Do you use a car harness?

[Deborah Brown]

I had tried one years ago with Charlie but he got all tangled up in it and I gave up.  My puppy, Penny, is somewhat of a menace in the car so I decided she really needed to be secured.

I purchased the Kurgo harness and thought I had it sized properly for her. She got in the car, was tethered and we took off for a 20 minute ride to her agility class. I was impressed that she seemed rather quiet and subdued. YAY! It's really working wonders! Well, when we arrived I found out that she had chewed through one of the chest straps. All that quiet time was because she was busy destroying the harness. 

So now I have to decide if I want to try again. Maybe if the chest straps were tighter against her body, she wouldn't have been able to get hold of it? Any ideas? This is what she was wearing: 

 

http://www.kurgostore.com/dog-harnesses/enhanced-strength-tru-fit-s...

[Breanna]

I don't use one but I think about it every time I'm driving. She does great in car rides but I would hate for her to fall off the seat or dart from the car in an accident. I don't know how well she would do being secured so I haven't decided what I'm going with yet. 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

There is some recent information on car harnesses posted on DK.

Look towards the end of the discussion for the link to the testing information.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/new-testing-for-pet-seatbe...

[Deborah Brown]

Thanks for the link!  I'll review the safety tests.

Back with more questions... I'm not so worried about the cost but wonder about other people's experience.  No point in buying one that will get chewed up in minutes.  What do you think are the heavy duty ones?

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

all that quiet time was because she chewed through the strap...sorry but that made me laugh out loud.  I am sure you don't think it's funny at all, but it is so doodle.  My guy did it with his easy walker while we were out for a stroll, with me thinking how nicely he was walking.  yes, because he was busy chewing.  btw-that company sent a replacement for a nominal price, so see if you can get a deal.  I just had to take a picture of it and they sent another.

We use a clip that attaches to our seat belts and his easy walker.  not the greatest, but keeps him in the seat.  there have been many discussions here about restraints and I think the conclusion/consensus has been that there is no really good solution.  better something than nothing is my feeling.  

[Deborah Brown]

Oh, I think it is pretty funny too.  ;)   She is a rascal and I should have been prepared for this.  I never leave a leash on her in the car because I know she will chew it to bits.  She also tries to chew her brothers' leashes.  

[Sue & Lily Grace]

We use the Ruff Rider Roadie. Lily Grace loves the car and along with a hammock and her seat belt she is happy and comfortable. The picture is of her riding over the George Washington Bridge in NY city after two very long days traveling from South Florida. No stress and very comfortable.

[Deborah Brown]

Cute picture but I bet Penny could chew through that one!  The Sleepypod Clickit looks like it might hold up to her teeth.

[BG and Gavin]

It is like you are psychic!  I was just about to post my semi-annual rant on the importance of strapping your dogs in the car.  This was just posted on my FB page:

 

We have a problem there was a car accident at Pine River several cars involved .We have a dog small female Lab cross black in colour has taken off from the accident. Can all locals please keep a eye out .Dog could be injured.Please contact myself or animal control 

 I hope you are able to find something that works for your dogs.  Perhaps she will have to wear a soft muzzle until she is through the chewing phase.

[BG and Gavin]

In case anyone was wondering, this dog was finally captured this morning and is off the to vet to be checked.  So relieved! 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

good news-hope no injuries!

[Sally S Miles]

This is such an issue, at our house at least - we have a power chewer and on top of that she falls between sizes. Long neck and barrel chest -  I'm worried about her chewing through the thing also - never mind the upholstery in the car. She rides well, but a bone of contention here is that I am still having her ride in a crate and it takes up gobs of room.  I'm about to cave in and just give her the backseat! 

I'm not only concerned about her being loose, but also being hurt in case of airbag deploy - what a worry wart! That's me and I'm stumped until somebody builds a better mousetrap - I'm going to try the new fancy "Click It" harness and will post results. 

The emergency crews are constantly having to round up dogs - those unrestrained, those riding in owners lap (while driving) that get tossed across three lanes of traffic after hanging out an open window, and never mind those that are untrained for strangers.   So I still crate because I feel it safer, a pain in the tush, but safer. 

[Deborah Brown]

Penny has also chewed the armrests in the backseat but I'm living with that.  I don't think a crate would work for us since I have three dogs and a regular passenger car.  We've discussed buying a "dog car" but I've been reluctant to take that step.  We decided that when/if we take a longer trip, we'd rent a minivan or suv to hold crates.