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It's a very scary thought and prior to buying an SUV and kitting it out with dog guards in the back, I always used restraints in the car. They hated it at first.
Oh yeah. They hate it at first!
I tried briefly with my new dog last week but it didn't fit right.
My other dog and I drove down the street with him barking and me yelling quiet. It's good to have a second person to help with that. And, maybe a shaker can or a spray bottle with listerine to spray in their mouth's to reinforce the quiet command.
But, I guess every dog is different....
Last edited by World Citizen; 12-17-2008 at 09:01 AM..
The owner at ruffrider told me to do a graduated introduction in the house for a while and work up to getting in the vehicle. That way, they get used to it. Any time I pick up a leash, they get very excited and know something nice is happening - they love riding in the car. So, after they are used to the vest, I';ll hook the leash on it to get them into the car happily then transfer from leash to seatbelt.
Oh. It's not the transferring to the car that's the problem.
It's them getting happy about being restrained while riding in the car that's an adjustment.
It's definitely do-able and worth the adjustment period... but in my experience, the adjustment period was rather noisy!
ETA - As in everything else, I'm sure all dogs behave differently. My dog had been riding shotgun in the passenger seat and suddenly found himself banished to the back seat - AND in a restraint.
He let me know what he thought about it!
Last edited by World Citizen; 12-17-2008 at 12:43 PM..
She has sort of a greyhound/whippet chest. It was a disaster to get her long legs in and out of it. I was disappointed because I know that is a top notch seat belt, but it's not adjustable (apparently it used to be and they changed the design).
I need something as well and quick, right now I feel it is dangerous to have my dog in the car. She seems to big for a crate.
Four Paws makes one that is adjustable. I don't know how it compares to the ruffrider one but it worked well for my last dog. They are nylon padded with faux sheep fur and adjust in 2 places.
Yesterday, I tried a short ride with my dog in a seat belt. The one I currently have is actually a little too large but I wanted see how it would go with him since he HATES being confined and has had separation anxiety issues. I quit bringing him for rides because he's torn up the trim around my windows more than once - just being left for a few minutes - when I ran in a store to pick something up.
Frankly, I'm amazed.... He sat there and didn't make a sound. (Could be because he's not been going for rides lately???)
Now, I feel encouraged that if I purchase him a size smaller restraint that it will be feasible with him to ride in it.
Big WOW !!!
I'm very happy about this. Seat belts for dogs are important!
Good news! I have to get one soon. I want to go to the mountains and take my dog with me, but I wouldn't risk the trip otherwise (in addition to her not being safe unrestrained, she also likes to stand up on the seat - not safe for her, me, and anyone around me, so I end up pulling over until I can get her into a sit...)
I noticed that Fosters and Smith has a couple of different ones... but they attach to a hook system.
I'm going to get another Four Paws one like I've had before. It's padded and the seat belt actually goes through the back of the harness. It seems to give more control.
My dogs are always kenneled when we travel (even for just a few miles travel). I have the kennels modified so that they are bolted to the floor and all 4 kennel doors point to a different van opening. (2 point to the back and one to each of the side back doors. The kennels I use are smaller than what would be used for say airline travel for dogs my size but the dogs are used to them and settle comfortably in them. I was in an auto accident about 15 years ago where an idiot ran a stop light and I ended up broadsiding him at around 35 miles and hour. I was hurt but my very dear dog died instantly by going through the windshield. Please, please restrain your pets. Like all unrestrained passengers, the chances of survival are much improved if they are restrained. Trust me you don't want to see what I saw on that awful day
So sorry for you, Va-Cat. I have always taken the dogs with me around town and never stopped to think about what might happen b/c it was "in town." I moved across the country w/o any restraints, again due to thoughtlessness. The ruffrider elite has 2 places on the strap to use for the seatbelt, so the dogs can have more or less length to move around.
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