Dog Car Harness Awareness!

There are car safety regulations for humans yet no specific dog seatbelt rules for our animal companions? We can’t talk on the phone while driving but you can allow Princess to cozy-up between your lap and the steering wheel? Where’s the sense in that? It’s very difficult to make a strong point that driving around with your dog on your lap is any safer than talking on the phone. I’ve even seen small dogs without a dog car harness hanging out on dashboards! Yup, believe it! I’ve seen dogs snoozing and taking sun just under the rear window. This has to change. Irresponsible dog owners need to be made aware of their erroneous actions because those actions could end in tragedy.

“I feel like an Action Hero when I’m buckled up… All I need is a Cape!” } Halle

How often do you see a dog riding in a car without a dog car harness? Way TOO often! It should be a simple thing; dog goes into car, dog gets clipped into a proper dog seatbelt. It’s logical. We estimate at least 9 out of 10 dogs tagging along on a ride don’t have a dog seat belt. Accidents happen too quickly and if your dog isn’t properly clipped in and secured, you’re asking for trouble. Why put all parties in and out of the car at risk when the solution costs a mere $50 and can save lives?

Dangerous Doggy Pinball!

If an accident does occur and your dog is in a ‘free-for-all’, he becomes a deadly bouncing pinball upon impact. For example if we take Halle, a 60-pounder, she is likely to cause an impact of almost 2700 pounds injuring herself and anyone else riding in the car. She might fly out a broken window into the street and into incoming traffic. It’s scary to even imagine such a traumatic situation but it can and does happen. If she were clipped snug into a dog harness, chances are she wouldn’t be bouncing around the car like a super ball.

Riding Shotgun!

Young children aren’t allowed to sit in the front of a car for many obvious reasons and neither should dogs. If Cuddles is chilling in the passenger side with, or worse, without a dog harness, the situation would be unnecessarily disastrous in the event of an accident. If you happen to experience a head-on collision and your air bags go off, your pup will not survive the impact and might bolt through a broken window. It’s too risky. Your best bet is to secure your dog preferably in the back seat with a dog seat belts. Your dog should never ride shotgun for the sake of not only your safety but others on the road.

As outdoorsy people we love tagging Halle along for adventures! One of her favorite activities is taking fun car rides. She absolutely loves it! As a young pup we’ve trained her to jump in the car on cue and patiently wait while we buckle her into her dog car harness. She even kindly and instinctively offers her paw so that we can slip in the harness securely – so sweet! The buckling process takes less than 30 seconds.

Halle always attracts passers by, especially kids when she has her head curiously sticking out of the car when parked. Kids love to come over to say hello and give Halle a few nice pats on the head. It’s funny cause it happens so often that we call it the “Halle Petting Zoo” LOL – ridiculously cute!

As a caring responsible dog owner you must teach your dog proper car etiquette or keep him home. I recommend you follow safe and smart car rules at all times when traveling with your pet. Your life, his life and the lives of others depend on it. The best way to look at dog seat belt safety is to apply similar rules used for children.

The Smartest Option…

We recommend the following option when traveling with your dog. There’s always variations of course, always do what’s best for your dog and your specific needs.

I don’t suggest you travel with your dog in the trunk of an SUV or large rear compartment unless he’s secured in a crate or has very limited mobility. There’s not much protection or padding in the trunk which can cause your pup to get knocked around pretty bad. I also don’t advise installing nylon mesh or wire dog barriers because they might save the passengers from an accident but doesn’t prevent your dog from flying out the back window and getting seriously injured. Barriers can be great if you travel with luggage and other large items in the truck but they won’t necessarily keep your dog safe.

2 Top Dog Harness Selections

You must buy a dog car harness for your dog. I highly recommend you look for harnesses with high quality hardware as cheap plastic may break during a collision. Here’s our top two dog seatbelts:

- Champion Canine Seat Belt System

- Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness

We like these two because they are:

- Easy to Use.
- Comfortable for your Dog.
- Made of Durable Material.
- Consist of High Quality Hardware.
- Appropriate Style and Size for all Dogs.

8 Principal Advantages of a Dog Car Harness

What’s your take on dog seat belts? Leave a comment. Don’t wait until an accident happens to buckle up your pup. Follow appropriate dog car etiquette and hook your furry friend up with a good dog car harness.