New 4Runner not the best with dogs

[6thGen1419]

Hi, I took delivery of my 2026 4Runner limited last month. I have 2 dogs and I did have second thoughts on the back seat area. The Passport I traded in was easy for the dogs to get into. I have a golden and a lab and they can sometimes jump up on the seat and sometimes they miss and then they get freaked out and I have to lift them up. Also, it’s very high for them to jump out of and not good for their hip and legs.

I bought a ramp to go in the back and they don’t like that. I did question the back seat when we looked at it and get it will be fine. Has anyone else run into this problem?

Two older large Goldens. Long road trip last October they got the cargo area. Worked out better than expected. I got a ramp and also a step that you can put into the hitch. One of the dogs can use the step. The older dog has a bad hip and so needs the ramp. The ramp collapses to a manageable square.

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[jcash25]

Hi, I took delivery of my 2026 4Runner limited last month. I have 2 dogs and I did have second thoughts on the back seat area. The Passport I traded in was easy for the dogs to get into. I have a golden and a lab and they can sometimes jump up on the seat and sometimes they miss and then they get freaked out and I have to lift them up. Also, it’s very high for them to jump out of and not good for their hip and legs.

I bought a ramp to go in the back and they don’t like that. I did question the back seat when we looked at it and get it will be fine. Has anyone else run into this problem?

I have a 95lb German Shepherd..i dont load him through the back doors i open the rear and he jumps in he rides in the cargo area if the back seats have kids in them. If not I lower the back seats and he has the entire rear area to lay down. Dogs are trainable if the ramp doesnt work then steps will usually get them up. But honestly this sounds more like you didnt actually think about the height or rear area of the 4runner when leaving your Honda. Which sit much lower to the ground than a 4runner, that should have been your first hint your pups couldnt get in or out. I dont let my dog jump down/out of the 4runner bc its hard on his front elbows. I dont restrain/buckle him in because he just lays down in back anyway, even as a puppy he wasnt bad or needed to be restrained.

 

[OffRoadUSA.com]

I have not but have you given steps a try? Mine did not like the ramp we got at all but steps have been good

 

[Minnesota4Runner]

Just an fyi. Having your dogs jump out of the vehicle from height appears easy and most dogs are willing to do that even if they hesitate to jump in. The risk is having them injure an ACL. I have heard more than one story of a dog ripping an ACL in this manner. Just something to keep in mind. I usually let my dog jump in but I lift them out when I can.

 

[6thGen1419]

Just an fyi. Having your dogs jump out of the vehicle from height appears easy and most dogs are willing to do that even if they hesitate to jump in. The risk is having them injure an ACL. I have heard more than one story of a dog ripping an ACL in this manner. Just something to keep in mind. I usually let my dog jump in but I lift them out when I can.

Ramps are safe for dogs going up and going down. One of my 11 year old 85 lb Goldens has a bad right hip and can't jump in but can certainly go up and down a ramp without injury.

 

[thomasJ2352]

we’re looking to get a new six GEN in a couple months and I was wondering the same thing how best to bring our lab mixes along. Currently, I’ve got a frontier that they have taken ownership of the backseat, but that doesn’t mean their dog hair stays in the backseat. It seems like it’s everywhere and my wife is not at all excited about about going anywhere in it and she has made it very clear that when we get the new forerunner that they will be staying in the cargo area which makes having the back rolldown window certainly wonderful. I was concerned that maybe a ramp though would work out well but how do you carry it with you when you go somewhere whereas the steps might work out better but that seems kind of a hassle as well.

 

[6thGen1419]

we’re looking to get a new six GEN in a couple months and I was wondering the same thing how best to bring our lab mixes along. Currently, I’ve got a frontier that they have taken ownership of the backseat, but that doesn’t mean their dog hair stays in the backseat. It seems like it’s everywhere and my wife is not at all excited about about going anywhere in it and she has made it very clear that when we get the new forerunner that they will be staying in the cargo area which makes having the back rolldown window certainly wonderful. I was concerned that maybe a ramp though would work out well but how do you carry it with you when you go somewhere whereas the steps might work out better but that seems kind of a hassle as well.

The ramp I got (see earlier screenshot) folds into quarters, about the size of a fat briefcase. Cargo area (mine is smaller cause of hybrid batteries) was fine for both of our 85lb males. I kept the folded ramp on the floor behind driver or flat on the rear seat.

 

[6GenChad]

My old lab can jump in my passenger seat and that's where she goes. I only take her for night rides to the gas station for snacks

 

[Steveg203]

https://a.co/d/04HyeRLe

I have the large set and there to wide for rear door but the small set might work.

here is a screenshot of mine.

I just bought that same exact step ladder. I guess I c

 

[Steveg203]

Thanks for all the replies. I should have gone with my gut feeling and went with the Passport. I have a backpack I take to work that has my laptop and that doesn’t even fit behind my backseat. It fits behind the seat in my VW R And that’s a small car. I really like the 4 Runner it has all the bells and whistles and drives nice. I drove the Passport for 6 years and I really miss how simple the Honda was.

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