I have an upcoming road trip with my dogs... I had posted a long time ago about going on one but it never actually happened, lol. Here's trial number 2!

My question is: Although we're taking the crates, there's not enough room to have them both assembled in the back of the rental. I understand that a harness is a good way to go- however I'm concerned because i know that they'll get tangled up. I've tried it in my car (attached two leashes to the D-rings provided for baby seats) and they lasted about 5 min. before I had to pull over and untangle them. Any thoughts?

One dog crated and the other secured.

What type of car are you going to rent. Is there enough room to asemble one crate and just rotate the dogs in the crate.

What gets tangled, the leash or the dog?

Why would you use a leash with a harness? The ones I have are designed for the seatbelt to go through the harness directly.

What vehicle are you renting? In my car, for example, I couldn't have even one crate set up because there wouldn't be room for the second dog to sit.

Your dogs can't be out together in the car? Because if that is the issue then the harnesses will not be able to keep them far enough apart. Not too sure what the issue is here though??

What kind of rental car is it going to be? Maybe you can buy a barrier if it is an SUV and have them loose in the back (if they are well-behaved). We purchased a barrier on Ebay that is spring-loaded and easily removable if need be, but sturdy enough to contain a very high energy 75b. AmBull. I always always always use crates whenever possible when traveling with my dogs. My boyfriend has the barrier in the back of his car, I'm a crate advocate.

When going camping the back seats of my Forester were stocked with luggage/supplies, so there was no room for two crates. I put down dog beds and a water bowl in the cargo area, and the dogs just napped in there for the 2 hr. drive. It is SO much safer for both you and the dogs in case of an accident to be in crates, though.

sorry, I should have clarified a few other things.

I am renting a small sized SUV (won't know exactly what until I get there, but it's supposed to be a jeep liberty or equivalent). Yes, I can have one crate assembled with dog and one loose. I have no problems with the dogs being out loose together in the back of the vehicle; my concern is them having leashes attached to something and getting tangled up together- I'm not sure if you have the seats folded down if you can attach a seatbelt to a harness, or how comfortable it would be for the dog without the height of the seat. The idea of the harness would be safety in case of a quick stop, right? I think they'll be easily contained in the back of the suv, it's more safety that I'm worried about.

They are well-behaved. I was thinking about purchasing a spring-loaded type barrier; is that sufficient to keep the dogs safe? I'm trying to keep in mind also that this is a rental, I'm not purchasing something for long term use, so buying something super expensive is not really the way I want to go.

Hope that all makes sense.

After reading this thread
http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/197749/page/2#Post197749
I've decided that I'll never travel with a dog loose or in a crate ever again. I'll be getting a harness and belting the dog in, just as I do my kids (well, they're in car seats, but you know what I mean, lol!) The potential for the dog to a) become a high velocity object and b) become seriously injured in an accident is just too big a risk. Also, the damage a crate could do if it were to go flying...eep!

The spring loaded barrier is of no use in a crash.

I still think crates are pretty safe - I like mine to be sideways as I figure that makes more sense if you have a frontal impact and you can anchor them to the tie downs in the back of an SUV with ratcheting straps. I also reinforce my crates with 8,000 gazillion zip ties. I know each one only has a strength of 75lbs but think of Gulliver and the Lilliputions.

Thanks for that link Melissa!

Unfortunately I checked out the website of the champion canine seat belt and called because I had some questions; their phone has been disconnected temporarily. My trip is in a week and a half. Does anyone have any suggestions for alternate seatbelt systems?

Carolyn,

This company, also in Colorado, carries the Champion seat belt

http://usak9outfitters.com/CCSS.htm