Update: Seat Belt~ A Good News Story and another plea to get you to use one

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We have had many posts here on DK about Seat Belt issues.  I think I've finally found our answer to this very debated topic.  Last week, a very long week, the last straw for me was when Spud’s seat belt broke as I used the brakes.   The next moment, Spud was roaming about the van.  How safe is that?  So, I found this incident to get on my last nerve and to throw a fit about and release all my other troubles.  Yes, I was going to go to the top government agency and complain!

On Facebook, I found an agency to complain to about the poor quality of my seat belt.  I placed pictures and some comments to the Pet Auto Safety Commission!  

Well, DUH ME.  Really, did I think there was such an Agency?   Give me a break on my stupidity.  Not that there should be one, but there really isn’t such a agency.

I placed my frustration on an innocent business on Facebook who sells Pet Auto Safety products.  That's when I met Dawn.

It was then that I realized I had posted my complaints to a business trying to encourage us to use Pet Safety Belts.   I felt terrible and offered to take my post down.  Dawn said no, I am so happy you realize the issue of Pet Safety and could she send me a REAL SEAT BELT to try?   In just three days, Spud's  Bergan Seat Belt arrived.  Free of Charge, Dawn wanted to help us out.

There really are blessings in disguise.  First, I met a person/business who actually cares about the consumer!   Second, I discovered a great product that my dog and I are both so happy with. 

PLEASE~ I AM ASKING ALL MY DK FRIENDS to buckle up the dogs and  TO 'LIKE' DAWN'S FACEBOOK PAGE. 

https://www.facebook.com/PetAutoTravelSafety

ANOTHER PLEA TO USE THE BELTS FOR YOUR DOODLES

About ten years ago, I was driving at a high rate of speed down the interstate when two tires were erratically rolling at a high rate of speed back towards me.  Another few feet, I see two dogs running petrified into me also. Head On.  I swerve and miss them as traffic behind me began to brake and snake around the pups.  Then I see the mangled car smoking just ahead.  Sadly, I have no idea what happened to the dogs as I was stuck inside a mangled mess of cars.   A month ago, I read a sad plea for any information about a Boxer who had been ejected on that same highway in another auto crash.  The dog had been missing a week.  The post says, " We have not given up hope, but we know the chances are no longer good"

My husband tells a story of his beagle mix being slammed into the dash as he was hit from behind.  The dogs jaw mangled and bloodied.

Today on Facebook, another post asking everyone to share information regarding a missing Sheltie Mix missing after another serious crash. The dog was ejected and missing.

Without posting any photos, please do a simple search ( images ) with the words dogs ejected from cars after accidents.

Buckle Up Doodlers

If you need help, Dawn can  help you with what will work for you and your doodles.  Please ask her where you can get started.  Ask for suggestions.  Tell her about your auto, your dog, how much it weighs, and the best product to use. There are several different products.

It is great to find a Good Business.  Rarely do I promote anything, but this time, I truly believe in the product and her business!

Dawn, Thank You.  Thanks for helping me and Thanks for keeping my Best Friend Safe

Again, Like her on FB for me please.  She sent a crazy old lady like me a Free Seat Belt ( Note~ don't try this as you will not be getting a free seat belt. I was not trying to do this either. It just happened. Maybe she felt sorry for me for being stupid about a dog government agency and so frustrated with my situation)

You really can't get better than a business who cares, helps some silly crazy woman like me, and she wants to keep us safe.

 

 

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thanks BG  :)    I can really tell the difference in Spud's overall satisfaction, comfort, and riding security.  He is comfortable and it shows.   Oh and safe as he can be.

[BG and Gavin]

Joanne, you KNOW how I feel about this whole topic and I could not be happier that you found a system that suits Spud's needs.  Thanks for spreading the good work.  I sleep a little better each night that I know our doodles are safely buckled in.  P.S. We are heading to the cottage tomorrow for the first time since October and Gavin will be safely and happily secured in the back seat of the truck.

[Dawn Ross]

Hey all, I don't mean to start out my membership with promoting my business. But if you do decide to buy a dog car harness and have found that you like the ones I have, please use discount code petvolunteer at checkout. Also, I will be holding a contest on my blog to win one in May.

[Dawn Ross]

Nicky, Riley & Boris - I know someone in the UK who also sells the Bergan dog car harness. She can ship to Ireland and other European countries. Her website is fleecedogharness.co.uk. Stella, I can ship to Canada, but know that Canada will charge you an import fee.

Also Stella, as far as the dog being able to get out of the harness, as far as I know there is no escape-proof harness. The only way to make one escape proof would be to make it too tight. This can be highly uncomfortable and would only make their desire to escape worse. I usually suggest getting them used to the harness first, before taking them in the car. Have them wear it around the house under close supervision. Reward with treats, play with them, and do other fun stuff while they are wearing it. In a few days or weeks, depending on the dog, they will look forward to wearing the harness. When that time comes, take short trips in the car. If possible, have someone sit in the back with them to distract them with treats should they start to try to get out of the harness. Positive reinforcement is the key for Houdini dogs. ;)

The Bergan doesn't use the seat belt buckle in a way that the dog can release the clip. Maya kept getting tangled the Kurgo tether, so I switched it out with the Bergan tether. Now she wears the Kurgo harness piece but uses the Bergan tether and doesn't get tangled any more.

I hope this helps :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks Joanne and Dawn.

[Stella]

Nicky, Riley & Boris - if she can't ship to you in Ireland, you could get it sent to one of us and then we'll mail it to you. I'd be willing, but I am in Canada so the original shipping would be higher than if it shipped to someone in the States.

[Stella]

I'd be interested if she can find a car harness that works for my Houdini dog. He worked used to get really tangled up in the first harness because of the way it attached to the seatbelt. The second harness he worked out how to get off by lying down and backing up until tension on the harness pulled it off over his head. The most recent one attaches into the seat belt buckle. He worked out how to stand on the release clip to undo the buckle!! I gave up after that but do worry about him being loose in the back of the car.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Dawn, thank you for joining DK.  Everyone welcome her LabradorDoodle and her Aussie-mix-a-doodle.  Tell her that many of us have Guinea Pig-A- Doodles and Cat-A-Doodles and all kinds of love for our animals and that she is welcome here. 

Dawn is also a dog trainer.  We have another valuable member added to this fantastic site.  Please welcome her! 

[Star and Goldie]

Awesome! Thanks for the update. I ordered the Champion Restraint Belt and am waiting for that to come in. I don't have a harness just yet- still researching for that. Thanks for giving me some more options to chew on :)

And Spud is handsome as ever :)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I want one!