When you whistle to man’s best friend with an invitation to go for a ride, don’t just let the dog climb into the car and sit unrestrained during the outing. That’s asking for disaster in the event of a crash, propelling the animal and causing potential serious or fatal injury.
Pet safety experts say the best protection is to place your canine pet in a dog crate of sufficient proportions to accommodate his height and weight. But suppose your car isn’t large enough to fit a crate? What do you do then?
If you can’t fit a crate in your vehicle, it’s time to start shopping for a dog car harness and a dog seat belt. Here’s what you need to know about traveling safety with your dog.
Dog car harness vs. seat belt
If a crate is not practical or possible, the second-best way to properly restrain a dog in a vehicle is with a dog seat belt and car harness, often just called a dog car harness. Most dog harnesses are multi-purpose, meaning that the dog’s leash can be clipped on for walks, or, for our purposes, a special dog car seat belt. Simply tucking your dog into the car’s regular seat belt is not safe for your pet or the other occupants of your car. Bottom line: Protecting your dog in the car means buying the right dog seat belt and dog car harness – and using it every time Fido accompanies you in the car. Keep in mind, too, that this is only part of the checklist to travel with a dog.
Tips on buying the right dog seat belt and harness
Buy the right size harness. Critically important is the necessity to purchase the dog car harness that’s sized to fit your animal. The sizes generally range from extra small (31-36 inches in height) to large (53-60 inches), with some variations between manufacturers.
Check safety ratings. The Center For Pet Safety has established a test protocol and safety standards for some pet safety products, including travel accessories. It is voluntary for a manufacturer of pet products to participate in the program, but these ratings can give you greater insight on worthwhile and quality products for crash test dog harness safety.
Acclimate your dog to the harness. Like conditioning a pet to a carrier or crate, getting a dog used to wearing a harness in the car takes some practice, for both the dog and pet owner. Don’t just slide the harness on and secure the dog to the seat. Allow Fido to become used to it first. A few pets and a doggy chew or treat may help speed this process.
The best dog car harness and the best dog seat belt will fit properly. Ensure the harness is snug, but not too tight.
Know that choosing the right pet friendly accessories is an ongoing process. Change the harness size as the dog grows. A puppy needs a smaller-size harness than a more mature dog, so be prepared to change harnesses as your pet grows. This is similar to what parents do when purchasing infant car seats, then move to toddler and convertible or booster seats as the child grows.
How to secure a dog seat belt or harness
Once your dog is accustomed to wearing a quality, properly-fitting harness, it’s time to incorporate your new safety practices into your car travel. You’ll need a dog safety belt that’s compatible with your dog’s harness. The American Kennel Club recommends finding a belt with thick, padded straps to help absorb impact. Since there are a few different designs for dog safety harnesses and safety belts, it’s important to follow the instructions provided with your gear to ensure accurate and safe installation — not unlike installing a child safety seat in a car. The key points to remember are that the dog should always be restrained at the back, not at the neck, and that the dog should have enough room to sit or lie down on the car’s back seat.
Never allow your dog to ride in your lap, which can impair your vision and impede your ability to control your vehicle. Furthermore, if you’re involved in a collision, you and your pet are at greater risk of injury. Your dog also should not ride in the front passenger seat, since there is risk of injury from airbags. However, if this is unavoidable, like in a car with only two seats, it’s extra important to make sure the dog is properly restrained in the front seat.
![Dogs in the car [photo by John d'Addario]](https://images.hgmsites.net/med/dogs-in-the-car-photo-by-john-daddario_100358149_m.jpg "Dogs in the car [photo by John d'Addario]")
Dogs in the car [photo by John d’Addario]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put the seat belt through the dog harness?
No. Do not loop a car’s seat belts through a dog’s harness, and do not loop a dog’s safety belt through the harness. Follow the instructions, which generally will advise clipping a carabiner on the dog seat belt to a ring at the back of the dog’s harness.
Do dog seat belts go on collars or harnesses?
Dog seat belts should always go on a dog’s harness, and should never go on a dog’s collar. In the event of a collision or emergency, the dog can be seriously injured by impact on its neck. Dogs should always be restrained in a vehicle by the back, not the neck.
How do you secure a pet carrier with a seat belt?
Most pet carriers and crates are designed to be restrained within a car. However, with so many different brands and designs on the market, there’s no one way to secure a pet carrier with a seatbelt. Some carriers have loops to slip the car’s seat belt through, to hold the carrier in place on the seat, while other carriers may come with their own belts or attachments to secure to the car’s hardware or anchoring points.
What harness can a dog not escape from?
Several brands advertise their dog harnesses as being escape-proof. Designs marketed as escape-proof tend to have heavily padded straps that cross the dog’s chest, making it more difficult for a dog to wiggle out, and plenty of adjustments, so it can be snug without being uncomfortably or dangerously tight.