This is an old issue, but I was rear ended last night on my way out to training so I had Danni in the car.

I always have my dogs crated in the car. Always always always. It drives me insane to see dogs that are not crated in the car (or securely fastened in one way or another).

Anyway, ironically, The Whole Dog Journal re-posted this article today on their Facebook:

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/9_10/features/Dog_Transportation_15845-1.html?s=FB122012

Never a bad time for this reminder, and I thank you!



" I was rear ended last night on my way out to training so I had Danni in the car."

Are you OK?

Please let us know if you guys are ok?

Great Reminder!

I completely agree, that dogs need to be fastened. My dogs either travel in their crates or tied out on the seat - I do not want them becoming projectiles and hurting us or themselves.

One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing dogs jumping all over the vehicle while the owners strain to see the road over them. If someone had their dog like this and hit me, I would be ABSOLUTELY livid!

Can someone recommend a good restraint type product for a dog in a car? I am in need of one. I will check this site, but would be interested in anyone's recommendation. This is a subject I never really thought about, and now realize I need to take care of!

I use a wide flat collar with a double clip line to the carseat anchor or a leash slammed in the door for quick trips.

I have also used a walking harness or pulling harness also clipped to the carseat anchor.

For long trips I fold up the back seat and tie them down on the floor, I feel they are safer this way, if we are in an accident because they are away from the windows. When I fold the seats up I still have access to the carseat anchors from underneath, so I use a double clip line to secure them in.

I don't have anything super technical, but it does the job and is convenient enough that I use it everytime I drive. Nothing worse then having to go through a 20 minute process everytime you want to get your dog in the car.

 Quote: Jonathan Frost

Can someone recommend a good restraint type product for a dog in a car?

I really wish I could say "I recommend a Champion Car Restraint System," but I don't know of a reliable dealer. I had one for years and thought it was excellent. It allows the dog to turn, sit, lie down, etc., but not to become a projectile. I wish they were more reliably distributed. (Maybe the situation has improved recently; I think it's worth checking. This http://thefamilyvet.blogspot.com/2010/02/champion-canine-seat-belt-system.html is from 2010.)

But here's a recap I ran across recently of dog restraints:
http://www.agilepooch.com/dogstuff/dogbelts/dogbelts.html


Here's something else, extremely important, that I realize the regular posters here are well aware of but that still (IMO) bears repeating: in the event of an accident in which there are injuries, the car will probably be opened from the outside by someone who happens to be on the scene or by first responders. A LOOSE DOG WILL PROBABLY JUMP OUT.

That means that the dog will probably be loose in traffic, maybe on a multi-lane freeway.

Even if it's a quiet back-road, there's a very good chance that the dog will run from strangers trying to corral him, frightened and/or injured and/or confused.

Neither one is good. The dog in traffic is very vulnerable to being hit, even if he survived the initial accident with no injury, and the dog who runs is very vulnerable to being lost.


Over the years, I've twice seen dogs running in traffic after fairly minor accidents when the car door was opened to reach and aid the driver.

I saw one such loose dog hit (he died at the scene .... not instantly ) and another miraculously rescued by a carful of teenagers who surrounded him and managed to grab and hold him (and think of how many strangers are going to be brave enough to do this when the dog is an unknown large dog of one of the "scary" breeds, such as GSD, that many of us own).

I've also read about an unrestrained dog not allowing EMTs to approach the unconscious owner.


There's more than the initial accident to think about. I'm guessing that what happens immediately after the accident affects the dog as often as what happens during. A very minor collision can result in a dog jumping out into traffic.

JMO!

 Quote: Niomi Smith

.... I have also used a walking harness or pulling harness also clipped to the carseat anchor.

For long trips I fold up the back seat and tie them down on the floor, I feel they are safer this way, if we are in an accident because they are away from the windows. When I fold the seats up I still have access to the carseat anchors from underneath, so I use a double clip line to secure them in.

I don't have anything super technical, but it does the job and is convenient enough that I use it everytime I drive. Nothing worse then having to go through a 20 minute process everytime you want to get your dog in the car.

Mine are crated, but I'd do one of these if not.

I agree 100% with the person who wrote the article* that "ANY restraint is probably better than none."






*
http://www.agilepooch.com/dogstuff/dogbelts/dogbelts.html

We're fine, thanks all!

I'm glad this could still help! My dogs are always crated and I still worry about their safety. But yes, if you can't do crates, please do something.

This area is getting so "dog friendly," and I just see so many dogs loose in the car.

Mine are always either crated or secured with a doggy seatbelt/harness.

Another thing to consider is where you put your crate, many people put them in the trunk/hatch area....the area that in most modern cars is supposed to be a rear crumple zone....

Maybe my set-up could inspire someone who is car-size impaired? This is in a tiny 2005 Hyundai Elantra GT Hatchback, but it also works in the sedan version...it's a 42in long 3-door crate (now is metal ziptied, not in pictures) that had to be opened IN the car but is removed easily if needed.

Requires minimal securing as there physically is no place for it to move. There is a divider so I don't have a perpetual game of "*whiiiiine* He's TOUCHING MEEEEEE" while I'm driving...100 perfect visiblity too, unlike with airline crates....

Because the seat is in the upright position I can store a LOT of luggage and dog gear under the crate on the floor (but didn't figure that out until AFTER these pictures..which is why the hatch is so messy XD)

I keep bolt cutters under my seat (secured in place so they can't go flying in the event of an accident that warps the crate so I can't open it...the dogs have special snap collars (no buckles in case they got caught) with ID tags and USB drives with detailed info and phone numbers on how to get them home specifically for car wear. I also have combination locks for each crate door when I park and because the fit is so tight can park with my windows 100% open in warmer weather and not have to worry about someone reaching in and managing to break into my car (and seriously, if you're willing to stick your hand through the dog crates to get into the front to steal my....er....seatcovers? ooo, maybe you could steal my new steering wheel cover! or taco bell wrappers! I'll just give them to you XD).

New additions not pictured include a no leak "hamster bottle" for each side because Gam likes to swim and Ryuk's not as stable on his feet in a moving car as he thinks he is....

Ryuk Side
http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy189/Blitzava_Ryuk/P1000680.jpg

Gamblegoof Side (awwww...he was so lanky...he's not as lanky anymore O_o)
http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy189/Blitzava_Ryuk/P1000682.jpg

From the back
http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy189/Blitzava_Ryuk/P1000681.jpg