Car Safety

[Stacy]

I know we've talked about this before, but I'm trying to figure out how to restrain the dogs for the car ride on vacation. I've read too many horror stories on facebook recently about dogs being ejected from the car, or getting loose during crashes. 

I've been using the Kurgo car harness. It has the attachment that buckles into the seat belt. It seems to work well for Katie. But Maggie is so tall, it doesn't extend long enough for her to sit up well. And then she stepped on the seat belt release and free'd herself. 

More recently I laid the seats down in the Forester and let them have the whole back. The latch system attaches to the back of the seat - let me know if it doesn't make sense, I can take pictures. So when I lay the seats down the latch system is on the floor. I can attach a carabiner to that and then attach them with a leash to the car. But they have a lot of slack to move around back there. I feel like we're okay when we're just in town, but it makes me a little nervous when we're planning to spend 3 -4 hours on the highway. 

The Sleepypod clickit is supposed to be the safest harness (but they're kind of expensive, and that's why I'm asking before I buy.) From what I can tell the seatbelt goes through the loops on the back of the harness and then buckles normally. But they will be very limited in movement. There is this attachment called the Sleepypod s clip that locks the seatbelt out so they would have more slack. But they would have to sit next to each other for the whole trip, and wouldn't have as much room to spread out. Has anyone used this system?

I don't think there is any way to get a Maggie-sized and a Katie-sized crate in the back at the same time. And Maggie hates her crate anyway, so that's kind of out. 

I know, I'm a worrier! I would love your thoughts.

Thanks! Stacy

[Amy and Annabelle]

It's pricey but maybe something like this especially if you're going on trips every year.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZ0N3HQ/ref=asc_df_B00LZ0NITO5482529/?...

[Stacy]

This looks like such a safe option! Kind of out of my budget right now though. And the real issue is that Maggie thinks that crates are only for other dogs. But it's definitely something to keep in mind for the future, if she ever changes her mind about the crate.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wonder if you could get a longer strap for the Kurgo attachment. It seems to me I've seen them sold online, it has a loop that the seat belt goes through with a carabiner on the end that attaches to the dog's harness. 
I have a Kurgo harness with a strap like that for Jasper. It slides higher or lower on the seatbelt to accomodate them sitting up or lying down. This one, and it shows a large dog sitting up wearing it. 
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/kurgo-black-tru-fi...

[Stacy]

You are a genius! I just looked at the Kurgo harness, and there's a loop on the back that the seat belt will fit through. I overlooked it because there is a metal clip on the bottom that a carabiner fits into. But if I just get the locking clip for the seatbelt so the seatbelt doesn't pull them quite so tight I think it will be perfect. That's a 30 dollar solution instead of a 170 dollar solution! This is why I'm forever asking for help here! Thank you! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, you're welcome. I know how frustrating it can be to try to find something when you only have pictures online. :)

[Stacy]

It really is! And we have pet supply stores all over the place and it seems like none of them actually carry the stuff I want. I don't hate Petsmart, but their toy selection is horrible. My girls kill most of the junk we buy there in 10 minutes. And the good stuff, like the toys from Westpaw, they don't carry. I can order it, but sometimes I just want to touch it first. And Maggie needs a lifejacket, but most of the stuff I can find is junk, so I have to measure her and hope for the best. I think we're going to try out Pet Supplies Plus today and see if they have better products than Petsmart and Petco. 

I have this idea for a drop in dog training facility, kind of like a yoga studio. Where there are different classes on different days and you don't have to make a commitment to 6 Tuesdays in a row. It's really hard to make my work schedule do that. I would also sell the really high quality dog supplies. I'm not a business person or a dog trainer, so I'm sure the idea will just stay in my head, but if someone else could make it work I think it could be a really amazing project.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Re the drop in classes where you don't have to make a commitment, as a former personal trainer I can tell you that you will lose your home trying that, lol. 

[Stacy]

I know you're right - but in my head it seems like such a great idea! I love group classes. I wish I could go to a class on whatever night I was off that particular week.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you found a trainer that gave classes on multiple evenings, you might be able to make an arrangement where you could drop in at any of the classes held that week?

[Stacy]

That really would be the perfect solution, but I haven't found that training group yet. It seems like around here the big thing is the private in your home dog training. Everyone is doing it. I like group training. It's not as expensive, they usually have a better space, and my dog gets some real world distractions instead of just working in my living room. 

I would like to give a trainer these ideas so that they could start these classes (preferably close to my house) and it would be convenient for me!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Again, I have to point out that people who get paid by the appointment/class/training session (and do not get paid at all if there is no class, training session, etc., in other words, those of us who don't get salaries, sick days, vacation days, pensions, and so on)) HAVE to have people signed up and committed beforehand, and know that they have X number of clients/classes this week, next week, and so on. 

[Stacy]

I found the business model! 

http://www.muttschool-ks.com

CAN’T ATTEND EVERY WEEK?: With MuttSchool’s flexible group classes you are purchasing credits that you redeem to take a class. If you need to miss a week–no problem. Just don’t schedule yourself for that class and use your credit to select a class you can attend. For levels 1 and 2, you will receive 5 credits to use within 10 weeks of purchase. With levels 3-5, you will have 10 credits to use within 15 weeks of the start of that level.

That would be perfect for my schedule! Someone needs to do that around here. Unfortunately even though it's in Kansas it's like 2 hours away, but I would absolutely utilize that if it was closer. Those people are also a Karen Pryor training partner, so I think their training would be in line with my training style. Clicker training for the win!