Have you ever thought about what would happen if you and your dog were in a serious automobile accident? What if your injuries were serious enough that you are incapacitated and can’t do anything to help your pet?
The most well trained dog in the world might go running when the car door flies open or the window shatters at the time of impact. The dog is scared. The dog is out of his or her element. You may be incapacitated, so the dog is now surrounded by strangers who look really weird in their emergency response gear. It is a recipe for disaster. If the dog doesn’t flee, he or she may bite anyone that tries to lend a hand. Not only does an accident throw a wrench in our human gears; it can be even more stressful to an animal that has no concept of what is going on.
Relax, there are ways you can protect your puppy and provide yourself with some peace of mind. Visit your local pet stores or shop online to check out the latest in puppy car restraints.
A word of caution is needed when shopping for canine car restraints. This is not the time to pinch a penny. If you want the best for your canine family member, choose restraints that are proven to work even if they cost more. You definitely get what you pay for when it comes to buying doggie car restraints. A dollar spent on a good car restraint can save hundreds of dollars in vet bills should the dog be injured in an automobile accident.
There are a number of types of car restraints for dogs of all ages. You may have to purchase one for your puppy and replace it as the dog grows in size.
Canine seat belts work in tandem with your car or truck’s existing seat belts or round bar, which is used to safely install children’s car seats. You should always place the restrained dog in the back seat because front seat air bags that deploy can seriously injure or even kill a dog.
In general, a dog seat belt is made of adjustable straps that fit around your dog like a harness with a clip at the end of the attached strap that clicks into the vehicle’s seat belt holder.
One of the cheapest car restraints for dogs is the control strap. The device is a strap that has a loop at one end that you put your vehicle seat belt through before clicking it shut. The device also has a snap on the other end that hooks to a dog’s harness.
More sophisticated control straps that have a rectangular clip on one end that fits into any standard seat belt holder are also available.
A “Dog Buckle” is a strap device that attaches to your dog’s harness and clicks onto the round bar of your car.
Car seat belts for dogs have become very popular in recent years. In fact, some auto manufacturers now offer them as an option.
The pet seat belt is comprised of a harness that is secured around the dog’s rib cage. There is a spot at the rear of the dog’s harness (on the dog’s back) that is attached to an over-the-shoulder car seat belt. Dog seat belts are ideal to secure medium and large dogs in any size car, SUV or truck.
Car seat belts for dogs usually range in price from $15 to $75 at pet stores. Buy the best you can find. This is not the time to shop for bargains.
Dog belts are made to withstand a lot of impact pressure. Many belts can withstand up to 9,000 pounds, which is about 4,000 pounds more than is required for human seat belts. Wide straps are the best because they are much more comfortable for the dog to wear and they distribute impact pressure more efficiently. Belts that have wide straps are said to lessen the chance of your dog being injured in a collision.
Fit is important. If a seat belt is too loose, the dog can slip out of it. If it is too tight, the belt can cause sore spots and the dog will not want to wear it.
Read the specifications that come with doggie seat belts. Cheap buckles that cannot bear the load pressure during a crash will most likely give out and the results won’t be much better than a dog that is wearing nothing at all. Again, you get what you pay for!
Canine seat belts may be too confining for small dogs that cannot see out of the car window without standing on their hind legs or sitting on a seatback. You may want to consider a doggie car seat for the smaller adults and puppies.
Dog car seats, which range in price from about $45 to $150, are essentially a bed affixed to a captain-style seat with straps. Some basic models are nothing more than a canvas box seat structure. More deluxe models may be lined with sheep skin or fleece to provide more comfort.
Unfortunately, dog car seats are not the best restraint available, but they do offer some limited protection.
One drawback of a doggie car seat is that it is best used in vehicles with bucket seats because most are secured with straps that wrap around the seat back.
Dogs that struggle when placed in a seat belt might benefit from the dog zip line and harness restraint system. The zip line is secured across the car’s back seat or rear cargo area. The dog wears a harness that connects to the zip line by a short tether that allows for limited movement while restraining the pet.
Another good option for transporting your pet in a car is the travel crate, which costs $20 to $90. The crates are usually made from a heavy gauge of metal wire or high-density polymer plastic.
The downfall of travel crates is that most do not come with a mechanism that allows them to be secured to a car seat. You can try running the car’s seat belt through the crate’s carrying handle. However, the handle could break at the time of impact.
Your dog’s personality and temperament will play a role in the type of restraint that works best for your situation. Some type of car restraint is better than none at all.
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