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.

 

 

 

[Dawn Ross]

Thank you so much, Joanne! Hi, everyone. I'm Dawn. I just got signed on to DoodleKisses so let me see if I can answer all your questions.

I am a retailer for pet auto safety supplies. It was my FB business page that Joanne had posted on. I don't make the products myself. I get them from various companies. Before I agree to sell a product from another company, I ask them about safety testing.  My company is small and doesn't have a way to test ourselves, so I require a lot of data from these companies. The better companies jump at the chance to prove the worth of their products. Bergan, the car harness brand that Spud is wearing, is such a company. They have done numerous tests to verify the strength and fit of their dog car harnesses. You can see the various tests here - http://www.v9dt.com/procedure.htm. I have also gotten testing information from Kurgo, PetBuckle, and Ruff Rider.

The difference between a harness like Bergan's and a regular harness with a leash attached is strength and fit. Bergan is padded for comfort. And the large size that Spud is wearing has been verified to withstand 2,500 pounds of pressure.

Here is how the Bergan attaches using the seat belt of the car:

Guys, I am a retailer so my views may be biased. The only expertise I have on the dog car harnesses is my own research and that I trust the safety of these products with my own dogs. Pierson, my Aussie mix, wears the Bergan and Maya, my Labrador, wears the Kurgo Tru-Fit dog car harness.) So don't just take my word for it. I encourage each and every one of you to do you own research. If you are interested in a particular dog car harness brand, ask about their safety testing. Evaluate the differences between brands. And get one from a company that you feel has a sincere interest in making their products safe.

As of yet, there is no standard testing for safety on dog car harnesses. These harnesses are still in the perfecting stage... much like the phase that seat belts for people went through about 30 years ago. We know it is better to restrain our pets to keep them from flying through the windshield. But until standardization is set and laws are made to enforce the safety of these products, any company can make and sell a dog car harness. It is up to us as consumers to demand safety and make informed choices.

Sorry that is a lot. If I missed any questions. Please feel free to message me through this forum or by email on my website.

Thanks everyone! And thanks for letting me join even though I don't have a Doodle. :)

[Elaine Leitelt]

We've been using this one for several years and have been very happy with it. 

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Thanks Joanne!  Yes...Spuds new seat belt looks REALLY comfortable and probably works better but I was just curious  :)  

[Carol and Banjo]

p.s.    Spud couldn't possibly look happier or prouder in his new restraint system!!!     Love the photo!

[Carol and Banjo]

Joanne,   That's what we've been using....the Gentle Walk Harness.....I know it isn't the best....and after seeing Spud's new harness.....it's clear how much safer that one is....it just looks like the dog would suffer less injury in the event of an accident.    Thanks so much for taking the time to share what you've learned.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Joanna,

Previously we were using the Gentle Walk Harness with a seat belt attachment ( for dogs ).  It worked just fine with the harness.  But now I know what a good one feels and looks like. Use Anything for safety so the doodles are not ejected from the car or come flying forward.  I just found this setup to be much more superior than the what I was using before.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh Spud is so handsome!!!  He looks SO happy with his new seat belt too!

I can't find the video on the facebook page but from looking at the pictures (especially the profile pic), it almost just looks like a harness and leash to me.  I've been putting off getting a seat belt but now looking at that picture what would be the difference between a seat belt and just tying their leash to the seat belt?  Sorry if it's a stupid question...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Allyson,

I just sent Dawn an email and asked her to join DK  She has a Lab and Sheltie mix. I think we will make them honorary doodles~ right  :)

So many of us have unique situations. I am sure she can help all 11.000 of us.    You have a very new and interesting situation.  We are going to get your's solved too.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My problem is now I have a carseat in the back - how can I keep both dogs safe? Without buying a suv with a 3rd row???

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Lucy and Sophies Mom  Here is a link that shows you more information about the one we are using. 

http://www.petautosafety.com/page/bergan-dog-safety-car-harness

Camilla, as of now, there are no official safety tests for dogs.... that I know of.  Here is what Dawn wrote me in an email.

........The large Bergan harness has been tested to hold up to 2,500 pounds of force. And the best part is that Bergan is constantly looking for ways to improve their product. So are the other three companies I mentioned. As more people demand safety for their dogs and voice their opinions about shoddy products, the more intent these companies will be about safety testing. So don't be too hard on yourself. You were trying to do the right thing by making people aware.