Cody,
I am going to do a few things different with this truck. The dog area will be convertible. Pretty much a flip up, super short tonneau cover. Picture a bed, with a chain up front, and 3 dog clips. The area the dogs will occupy is going to be covered, and hinged at the front of the bed. If I happen to need the entire 8' bed, I can flip the cover up, and use the entire bed.
That is what is running through my head at this time, subject to change at any time