Seatbelts

[Heather & Brinkley]

So Brinkley is going on a road trip with the hubby in a few weeks.  Once he heard the story of the doodle that was saved because he retrained when they got in an accident, he has been asking that I order a seatbelt.  Two things:

 

1)  How do these work?  Do they still get to move around a bit and stick their head out the window.  I know it's important to keep him safe but Brinkley lives for sticking his head out the window on car rides.

2)  Any suggestions on which one to buy?

 

My hubby will thank you!

Heather

[Diana Erhart]

Ditto on the Kurgo here.  Charlie likes the harness because it does NOT have the fur that faces his body.  He really didn't like that on his other one.  He is about 24 lbs. and can sit, stand and lay down with it on.  There is also a tether you can get to go with it that will allow them to move around in the back seat.  I haven't gotten that yet but probably will when we have to make a trip longer than a few hours.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm going to say ditto on the head out the window ....... although he loves it, it really just isn't safe.  I would also add that whatever type of harness system you come up with try and get one that snaps into the tie down bars in the seat rather than the hooking into the seatbelts because they can step on the seatbelt buttons and come unhooked and you never even know it until it is possibly too late.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

I've been following this discussion.  After seeing another comment about a dog getting their head stuck in the window by stepping on the automatic button.  I would like to share that without a dog wearing a seatbelt or restraint.  Allowing them to ride with the window down or if they hit the button and it rolls down.  There is a possiblity they could/would jump out while the car is moving/stopped.  I have seen this happen twice.  Once the person was getting gas at a very busy station, the dog stepped on the button and jumped out right in front of a car.  Luckily the driver was able to stop quickly and the dog was okay.  The other time the person was at a stop sign when their dog saw a cat.  I helped this lady get her dog.  She said he loves car rides and gets so excited. 

Even a well trained dog has moments.  Most of us think this wouldn't happen to me (myself included).  But why take the chance or give our dogs the opportunity.  Apollo loves sticking his head out the window too, but no longer gets to do it.  I do roll the window down 2-3 inches so he still gets to smell all those wonderful things.  He is just as happy with that and really only cares that he is in the car going somewhere with me.  Sorry if I sound like I'm preaching that is not my intention. 

I use the Champion seatbelt system for Clover and Apollo.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Sedona has both a car seat and a harness.  Her car seat is the largest Zoom II (as a medium doodle, it's a good fit).  It's secured to the seat with a seatbelt.  It raises her high enough that she can see out the windows and comfy enough that she usually settles in to sleep.  Her harness (I can't remember the name) is from Petco or Petsmart.  The tether is long enough to allow movement within her car seat, but short enough that she wouldn't go too far in a sudden stop.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I bought a zipline type thing that goes across the back seat of the car (it attaches to the little handles above the door).  I haven't tried it yet because I am worried about my two doods getting tangled up (I bought it back when I only had Cubbie).  It is supposed to give them the ability to move about while keeping them secure. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks for the seatbelt suggestions everyone!  I'm going to start searching tonight.

 

I appreciate it!

 

As for the window-- I keep all the child locks on and I put it down less than half way (so he couldn't fit out if he tried)-- so he's more getting a breeze then sticking his head all the way out.  He's definetly not standing on the armrest with his head and body sticking out.  He normally sits down and let's his fur blow in the breeze. Thanks!