Aloha,

Cleo (1 y/o, 100 + lbs Presa Canario) goes everywhere with me. She rides in the front seat of my truck (bench seat) or car (bucket seat).

I am looking for a safe, reliable in-car restraint. I would like to find one (actually two--one for the truck, one for the car) that is sturdy and safe enough for a big girl like Cleo, yet easy to put on/take off of her. I don't mind if the restraint is cumbersome to put on/take off the car seat because I intend to leave one restraint on each vehicle for her (people can ride in the back)

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Mahalo

If your car is newer, then it will have latch bars designed for attaching baby seats and car seats.

In that case, my FAVORITE thing I ever bought for the dog travel was the PetBuckle Kwik-Connect from PetSmart . It has one end that latches onto the latch bar and the other latches onto my dogs harness. I did not skimp on the harness or buy the one that is made by the same manufacturer. I bought a really nice agitation harness from Leerburg that is comfortable and secure. They just jump in and I latch then in. It is unobtrusive enough to leave latched all the time, and does not interfere with the seat belts in any way.

I actually have a whole system. To protect leather seats, I cut a thick Yoga pad to fit the back seat, (protects the seat from the marks of a car seat as well) and I also have window guards. I found that if I wanted to leave the windows down on a warm day, the dog can’t get out (he would be latched) but that dumb people could still stick their hands in. Also, seeing a huge Rott with the windows down and not knowing that he could not get out was scary and unfair.

Here are some pictures:
Outside picture

Inside view

Anyway, these tethers have been tested in a car accident (by me unfortunately) and he held up very well, he had zero injuries and was secured when emergency personnel responded. Helped everyone in the situation.

Are the window guards secure, can someone take them off? How do they work and where did you get them?

I can't open Jessica's link (what's with me and links lately?) but what I have sounds similar, and like Jessica, I didn't go with the harness it came with (which would probably be good for a smaller dog, but not for my guys), but went with well-made broad harnesses that will support in case of an accident and are very solid.

I'm really happy with it.

And my mom got me a cover similar to this (not sure what it says a present since I use her car a lot ): http://www.caninecovers.com/

It's been a good system for us.

Eric,

While there are many restraint systems available, I would be concerned about using them in the front seat. An airbag deployment is a powerful thing and in an accident could injure even a properly restrained dog.

 Quote: Anna Anderson

Are the window guards secure, can someone take them off? How do they work and where did you get them?

Yes, quite secure.

The screen is a metal mesh that is used in many applications where it holds a human's weight alone, but for the screens there are metal supports for extra rigidity.

It is, ironically, held to the door with Velcro. It is airline/industrial grade (holds airplane panels together) and strong, but I can easily remove the screen without damage to the car in any way. If I want to permanently remove the Velcro, Goo Gone will loosen the bond and remove the sticky residue.

The key to the screens is that they fit the outside perimeter of the interior door panel, so when the door is shut, it is sandwiched between the car frame and the door.

I have Quinn in the car quite often and at Schutzhund training I leave him in the car, all hooked up nice and tight. When fellow club members are on the field, whips cracking, dogs barking, helpers yelling, he can get quite worked up. As they walk past the car, he may throw ALL of his weight against the window while barking and snarling and it won't budge. Everyone feels quite safe (and as a backup, to prevent him from jumping into the front seat where he could break the windows or rip my leather, he is tethered.) It also protects my window tinting from scratches, as the grate is inside the car. Actually, with the windows closed (thanks to the tinting) the screen is virtually invisible.

If you are brave enough you may come up and pound on it from the outside as well with the same security.

All places where the metal would touch plastic inside my car, there is a dense foam lining to prevent rubs.

It was custom made for me and my Charger by a fellow club member. We sat and brainstormed together for two hours to get it right and made a blank out of pressed cardboard first and then welded it later.

My only issue is that they interfere a little with my sight when trying to look out the back windows while driving, but does not completely block it.

The kids LOVE it and some of our friends at the department want him to make some for their personal vehicles.

Anna, you are close enough that he could make one for you if you wanted hi to. He is in Ventura twice (at least) a week and lives in Bakersfield. He would need access to your car two or three times to get the fit right...

I think the best way to go for any dog, especially a large one, and you (unless you wanna get smacked with 100# projectile!) is a rig like this. I have a 65# GSD. I got one a couple years ago and have never seen another that's even close to this quality and strength of construction.

However, unlike their product, their customer service was non-existent. Never got anyone on the phone, only an answer machine; threatened to have my credit card charge reversed; finally got the harness after 3 weeks. I know other people had similar experiences then, as well. I believe this place is only the distributor. There are no tags on the harness to indicate who make it or where. I got the feeling I was dealing with someone running a business out of their spare bedroom.

When I called today, I got a newer, upgraded answer system, so maybe things have improved.

Bottom line - if I ever needed another one, I'd still get one of these, but I'd be sure to use a credit card so that I could cancel/reverse the charge if there was a problem.

Caveat Emptor!

Mike

 Quote: Mike Armstrong

I think the best way to go for any dog, especially a large one, and you (unless you wanna get smacked with 100# projectile!) is a rig like this. I have a 65# GSD. I got one a couple years ago and have never seen another that's even close to this quality and strength of construction.

However, unlike their product, their customer service was non-existent. Never got anyone on the phone, only an answer machine; threatened to have my credit card charge reversed; finally got the harness after 3 weeks. I know other people had similar experiences then, as well. I believe this place is only the distributor. There are no tags on the harness to indicate who make it or where. I got the feeling I was dealing with someone running a business out of their spare bedroom.

When I called today, I got a newer, upgraded answer system, so maybe things have improved.

Bottom line - if I ever needed another one, I'd still get one of these, but I'd be sure to use a credit card so that I could cancel/reverse the charge if there was a problem.

Caveat Emptor!

Mike

I am 100% with Mike on the Champion. Best ever, zero downside ---- except their distribution problems.

I used to recommend the Champion all the time, everywhere, until they took over their own shipping (their distributor either went out of business or couldn't handle them any more or something) and the customer service went to hell.

I have seen a recent one, too, at our club, and nothing has happened to the quality or anything; it's still the same great product. I am VERY happy to hear that maybe they have cleaned up their shipping problems.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

. . . I am VERY happy to hear that maybe they have cleaned up their shipping problems.

So, Eric, you can be our guinea pig.

 Quote: Mike Armstrong

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

. . . I am VERY happy to hear that maybe they have cleaned up their shipping problems.

So, Eric, you can be our guinea pig.

And PLEASE post back. I want very much to go back to recommending this great product!



(I am so glad I already have mine. )

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/04/2009 06:43 PM)
Edit reason: added smug line