Dogs in cars

[WowLookAtYou]

What do you recommend using to restrain your dog in the car? I want something that's very easy to attach and detach and is sufficient for a dog weighing around 17kg.
Any ideas?

We have a harness from pets at home for Ddog that attaches to the seat belt. You can also use it to attach the lead so the daft dog doesn't choke himself if he gets excited and pulls a bit.

There's an extender that clips into the seat belt slot and in to the harness. I think we got ours from amazon.

Mine (23kg) travels in the boot.

I use a strong bungee lead that is attached to an anchor point in the boot. It is then attached to his harness when he is the car. It is long enough that he could jump out the boot and land on the floor with no trouble but not go much further and allows me to clip his normal lead on then clip that lead off when getting him out the car.

I also have a dog gate to stop him jumping into the main body of the car.

We have a seat belt attachment that we clip onto our dog’s harness.

If its just one medium size dog the harness that clips to a seatbelt will do, together with a waterproof, scrabble resistant seat cover or two.

You can also get car boot shaped crates, mine cost about £40 three years ago, the company sold them in six sizes to fit everything from a Fiesta type to a Range Rover type. You can also get tailor made for your car crating from companies like Barjo, but you're looking at £100s for that.

Mine is very well-behaved in the car; he just crouches down (either on the back seat or in the boot) and doesn't move. If there's a human in the back, he'll attempt to sit on their lap. We haven't used a harness since he was a puppy, but I've just realised (to my ) that this could be against the law or invalidate insurance in the event of a crash. It's not clear exactly whether there is a law, or just guidelines, but they do mention about dogs barking or jumping about distracting the driver and causing a crash. I get that, but mine is never a pain in that way. However, in the event of a crash, I do know that he'd be a flying missile, so for that alone, I'm intending to sort this out.

Just need to get dh on board now.

OP. Another reason to tether him is that in the event of a crash that he survives, he may be so scared he bolts when the emergency services open (or cut open) the door. As this could mean him bolting near a fast road he might be in real trouble by running off. He may also not come back if strangers are calling him after a scary experience.

I know; you're quite right. I've now been out and bought one of the harness things some of you have mentioned. Just need to try it on him (not sure I have the correct size or if it will expand) and then make persuade dh to use the bloody thing.

"'Ive now been out and bought one of the harness things some of you have mentioned"

Well done on getting this sorted.

"persuade dh to use the bloody thing"

As I understand it, it is the law and carries up to a £5000 fine. Surely he won't need persuaded?

Well, he agrees in principle, but I can just imagine the scene in future when he's in a hurry and just says, "Bollocks to that," and leaves it off - which is silly, I know, as he would never have done that with the kids when they were small, and he much prefers the dog to any of us!

This is going to be something I come up against soon. Can you use any harness (e.g. julius K9) or does it have to be something car specific?

Car journeys will only be every few weeks but 3-4 hours at a time with almost no short journeys in between, at least for the next few months.

I used to have a boot guard and put mine in there. However, my boot is huge and it's such a waste of space plus the accidents that I have ever had have all been people driving into the back of me so I was worried about the boot being a crumple zone. I did think about getting a boot crate but decided to move him to the back seat. I use a harness and a seat belt attachment coupled with dog covers to try and minimise the mess.

I try to cover the seats with old towels but it's all a bit of a mess. I may also invest in some proper seat covers. We don't let him in dh's car at all, as his seats are pale grey leather and suede!

This is no longer in stock but this is what I got for the back seats

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N0WZD4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_383VAb7SSQSD3?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Having seen crash tests of harnesses specifically sold as car harnesses I would never use one. Frankly I think the dog stands a better change loose in a footwell than with one of those horrors on. And no your dog won't still be secured in the vehicle in the event of a crash where they need to cut you out.

A crate secured in the vehicle is the safest option (most modern cars have tether points in the boot that can be used).

Next safest is loose in the boot, with a guard up.

There is no law on restraining dogs in the vehicle. The highway code recommends dogs are restrained. You would only have a legal issue in a crash, if your dog caused the crash by jumping around the car or on to your lap, in the driver's footwell, etc. Where you can be done for dangerous driving.

*better chance loose

Please excuse the other typos too. I'm tired and need to go to bed!