[blkgtr]

Most people understand the importance of wearing our seat belts, and just about every state requires you bulk up when driving. AAA is reporting that driving with pets is a dangerous distraction if they are unrestrained. Recent data supports the fact that having an unrestrained pet in the car can be as dangerous as texting or talking on the phone while driving.

I encourage all to read more about this issue for you and your pets safety. There is a great write up and story about this from CBS news along with a video. Driving with Pets: Dangerous Distraction - The Early Show - CBS News

 

[Peeps85]

I have a car harnesses for both of my dogs. We were in a car accident last year, it was snowing really bad out and the car coming through the intersection couldn't stop. If they wouldn't have been wearing their harnesses they both would have been thrown out of the window.

 

[Plushie]

Good advice...I can only imagine how scary it is to have an accident while a pet is loose in the car, or the pet averting the driver's attention, etc.

We don't own a harness or buckle or anything, but whenever we drive our dog somewhere, there's always at least two people, one to keep the dog under control and the other to drive.

 

[N2Th3Stars]

I don't own any seat belt device for my dog right now, however I have been thinking about getting one. He is well mannered in the vehicle (as is my cat actually) without being in a crate or anything, but I think it would be a good idea to have him buckled in just in case there was an accident.

Now I am wondering, what type of restraint does everyone here use? What do you like and dislike about it?

 

[Peeps85]

I use the safety harness with leash seat belt adapter I used it on my dogs for a 1800 mile drive from Wisconsin to Arizona! The only problem I really had was that is caused a little bit of a neck irritation on my AmStaff, but I think that was because he is a wiggley worm and never holds still! I bought mine from a pet store in Wisconsin, but amazon sells the same product for 18.00 for a size large.

They are now making a zip line that goes from one end of the back seat to the other... I am iffy about that, because if you get into an accident and the dog is running back and forth on that line, you just defeated the whole purpose of the seat belt... the dog could still very easily get thrown out of the window. Or just be hanging there depending of if the dog got thrown forward.

All in all I am very pleased with them!

 

[Criosphynx]

I don't find it distracting. I put them in the back and they lay down.


I tried a harness once on the spicy one, he wouldn't sit still (it was obviously uncomfortable) and found a way to get tangled and I had to pull over in traffic and 'save" him before he lost a limb or som'thing. Now THAT was distracting

 

[pawzaddict]

I dont seat belt my guys in, they are good in the back seat as well

 

[ScentHound]

I don't find it distracting. I put them in the back and they lay down

X2

Cleo sits in the passenger seat when it is just I and her. Missy will sit their also when Cleo isn't with. The only place Betty fits is in the back seat of the Jeep, but she plops her head on my shoulder as I drive. Harley generally just flops where I put him.

[/IMG]

However, I see people drive with their small dogs in their laps or hanging out the drivers side window. I would say that is just as dangerous as texting.

 

[Indigirl]

It's illegal here (aus) to drive with then on your lap but my old dog used to love it he'd just wander over and plonked himself down. It was quite distracting but cute of course
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[Peeps85]

I didn't have a car for the first few years I had my dogs. I lived in a small town and everything was with in walking distance! So Toby would get rowdy in the backseat, I think it freaked him out at first which is why I turned to the seat belts for the them. I thought it was the safest thing for them. Now he is fine, but I still use them.

 

[ScentHound]

Holy heck, I didn't realize I was getting that grey, lol.

 

[Luananeko]

I drive a Subaru Outback that has a pet gate installed on top of the back seat, so I just keep Sandy back there in the cargo area. The gate keeps her back there, so there's no distractions, and she still gets to look around and enjoy the ride In case of an accident I don't have to worry about her hurtling over the top of the seat either.

 

[Esme]

Since we have always had big dogs we always have an SUV. The dogs always just lay down in the back when we take them anywhere. Esme on the other hand goes almost everywhere with me, even if it is just a quick trip to the store, When the weather permits of course and she just rides in the back of my Expedition since we took out the third set of seats. I have though about a seat belt kind of thing for her but is there one for the back of an SUV?

 

[Plushie]

But isn't there a problem with dogs laying down in the back, in the slim chance there's an accident and they're propelled forward they could get hurt? (Or maybe slam into you. ) If you have a kid, even if they're well behaved you'll want them strapped in so they won't go flying out in a crash.

 

[pawzaddict]

But isn't there a problem with dogs laying down in the back, in the slim chance there's an accident and they're propelled forward they could get hurt? (Or maybe slam into you. ) If you have a kid, even if they're well behaved you'll want them strapped in so they won't go flying out in a crash.

I personally have mixed feelings on seat belts in general. I have known someone who died in a car accident BECAUSE of the seat belt. If he was not strapped in he would have not been crushed the way he was. I think its more likely a dog would freak out so bad when strapped in they could honestly cause more injury to themselves fighting to get out of the seat belt. There are always pros and cons to things.

 

[hollyharvey]

I have been thinking about getting a doggie seat belt ever since the road safety team came into my university and showed me what could happen if a dog isn't fastened up in the car. Not only could it kill your dog but if there is enough force and the dog hits the back of your head rest apparently that can kill you as well! Its a horrible thought.
I really need to get seat belts for my babies!
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[Gunwy]

when my dog was a puppy she hated to travel in the car, she would puke, whine and bark, until we were FINALLY able to taught her how to behave in the car and we dont have anymore problems now. And we dont use belts either

 

[Criosphynx]

But isn't there a problem with dogs laying down in the back, in the slim chance there's an accident and they're propelled forward they could get hurt? (Or maybe slam into you. ) If you have a kid, even if they're well behaved you'll want them strapped in so they won't go flying out in a crash.

There is, which is why I tried the restraint. In the end I felt it was a bigger risk than an accident.

I've dabbled with the idea of crating the dog while driving, but haven't decided yet.

 

[pawzaddict]

I just saw this...for small dogs only
PetGear Auto Carrier and Kennel | Overstock.com

 

[LDMomm]

We use soft sided bags that strap into the seatbelts. We also have a booster seat that they can clip their harness into but we don't use it anymore (it's in my avatar).