SUV
Crate Size and Cargo Space, Choosing the Right Vehicle For Me and My Dog’s Needs.
Let me set the stage: this post isn’t meant to flex. That said, I do take tremendous pride in the fact that I got exactly what I wanted (after logging hours of research) and that I’m in a position to do it. But more than that, this ties back to my two missions:
To help as many people and dogs as possible create strong, lasting bonds.
To inspire anyone who's afraid to take the leap— personally or professionally. If I can jump, so can you. Everything will be okay. You will be okay.
So, with that lens in mind, let’s talk about the vehicle.
Transporting a high-drive dog like Arya isn’t as simple as tossing a crate in the backseat. It’s about safety, space, and sanity—and for a while, I didn’t have all three. I’ve always believed that when you travel with your dog, they deserve the safest conditions and the lowest possible risk for injury.
My current vehicle is a truck. And for a while, it worked just fine. But life evolves, and so do priorities. Arya’s safety started weighing more heavily on me. And right now? I don’t have a crate in the truck. She rides on the floorboard of the passenger seat, and she’s been surprisingly calm—so calm, I’ve literally forgotten she was there. Multiple times.
Which sounds like a good problem… but not if you know Arya.
If you’ve seen how energetic she gets—how high she jumps when amped up—you can imagine how distracting (and dangerous) it could be in an open car. Especially as she grows, learns to jump into the seats, and starts reacting to the world around her. I’ve already seen this with her leaping onto my bed like it’s nothing. That same athleticism inside a moving vehicle? A recipe for disaster.
With Ace and Ava, it was a little different. Ava would curl up in the space between the seats. She’d only pop up to look out the door like we trained her to. Ace, on the other hand, loved the backseat—but he shed like a maniac. I could’ve made a whole new dog out of the fur he left behind.
But the truth is—even if they behaved—they weren’t safe.
Thinking objectively, I don’t use the truck bed all that much. And even though I love the height, the power, and the cabin space, I had to admit: it wasn’t working. Putting a crate in the backseat killed my ability to nap on long drives. And putting it in the truck bed? Not a chance. The open exposure, the risk of wind, flying debris, or eye injuries—it’s out of the question.
And before you suggest it: no, a seatbelt harness alone doesn’t satisfy the overprotective parent thing I got going on.
So What Did I Need?
An SUV. Plain and simple.
I needed room for a crash-tested crate.
I still wanted usable backseat space.
I needed enough room for my golf clubs and anything else my lifestyle demands.
And I wanted it to feel premium, comfortable, and capable.
The Infamous Question: Which SUV?
That set me on the research path: dozens of vehicles, hours of crate dimension comparisons, crash safety ratings, cargo space specs. I already knew the two crate companies I was considering—Variocage and Impact Crate. (Gunner was another option, but not a serious contender for various reasons.) By knowing the crate companies, I could look up their sizes and work my way backward.
Working that way, let’s start where everyone starts when looking for a new vehicle: what you like, what catches your eye, or what you’ve seen on the road. So I already had a shortlist of models. But before digging in, I want to be transparent: I Googled “Best SUVs for Dogs and Dog Owners” and “Best SUVs for Large Dog Crates.” Thing is, I didn’t really like any of the suggestions. They felt a little out of touch—like whoever put the list together didn’t actually have a dog. So I went back to my own devices.
I should add that when I explained my rationale to friends and family, they all understood—and surprisingly, agreed. Anytime you mention you’re car shopping, everyone and their mother has an opinion.
My Top Contenders:
BMW X3 M40i
Audi Q7, Q8, SQ8
Ford Explorer
Volvo XC90
Land Rover Defender 110
Lexus GX 550
What was I looking for in these choices? Obviously: space, style, speed, reliability, and something with some shwing.
With “shwing” in mind, the Volvo and Ford Explorer were out. The Land Rover was way too rich for my blood. The Lexus had style, plenty of space, and a solid track record for reliability—but it just wasn’t getting my juices flowing.
That left me seriously considering the Audi and the BMW.
Both were a complete level-up for me and the business. But hey—what can I do? Arya is a prima donna.
BMW
First, I test-drove the X3 M40i. I only learned about the M40i because my colleagues are gearheads and know more about cars than I do. They mentioned the M40i for the “zip,” since I’m single and, in their words, should have something with some power under me. I entertained the idea—and started liking it. Plus, it fit the budget.
I did the test drive—not of the 40i (they didn’t have any on the lot), but of the 50i, which is the newest model. The fit was going to be tight. I have broader shoulders than your average person, and the seats were…snug, to say the least. And the trunk space—the whole reason for this exertion—was borderline.
Naturally, I went in with high hopes. Honestly, I can say I was favoring BMW from the moment I decided to switch vehicles.
After talking to the salesman—who, credit where credit’s due, was patient and really understood what I needed—he tried his best to find me an X3 that would work for my needs. But no dice. He could see I was torn between space and my friends hounding me about speed. So he broke it down for me and suggested I look at the X5.
At first, the X5 wasn’t my top choice for some reason. But after measuring the trunk, my mind was at ease. Anyone who’s been car shopping understands how exhausting and overwhelming it can be. The search continued.
Audi
I was looking at Audi because a few people I know have (or had) one. I figured the Q5 would be too small. The Q3 wasn’t even a consideration. That left the Q7 and Q8. Of course, friends kept telling me to look at the SQ7 or SQ8.
It’s always easy for someone to tell you to buy a $95,000 SUV—until they’re the ones signing the pink slip.
I went into the test drive of the Q7 with an open mind. I’ve always liked Audi—I thought they were cool. Hell, even Iron Man drives an Audi. But for whatever reason, the car didn’t do much for me. Sure, it had some neat features, but I wasn’t wowed. It was more like, “Eh, it’s nice,” and that was it.
And for the money they’re asking, I’d hope the car would stir up more emotion than that.
This is where the Audi salesman dropped the ball. When I asked him for a tape measure to measure the trunk, he never thought to ask why. If he had, I would have told him I’m a dog trainer and need to fit a dog crate—and still have room for other things. With that knowledge, he could have steered the conversation somewhere more productive. But he didn’t.
In fact, I know I look like a scumbag sometimes, but they treated me like I wasn’t serious—or wasn’t worth helping. I was turned off.
The next day, my friend showed me his RSQ7—the sportiest version of that SUV. When he turned it on and I heard it purr, it was amazing. But looking at the trunk, I knew it wouldn’t work. Again, there’s a real estate component to all this.
Famous last word: Next.
BMW X5 xDrive40i
Back to BMW we go—this time with a clearer vision. After diving deeper into research and talking with a few current X5 owners, it became obvious this model might strike the perfect balance: enough space for Arya’s crate and lifestyle gear, while still delivering a little punch behind the wheel.
With help from a salesman who genuinely took time to understand my needs, we landed on the X5 xDrive40i. It had more zip than the standard version, but without crossing into the land of "I’m towing yachts on the weekends" like the 60i. And while the M Competition was tempting, it didn’t align with what I was actually using the car for.
What surprised me the most was how connected I felt during the test drive. From the outside, the X5 looks substantial—but behind the wheel, it felt intimate, dialed in, even agile. Not oversized or boaty. For someone carrying around a lot of mental weight and physical equipment, that feeling of control mattered.
Choosing this vehicle wasn’t just about aesthetics or performance—it was about responsibility. As a dog trainer, I’m not just commuting. I’m transporting a high-drive, powerful dog who depends on me for her safety, comfort, and structure. Every decision, from crate size to cargo space, became a symbol of a bigger idea: doing right by her.
But beyond the logistics, there’s something else. This SUV represented a turning point in how seriously I take what I do—not just with Arya, but with the business, my future, and the life I’m building. It’s more than just a car. It’s a commitment to the life I’ve chosen, and to do it fully, this has motivated me more than ever at the same time—without cutting corners.
Final Thought:
This SUV isn’t just for show. It’s not about the badge on the front—it’s about everything that went into the decision behind it. From countless hours of research to testing every option that could give Arya the safest, most stable ride. It’s about honoring the bond I have with her—and with myself.
So yeah, I’m proud. Not just of the X5, but of what it stands for. Taking responsibility. Investing in something that matters. Doing things the right way, even if it takes a little longer or costs a little more.
Like I said at the start—this isn’t a flex. It’s a message. If you’ve been thinking about making a leap, maybe this is your sign.
Because when you build a life around purpose, everything—even the car you drive—starts to reflect it.
If you have questions about traveling safely with your dog, or want to share your own experience picking the right vehicle, drop me a comment below.
