Better than the PetBuckle (review/comparison)

[Cryssy Jane]

Win! Fits both dogs really well and super easy to put on. I'll have to order a second now.

First pix Buda 11 inch chest approx 65lbs. He's not a harness fan at all but tolerated this well.

Second pix Zena 13.5 inch chest approx 70lbs.

The pet buckle usually rubs at the armpits and pulls buda's longer hair.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org

 

[mellysue]

We have 2 labs, one about 55 lbs and one about 75-80lbs. They usually ride in the back cargo area of our Dodge Caravan. We have a dog gate up. Are those not recommended? I don't really want the pooches in front of the vehicle. Would the Bergen be recommended while in the cargo area?

 

[courtfrog2]

Are these recommended for really small puppies? Snickers rides everywhere with us. He's 5.17lbs now and probably will grow to about 7-10lbs. He's a big ball of fur.

What would you recommend?

 

[Pixels]

We have 2 labs, one about 55 lbs and one about 75-80lbs. They usually ride in the back cargo area of our Dodge Caravan. We have a dog gate up. Are those not recommended? I don't really want the pooches in front of the vehicle. Would the Bergen be recommended while in the cargo area?

Those gates are usually pressure mounted, and in a crash can come flying out and become another projectile. For everyday riding around, they keep the dogs contained in the back and away from the driver, so that's good. Unrestrained dogs often cause crashes by interfering with and distracting the driver.

 

[Judi]

Are these recommended for really small puppies? Snickers rides everywhere with us. He's 5.17lbs now and probably will grow to about 7-10lbs. He's a big ball of fur.

What would you recommend?

The small is 10-25 lbs. I woul try that one. I hear the Pet Buckle doesn't do well on small dogs. Or, get a crate and use tie downs.

 

[MoonRocket]

I also prefer my dog in the cargo area- do you think the tether would work on one of the tiedowns- they are just like a the Dring you have.

 

[Judi]

She is using a spot where the vehicle seat attaches. We know those will take the force. We don't know about the tie downs.

 

[The Preventive Vet]

The Bergan works great in the cargo area too, if you've got the latch anchor on the back of the seat.

 

[The Preventive Vet]

Please be careful tethering dogs by their collars in pickup truck beds. Many a dog has been strangled and hung this way when they jump or get thrown from the bed. Best way to secure dogs in truck beds is in a crate that is bolted to the truck bed floor. Second best is with a sturdy harness (like the Bergan) which is tethered to two separate and opposite points in the bed. It's also a good idea to give them a secure piece of carpeting or something to provide them with secure footing and protect them from the heat of the truck bed floor. And speaking about heat, be careful on sunny days and be sure to provide them with shelter to avoid heat stroke.

 

[Judi]

Thanks! So glad you are posted here now!

 

[Cryssy Jane]

So I went for a ride with Zena and used the bergan today and she had no complaints. Woohoo. However, she doesn't like sitting in the vehicle seat and otherwise doesn't (usually rides behind the passenger seat in front of the second row on the floor or behind the second row on the floor), and the tether wasn't long enough using the seatbelt method for her to get to her spot.

Judi, do you think it'd be ok to use a car seat d-ring to tether to, or because we don't know their weight restrictions would it be better to order the petbuckle d ring kit? Typically both dogs ride in the back with the third row folded down so it'd be easy to tether to the second row, but there isn't really accessible seat belts right there.

 

[WhatAboutPuppy]

I know you asked Judi but I use the petbuckle d-ring for your exact reasoning.
ETA: I am going to go get a pic of my tie-downs vs. the vehicle seat mount. I use the vehicle seat mount to attach K's d-ring too not the Tie-downs in the cargo area. There is a huge difference in durability here (in my vehicle at least).

 

[bubbaray]

Best way to secure dogs in truck beds is in a crate that is bolted to the truck bed floor.

Can we talk about crating? (mods, please feel free to move to a separate thread).

Our 11 yo lab rides mostly in my DH's truck in an aircraft-approved crate. The crate is *not* bolted to the truck, but is strapped to the truck bed tie-downs (so similar anchorage to a pet seatbelt setup). Our dog FREAKS if you harness him (even a regular walking harness). We think it is due to arthritis? Not sure. He also has various lipomas that a harness might hurt, we're not entirely sure. Anyway, a harness is not an option for this dog.

My husband will be entirely unwilling to bolt the crate to the truck bed because he uses the truck bed for other things, not just transporting the dog.

Transporting the dog in my SUV is not an option anymore because (1) the crate d/n fit and (2) the dog can no longer jump up into the SUV (he uses a ramp to get into DH's truck, but the ramp d/n fit into my SUV, so I have no way of getting the dog in/out of my SUV at the destination).

I'm familiar with the videos from Europe re dog crates. The crate we are using is a heavy duty airline crate. The crate is not used inside the cab of the truck (for obvious reasons).

Any thoughts would be appreciated! Dear Dog doesn't get out much anymore due to his inability to jump/walk far, so trips are either on long road trips with us or to the vet.

 

[Pixels]

Can we talk about crating? (mods, please feel free to move to a separate thread).

Our 11 yo lab rides mostly in my DH's truck in an aircraft-approved crate. The crate is *not* bolted to the truck, but is strapped to the truck bed tie-downs (so similar anchorage to a pet seatbelt setup). Our dog FREAKS if you harness him (even a regular walking harness). We think it is due to arthritis? Not sure. He also has various lipomas that a harness might hurt, we're not entirely sure. Anyway, a harness is not an option for this dog.

My husband will be entirely unwilling to bolt the crate to the truck bed because he uses the truck bed for other things, not just transporting the dog.

Transporting the dog in my SUV is not an option anymore because (1) the crate d/n fit and (2) the dog can no longer jump up into the SUV (he uses a ramp to get into DH's truck, but the ramp d/n fit into my SUV, so I have no way of getting the dog in/out of my SUV at the destination).

I'm familiar with the videos from Europe re dog crates. The crate we are using is a heavy duty airline crate. The crate is not used inside the cab of the truck (for obvious reasons).

Any thoughts would be appreciated! Dear Dog doesn't get out much anymore due to his inability to jump/walk far, so trips are either on long road trips with us or to the vet.

Move the crate as far forward in the bed of the truck as possible. That way, the crate and the dog (once thrown against the crate) will be supported by the walls of the truck. Other than maybe that, your setup sounds pretty good.

 

[bubbaray]

Move the crate as far forward in the bed of the truck as possible. That way, the crate and the dog (once thrown against the crate) will be supported by the walls of the truck. Other than maybe that, your setup sounds pretty good.

Thanks, yeah, the crate is strapped into the front passenger side corner of the bed.

 

[Syllieann]

I just bought one of these after seeing this thread. I have been looking for something of this nature since we recently had to rearrange seating positions and the dog can no longer sit forward of the kids. Thanks! It's great and will solve a number of issues we have when travelling. Was wondering though, is it ok to use this in the front passenger seat? The dog is 60# and she makes the air bag turn off. It is sometimes handy to have her in the front seat so i can have my 3rd row down w/ cargo.

 

[Pixels]

Restraining a pet is primarily about making sure the pet is not a risk to the human passengers. An unsecured pet is a projectile hazard, and can run out into traffic after a crash (risking yet another crash as others try to avoid him), and can delay first responders because an animal who has just been in a crash can be very defensive of its people. Restraining a pet is not so much about the pet's safety as the safety of everyone else.

So having your pet in the front seat, if that's the best location for you, sure. My dog has to ride in the front seat because all other seating positions in my vehicle are full. The alternative is the trunk.

 

[mellysue]

Those gates are usually pressure mounted, and in a crash can come flying out and become another projectile. For everyday riding around, they keep the dogs contained in the back and away from the driver, so that's good. Unrestrained dogs often cause crashes by interfering with and distracting the driver.

Thank you. We don't take the dogs with us very often. Just to the vet or sometimes to a park in town.

 

[Judi]

If there is any possibility that the air bag may go off, I would not use the front seat.

 

[Irishmama]

The XL I ordered for our 80 lb. Lab came today and I'm thrilled! The fit is fantastic and he didn't mind it at all and seemed very comfy. Thanks guys!