Car Safety

[bustermom]

Every living creature in the car should be belted in - no ifs, ands or buts. If you've ever been in a car accident, even one under 15mph, you'll understand why. If it's not attached to the car it keeps moving when the car slams to a halt. And that means you've got a 50-70lb furry missile launched at the back of your head, the windshield, or whatever that is still moving at the speed you were going before stopping. Picture your boxer bowling you over in the backyard and ramp that up 10 times... serious OUCH!! for everyone.

Many years ago I was in a car accident with my chihuahua who wasn't restrained in any way ("he's tiny, he stays in his seat, why would he need a seatbelt?"). I went out and bought him a seatbelt while he was recovering from his nearly fatal injuries at the animal hospital. Lesson learned the hard way! My furry kids use Ruffrider Roadie harnesses as they're rated to be the safest and as far as I'm concerned that's the whole reason to use them. They can sit and lay down on the seat and don't mind wearing them at all. Here's a picture of Buster from when he was a pup chilling in the car:

http://www.boxerworld.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/11922/sort/1/cat/500/page/2

And here are some worthwhile threads on car safety:

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59667&highlight=seatbelt

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23402&highlight=car*+harness+seatbelt

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36920&highlight=car*+harness+seatbelt

(Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now! Gosh, I haven't posted in ages but this is one of those things that is just so important I can't help myself... :rolleyes: )

 

[samsonite]

Thanks for a good recommendation Bustermom! I'm lucky as far as driving goes that Samson is good in the car, but I have been in accidents and I hate to think of my baby flying around. Thanks again.

 

[manna81]

thanks

Thank you all I would hate to get in a wreck. thank you for all the input i will find away for all my dogs to be safe. THANKS!!!!!!

 

[Lmuglia]

Gloria/BusterMom - first of all, let me say your baby is gorgeous! Can you tell me where you bought that specific seatbelt?

 

[bustermom]

Gloria/BusterMom - first of all, let me say your baby is gorgeous! Can you tell me where you bought that specific seatbelt?

Buster says "thank you for the compliment!" (Maggie is rolling her eyes knowing that it's going to go right to his head and there'll be no living with him for the next few days...)

I got the ones for my furkids at a local pet specialty store. You can order them online or find a local retailer at:

www.ruffrider.com

 

[gracie&cam]

Gloria- I love your picture in action too--the seatbelt website should use your puppy as an example!!! Our puppy was just born and so it'll be a few months before we get to bring her home but I plan on using that same seatbelt. If I put one on everytime I get in the car (and I do!!) then why not the same for the pups? And the argument about projectiles causing harm is completely true (I had a friend die in a tragic accident that in itself was not life-threatening when he was hit in the back of the head with a television he was transporting). Anyway, I'll become a super advocate too (once we use it in action!). Good thread....

 

[Elvis'smom]

Call us crazy, but Elvis uses the regular seatbelt and it somehow worked well. He sits sideways and the bottom of the belt goes across hind legs and the top part goes right across his chest!! He is a good height too, so it fits well. It is rather funny. I have come to a stop suddenly once and it kept him in his seat. He never sat still in the car until I put the belt on him. I will have to post a picture sometime!
Good luck
Jana and Elvis

 

[perrybl]

thanks!

this is a wonderful thread! i've been looking into these, but hadn't actually met anyone who had tried one. now i know, and will try immediately! what would you all think about using these for a normal harness for walking around the block purposes? can't you hook these up to a leash?

 

[Mom2tyson]

I read in an earlier post about people putting there dogs in the bed of thier truck and I have to tell you what I saw on the show emergency vets on animal planet. They had a dog who was leashed to the back of thier pick-up and he accidentally fell over the edge and the truck tire literally ripped his tail off. All that was left was the bone and they brought the rest of it in (skin and fur) and laid it next to him. I just had to tell that story because the back of a truck is not the place for a dog.

 

[Beanie081781]

Seat Belts

I have 2 when i go take my babies for a ride i just put it on them like a normal body harness but this one has somekinda fur wrapped around thier chest area and towards neck. It locks to my seat belt in my car when im ready to take them out it has a hook to hook up a leash. Its pretty cool and very convient. Every time i go by the door and i grad it from the coat rack they go crazy they know they are going bye bye.