Which vehicle restraint best for large dog? (lab, legs, ears)

[Townandcountrygal]

Hobbs, our lab mix, has finally overcome his fear of riding in the car. Now he's disappointed when he has to stay home! What kind of restraint is best for him in the backseat and where can I buy it?

[MAK802]

We have this one and love it:

Seat belt (http://www.barkbuckleup.com/ProductsDetail.asp?ProductID=2&iView=1 - broken link)

You can also use it with a tether strap, to give them more roaming room instead of with a seatbelt:

Tether strap (http://www.barkbuckleup.com/ProductsDetail.asp?ProductID=3&iView=1 - broken link)

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Any halter that attaches to the seatbelt is good. keeps them in the car in case of an accident. I bought from www.ruffrider.com and like them but there are cheaper ones out there.

[lifelongMOgal]

I never had much luck with the seat belts. My lab would get himself twisted up or wrangle his way out. I now just use a plastic & wire crate for my new Springer pup. he has his toys, a rug, and a small water dish that attaches to the door. I don't have to worry about him trying to jump out when I open a door or before I am ready. YMMV.

[dogmomof2]

How fun for Hobbes! Glad he is able to enjoy car rides.

We use Easy Rider harnesses. They are easy to put on the dogs and easy to buckle in. Odie's is 6 years old and still looks like new (well, except for a few stray hairs stuck on the soft chest part).

[foxywench]

i love the ruff riders for bigger dogs, great quality!

[kayfouroh]

My 10 mo old lab pulls his way out of his harness: Top Paw&#153 Pet Safety Car Harness with Tether - Dog - Free Ship - PetSmart -- he will pull away from the child seat hook that it hooks into, then try to pull his legs out. I'm really not sure how he really gets out as the harness is pretty tight and I need to squeeze the whole thing together to even get it to clip shut.

We have the large size.

Anyone have any other suggestions? I have a hatchback so I was thinking of just getting the metal grate between the trunk and the back seat and keeping the dog in the trunk while we drive around.

[grannynancy]

Unless the metal grate is crash tested and bolted in it is pretty worthless still won't keep the dog in if the cars swing open as they often do.

the australians have a lot of good things including the milford barrier avaialbe in the states custom to certain car models.

[kayfouroh]

So are there any other suggestions? If the metal grate idea is bad then I'm open to other things (possibly a travel crate -- but we are thinking of taking an 8hr drive to visit my family in January so I don't think the dog will be ok for 8 hrs in the crate).

[grannynancy]

my dogs are used to traveling in crates. Stop every two two three hours take them out to stretch legs and they sleep most of the way.

I am actually looking into seatbelts myself so the dog can ride shotgun on really hot days (normally he is in back of truck in secured aluminimum crate) The champion came highly recommended to me.