Does Your Dog Need a Seatbelt in the Car?
Most of us have seen an adorable dog with its head out the window or at least plastered to the window staring longingly outside with its breath fogging up the glass. Many dog parents let their dogs roam free inside the car on road trips and while some are very well-behaved and can lay quietly in the backseat not causing any trouble, the dog’s behavior is not the issue - it’s a safety problem.
If heaven forbid there is an accident, physics will not differentiate between a good dog and one that is frantic in the cabin. There is a good chance your dog will get injured. So, what’s a responsible pet parent to do?
What is a Dog Seatbelt? It Just Looks Like a Harness
When we think of a seatbelt, we think of a strap that goes over the body to lock us in. A dog seatbelt (or dog car harness) is different, and it really looks just like a harness. The difference is this harness is meant to work with human seatbelts to secure your dog in place on the road.
We know what you may be thinking. If the purpose of a dog car harness (which can be quite expensive) is just so you can hook the seatbelt through to lock your canine in place, why can’t you do it with the regular harness?
The safety aspect just isn’t the same. Dog seatbelts are designed for restraint and safety. They are much heavier duty than the regular mesh harnesses you can find at PetSmart. Dog seatbelts are padded, made with very durable material, and should be form-fitting. The obvious purpose of a dog seatbelt is to keep your fur baby from going flying when you hit the brakes - but there’s more.
Why Your Dog Needs a Seatbelt
Dogs are curious creatures and love to explore. Watching the scenery go by is enough to activate their inner adventurer and it may be enough to get them to leap through the open window or at least hang their head outside.
Having your dog has its head out the window poses another danger. You never know what can fly up from the tires of the car in front of you, or what sort of debris is floating around. Even if you keep the window shut, a loose dog in the cabin of your car can cause havoc and distract you from the road.
The best thing you can do for your dog and all the passengers within the vehicle is to keep it secure.
Benefits of Dog Seatbelts
Distraction-free driving
Keeps your dog safer during accidents
Prevents your dog from getting injured with open windows
No chance of jumping out of windows
How Do I Find the Best Seatbelt for My Dog?
Although dog seatbelts are very much a safety necessity, it’s still a relatively new thing. There are not yet any standard regulations for dog seatbelts like there are for human seatbelts. The best way to find a good seatbelt is by looking at the reviews online and doing your due diligence.
Don’t just take customers’ and the company’s word for it, look at the credentials. What types of testing did they do? What materials and manufacturing techniques went into the harness? These are all questions you should consider when on your search for the best dog seatbelt.
An Example of Top Dog Seatbelts
At the moment, there aren’t a lot of top picks, but Sleepypod is the brand that has been crash tested by third parties to have the strength and durability to meet the Center for Pet Safety’s (CPS) standards.
We personally own the Sleepypod Terran Dog Harness so we can give you first-hand experience and testimony. It is much stiffer than a regular harness and feels very robust. To be completely honest, it may not be the most comfortable option for your dog even though it can double as an everyday harness, but we would take safety over comfort any day of the week.
We aren’t saying that these dog seatbelts aren’t comfortable because it is still adequately padded. It was a little difficult to adjust the straps, but this is a good thing because it further supports security - you don’t want your dog to maneuver out of it easily.
You should also be aware that Sleepypod, in particular, is quite costly (a little less than $130 at the time of writing). But we remind our pet parents again that dog safety is priceless!
What About Other Car Accessories for Dogs?
Okay, many of you may agree that does need to be secure and safe in a moving vehicle, but there are many other accessories that claim to do the job. So, how would we rate them?
Pet Car Seats
Dog car seats can give your pooch a bit more freedom. They look like a carrier or booster seat with many containing a leash clip or something of the like to keep your dog inside. If you have a very well-behaved dog, it may love staying within the seat, but it’s worth it to note that pet car seats do very little to keep your dog safe in the case of an accident.
Dog Crates
There are also dog crates designed for travel. Yes, dogs definitely need crates when traveling by air (check out guidelines on DogNerdz) but you can also find ones for everyday car rides. Dog crates are more suited for larger breeds, are very strong, and are outfitted with reinforcements for extra safety. These travel crates can also be very costly, so keep that in mind.
How to Get Your Fur Baby Used to a Dog Seatbelt
If your dog has been free to roam in the cabin, there is a very good chance it won’t enjoy the new restraints. So, what can you do to get your dog to accept the new accessory? You’ll find that car harness training brings you back to when your dog was a pup and you were starting to leash train.
If your dog already has a walking harness, then it won’t be too difficult to get it to put on the dog seatbelt. The hard part would be for your pooch to accept being secured in one place during the ride.
We would suggest starting off small, with plenty of positive encouragement in the form of treats! Put on the harness, and maybe take your dog for a walk with it before you try securing it in the car.
Once you’ve gotten your dog clipped in, take a quick ride (maybe around 5 min) and then gradually increase the length of time from there once your dog seems settled. Remember to shower your pooch with compliments and treats at the end of each ride!
Safest Place for Your Dog in the Car
Stop for quick breaks during a long road trip! We’re pretty sure you’d enjoy stretching your legs as well! The safest place for your dog is in the backseat. We’d still suggest paying attention to the manufacturer’s suggestions, but most car dog accessories are recommended for the backseat.
The items go by the same logic we have in place for human children. Kids are not recommended in the front seat until they reach a certain age (for height regulations) because the airbag can cause serious injury - and the same goes for dogs. So, the safest place for your pooch in the car is in the backseat!
Extra Safety Tips
What else can a determined pet parent do (or not do) to keep their dog safe in the car?
Here is a quick checklist for you:
No small items as they pose a choking hazard
Never leave your dog in the car
Keep all windows locked
Your dog should only be in the backseat, never in your lap
Conclusion
We get that you want to keep your dog with you wherever you go, after all, they are beloved members of our family! The only thing we would remind our pet parents of is to keep their dogs safe. The best way to do this is with a dog seatbelt! Yes, it could take some time for your dog to accept being confined to one spot, but a little bit of discomfort is well worth it for safety!