Dog Car Seat or Harness

jenfrogmom · Feb 26, 2013

We finally pulled the trigger and are getting our first dog. Can anyone help me with what I should get for the dog in the vehicle? Or should he ride in a crate in the back? I don't know a great deal about dogs so, please help! LOL!! He is a rather large dog. Blue Tick Coon Hound / Lab mix! <3

Brianna · Feb 26, 2013

What do you drive?

jenfrogmom · Feb 26, 2013

Toyota Sienna and dodge ram 1500 quad cab.

oddduck · Feb 26, 2013

Jumping in here too. Very interested in recommended harnesses for dog. We have a 4-5mo old lab (nearly 40lbs). She has been riding in the crate in our 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, but has pretty well outgrown it.

MomToEliEm · Feb 26, 2013

After seeing this study on dog harnesses (http://centerforpetsafety.org/research/), I think I would primarily use a secured crate in the back of the vehicle instead of a dog harness.

Dorothy · Feb 26, 2013

When I asked this question a while back, soft crating on the floor behind the front seats (although, that obviously works best for puppies, small dogs and cats). A big dog in a dog box in the back (anchored down) would also be an option. Harnesses were Bergen (sp?) and Petbuckle.

There are many others who know a lot more about it, and I'm sure they'll chime in!

gsdguenter · Feb 26, 2013

My dogs are always crated. The crates are tied down. But, for me, it's not just a car safety thing, but a logistics thing.

Irishmama · Feb 26, 2013

Is there a concern with crates coming apart and being projectiles in a crash? I have avoided the add-on barriers for this reason, and are currently using a Bergan. I don't think a crate would fit behind our third row anyways, I was just curious.

Wreckgoddess · Feb 27, 2013

I wonder about this too, I have a beagle (a fat one!) and I drive a four door car. My previous vehicle was a small SUV, and so I used to just put his crate in the back. It worked great.
But now, I have literally no where to stash a crate. My son's carseat is in the middle of the back seat and I couldn't even get a crate in my front seat or in the backseat next to him even if his carseat was outboard.
I think in my case because my car is so small, a harness may be my only option?
I drive a 2009 Chevy Impala. And have a medium sized large plastic crate that doesn't even fit through the door opening. Sigh.

monstah · Feb 27, 2013

All of my "research" revolved around my 35-40 pound Basset / Hound mutt. I might make different choices for different sized dogs.

IMO, the dog restraint is to protect my family, not the dog. I don't want him in a crate crashing into the back of a seat one of my kids is in or flying left to right if in their row in a harness.

My concerns:
- Standard crates and a vast majority of harness's will not withstand moderate crash forces. (I haven't found an in-store crate that I couldn't kick the side or door in if I wanted to.)
- Dog/crate or dog in a failed harness the impact into an occupied seat back could be devastating for the occupant.
- At least one harness in that study may lead to a horrible death for the dog.
- Gates that are designed to separate the way back from the back seat (like Subaru) are not going to withstand crash forces unless maybe they are bolted in and not pressure mounted.

With all of this in mind, I decide to use a Bergan for my dog in the front seat. It's connected to the seat belt where the lap belt anchors to the floor. That should hopefully keep him contained to the front passenger seat. I hope the airbag sensor works but we don't have a place in the back that doesn't put my kids at risk.

If DH is with us, the dog rides on the floor between my legs or on my lap. Sometimes I connect his harness to a seat leg, depending on the drive.

If I could fit all three kids into my second row, then behind the third row would be my first choice for him.

All that said, we recently took in a 100 pound Bernese. There really isn't a good way to transport him and the kids. He has some health problems so he doesn't go places with us. I just schedule his vet visits for when the older two are in school and drive extra alert.

ETA: I've shared this pic here before (it's old) but it shows the harness and where I connect it to the seat belt.

Keeanh · Feb 27, 2013

I generally like to have the dogs in crates in the trunk. With vans, I'm not worried about the crate breaking and something managing to find its way over the back seat. I have also had dogs on the floor between the front seats with a harness. I LOVE dogs, but I'm also of the mindset that they're "just dogs". I'm prepared for the fact that in a serious collision, the dog will likely need to be put down no matter where they're riding, and focus more on protecting human occupants from an unrestrained dog.

bubbaray · Feb 27, 2013

Our dog (85lb lab) rides in a crate

Lenae · Feb 27, 2013

Keeanh said:
I generally like to have the dogs in crates in the trunk. With vans, I'm not worried about the crate breaking and something managing to find its way over the back seat. I have also had dogs on the floor between the front seats with a harness. I LOVE dogs, but I'm also of the mindset that they're "just dogs". I'm prepared for the fact that in a serious collision, the dog will likely need to be put down no matter where they're riding, and focus more on protecting human occupants from an unrestrained dog.

I'm of the same mindset. We love out Beagle, he's a great dog. But people come first. Scout rides in a crate up against the back seat in DH's Jeep, and DH recently added cargo tie downs. I don't know if it will actually help, but that's what he did. In my car, the dog is tethered on a short lead in the footwell behind Sassy's RF seat.

BananaBoat · Feb 27, 2013

Our 25 pound Corgi is always crated in the way back of our SUV. Occasionally the crate will fit behind the drivers seat footwell. It's a soft sided crate & we use bungee cords to secure it. It's ok. He is rarely in the car - maybe a dozen times a year if that - and we don't go far with him these days. I'm not terribly concerned. My very good friend was in a roll over with her 50 pound terrier unrestrained and they were both totally fine. Not sure how, but I've seen them (& the totaled car) since.

monstah · Feb 27, 2013

I forgot to say congrats on your first dog!!

Are you rescuing him from a shelter?

Irishmama · Mar 1, 2013

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I appreciate all the input.

I do something similar to monstah with the Bergan, and it seems like it's the best option. My goal is the same, to keep the people in the car from being hit with an 85 lb projectile. I love our dog but I know the harness isn't to keep him from being hurt, but more to keep him from hurting others in a crash, and to keep him contained so first responders can do their job.

OP, congrats on the new family member!

monstah · Mar 1, 2013

MomToEliEm said:
After seeing this study on dog harnesses (http://centerforpetsafety.org/research/), I think I would primarily use a secured crate in the back of the vehicle instead of a dog harness.

One thing to note is that there are crash tests on YouTube that show standard crates do almost nothing in a crash, breaking open.
I just quickly searched YouTube but couldn't find the comparisons I watched months ago. I have to run or I'd keep looking.
There are good crash tested crates available like the Variocage but they are $$$.

jenfrogmom · Mar 1, 2013

monstah said:
I forgot to say congrats on your first dog!! Are you rescuing him from a shelter?

Yes we are rescuing him. We are so exited!! We get him today!

monstah · Mar 1, 2013

jenfrogmom said:
Yes we are rescuing him. We are so exited!! We get him today!

That's awesome! Another life saved!! Can't wait to see pics!

jenfrogmom · Mar 2, 2013

He is here!

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