Can you have a dog on the back seat of a car without using a seat belt clip?

[FoxandDuck]

As the title really. This weekend, I ideally need to get four teens (so no car seats) plus the dog in the car for a journey. All of the teens (two of whom are mine) are huge dog lovers, particularly the two we’re giving a lift to.
Is there anyway of getting them all in the car? Usually, I attach DDog to a harness which then uses a seat belt socket. But all of the seat belt sockets will be being used by the children. Putting DDog in the boot isn’t an option as that will be full of kit already. I know DDog will end up on the knee of one of the teens were giving a lift to so there’s space for him, I just need a way of securely fastening him in the car.

Surely the most sensible thing to do is to leave the dog at home.

I have a car clip that has a caribiner that goes around the seatbelt instead of clicking on. I got it from pets at home.

I don’t put dog in boot because of risk of being rear ended.

I have a car clip that has a caribiner that goes around the seatbelt instead of clicking on. I got it from pets at home.

I don’t put dog in boot because of risk of being rear ended.

I admit, our dog is brilliant in the car and we just bung her in the back. She’s been in the car for hours like that without an issue. She’s 7, we got her as a pup, and has gone very long journeys like that (eg London to Cornwall, Somerset to Scotland and there’s never a peep from her. I’ve never even thought of the insurance thing tbh.

Awaits MN flaming.

The dogs we had when I was a kid in the 80s & 90s were free in the car and where they sat depended on who else was in the car. They might be in the front passenger seat or they might be squished in a foot well. This is the first dog I have had as an adult and we’ve only had him since March so I’m aware of the need for him to be restrained in the car, have a tag on, be microchipped etc (as well as so much else changing!).
The reason for the question is that the only was the other two kids can get to them to activity is if I take them. Logistics mean I’ll most probably have to have the dog with me as well as them and then mine & their paraphernalia. But I want everyone and the dog to be safe. If it’s not going to work, then we have enough time to see if someone else can take the other DC or if someone else can have the dog.

I think:

1. Isofix quick buy option for this trip
2. sort out other lift for other child or dog care

and then - get a roof box for "stuff" and a crash tested crate for the boot. Then you can fill your car to the brim whenever you want with people stuff and dog

We use one that loops around the headrest.

This. You can do it with a lead easiy enough if you have a longish lead.

We weren’t allowed to take our puppy home without a seatbelt for him! He now just sits in the back and I always clip him in - would be worried about him falling and injuring himself without it tbh! We are a family of 5, so when we’re all in the car, we use the seatbelt that clips around the headrest and he goes on someone’s knee.

And yes, if I don’t have the seatbelt, I just loop the lead round and pass it through to clip it on.

Highway code states your dog should be restrained in the car

I use straps that have isofix clips instead of (or as well as) seat belt clips. I changed from seat belt when a dog stepped on the red seat belt release and accidentally released himself mid-journey.

It also has the benefit of freeing up the seat belt buckle for passengers.

Amazon Link to example.

Yes because the dog can fend for itself for a weekend.

If you have an accident, what will stop your dog from being flung forward and killed?

Or hitting you at force and killing you.

Or OP could look at alternatives like pet sitter or kennels.