Dog Harness?

[gateway77]

Hi - I'm looking for advice on how well dog harnesses work when attached to seat belts.

In the past we've travelled with Cluedo our Vizsla on the rear parcel shelf which has been fine and comfortable for him but possibly more insecure than I would wish.

So I'm keen to get a harness and put him on the rear seat - but I'm wondering how effective is this in day to day use.

ie. do your dogs get completely tangled up in the belts etc and what stops them sliding off the bench seat in the event of braking sharply - this happens quite a lot driving o small country lanes especially where you never know whats coming round the corner (even if you are only doing a low speed).

So any advice on products and how you use them would be very much appreciated.

Many Thanks

 

[Velma's Dad]

We use a setup that consists of a normal padded chest harness (can't remember which brand it is). From that we use a short strap - one end clips onto the chest ring on the harness, the other has a tongue that clips into the seat belt buckle. You can get the straps on Amazon etc.

An advantage is that to release her, eg for a short leg stretch when we stop, I just have to unclip the strap and the harness stays on her body.

In a very heavy, multi-G force collision I'm not under any illusions that it would save our 14kg spaniel but would almost certainly restrain her well in any more likely shunt and keeps her in one place while on the road.

This works well with our dog as the strap is short enough to keep her in one place on the seat - she can sit upright up and turn round but she's only a medium sized dog. We haven't had any problems at all with her sliding off the seat when braking. She usually sits on a piece of vetbed which grips quite well to the seat cover underneath, and the harness/strap seems to hold her in place pretty well regardless of how she's sitting.

If you already have some kind of chest harness I'd suggest buying one of the seatbelt straps and experimenting, as they're only a couple of quid.

 

[gateway77]

We use a setup that consists of a normal padded chest harness (can't remember which brand it is). From that we use a short strap - one end clips onto the chest ring on the harness, the other has a tongue that clips into the seat belt buckle. You can get the straps on Amazon etc.

An advantage is that to release her, eg for a short leg stretch when we stop, I just have to unclip the strap and the harness stays on her body.

In a very heavy, multi-G force collision I'm not under any illusions that it would save our 14kg spaniel but would almost certainly restrain her well in any more likely shunt and keeps her in one place while on the road.

This works well with our dog as the strap is short enough to keep her in one place on the seat - she can sit upright up and turn round but she's only a medium sized dog. We haven't had any problems at all with her sliding off the seat when braking. She usually sits on a piece of vetbed which grips quite well to the seat cover underneath, and the harness/strap seems to hold her in place pretty well regardless of how she's sitting.

If you already have some kind of chest harness I'd suggest buying one of the seatbelt straps and experimenting, as they're only a couple of quid.

Hi
thanks for your reply, thats very useful.
I've watched the article that was posted on here re harness effectiveness which was pretty disturbing to say the least!
I have some vetbed so will try that as a base and see how it goes.
The main difference with the straps seems to be those that plug directly into the buckle clip in the seat and those that loop through the seat belt itself.
The latter presumably offering more actual restraint in the event of sharp braking.
Anyway thanks again.

 

[Velma's Dad]

And a quick follow-up from my side. We've been content with just having a 'keep-dog-in-one place' setup but as I said that isn't going to protect the dog in a significant accident.

The first point-of-failure of the setup we use is almost certainly going to be the G-clip which attaches the strap to the harness. But obviously general walking harnesses aren't designed to the strength you'd need in a big accident (I believe that would be 20-g or more so the attachment point of the harness would need to have a breaking strain of several hundred kilos which I'm sure it doesn't have).

So a purpose-designed harness that utilises the vehicle seat belt is going to be much safer in an accident. I think we will have a serious look at getting one of those.

Incidentally, from what I saw on the interweb, putting your dog in a crate on the rear shelf will probably protect you from injury as the seat back is of course very strong. However the crate unless it's a very good one will disintegrate in the impact. And in any case the dog will be thrown forward within the crate, and thereby into the seat back, which is unlikely to be survivable. See: http://www.centerforpetsafety.org/test-results/crates/2015-crate-study-results/.

So a crate in the back is safe for us in front, but not for poor pooch.

 

[Velma's Dad]

And yet another post!

After poking around it's pretty clear that 90% of the 'car safety harnesses' on the market are not successfully crash tested and would probably fail in a collision. Even one of the expensive brands, Bergan, is marketed as 'crash tested'... well yes, and it failed!

Even more disappointingly, the RSPCA's own harness that they sell through Amazon as well as their online shop looks like nothing more than a cheap piece of nonsense but I bet most people will assume that it's going to protect their beloved mutt in an accident. Shame on you, RSPCA.

So I've just ordered an EzyDog drive harness, which is one of the only ones that actually stayed in one piece in the US tests, and is also certified to the EU standard for child seat belts. £73.50 from Amazon.

Thanks gateway77 for spurring me to look at that again.

 

[gateway77]

And yet another post!

After poking around it's pretty clear that 90% of the 'car safety harnesses' on the market are not successfully crash tested and would probably fail in a collision. Even one of the expensive brands, Bergan, is marketed as 'crash tested'... well yes, and it failed!

Even more disappointingly, the RSPCA's own harness that they sell through Amazon as well as their online shop looks like nothing more than a cheap piece of nonsense but I bet most people will assume that it's going to protect their beloved mutt in an accident. Shame on you, RSPCA.

So I've just ordered an EzyDog drive harness, which is one of the only ones that actually stayed in one piece in the US tests, and is also certified to the EU standard for child seat belts. £73.50 from Amazon.

Thanks gateway77 for spurring me to look at that again.

Great - let me know how you get on with it.
I'd looked at it online and it certainly seems well made, with good reviews too.
I'd also viewed at the Ruffwear version which looks quite similar.
After the safety aspects I just want to make sure it's practical to use - ie not too fiddly.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Great - let me know how you get on with it.
I'd looked at it online and it certainly seems well made, with good reviews too.
I'd also viewed at the Ruffwear version which looks quite similar.
After the safety aspects I just want to make sure it's practical to use - ie not too fiddly.

The Ruffwear products didn't do well in the crash tests (of course they might have changed the spec since then).

Several reviews of the EzyDog praised its ease of putting on/off - apparently it has magnetic clips. We shall see.

 

[Sad]

Our dog slid off the back seat a few times with the seatbelt/harness, so we now have her on the floor attached the floor rail anchor... And she's happy to be closer to us for mid travel belly tickles...

 

[Hotel California]

Mieke , our 11,5y old Vizsla has travelled over 13 diffrent countries in the Cali
We used a harnas that cliped in the seatbelt while she sat on the rear seat , but she's rather nervous while driving and we switched to a foldable crate , not a metal one but in fabric .
We do carry the harnas in the Cali just in case.
Here she is wearing the harnas
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cali-dog-cage.2321/#post-52976

Don't know if i have pictures of the foldable crate...
Edit:
It's one like in this picture
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/dog-crate-for-t6-ocean.20137/#post-230161

 

[gateway77]

Our dog slid off the back seat a few times with the seatbelt/harness, so we now have her on the floor attached the floor rail anchor... And she's happy to be closer to us for mid travel belly tickles...

Thanks for the reply - ours really likes to look out the window so probably wouldn't be happy on the floor but may give that a try anyway.

 

[gateway77]

Mieke , our 11,5y old Vizsla has travelled over 13 diffrent countries in the Cali
We used a harnas that cliped in the seatbelt while she sat on the rear seat , but she's rather nervous while driving and we switched to a foldable crate , not a metal one but in fabric .
We do carry the harnas in the Cali just in case.
Here she is wearing the harnas
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cali-dog-cage.2321/#post-52976

Don't know if i have pictures of the foldable crate...
Edit:
It's one like in this picture
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/dog-crate-for-t6-ocean.20137/#post-230161

Hi - thanks for the reply - I think Cluedo will be happy on the back seat - as said he likes to look out the window but just want to stop him sliding off the seat too often.

 

[gateway77]

Following the chat earlier in the year re Dog Harness, I thought I'd update my own thoughts after 3 weeks in France and Spain.
We ended up using a Ruffwear Harness - but not the one recommended for cars.
Ours is a more straightforward walking / running harness.

In the end we opted for this as having two separate harness systems seemed to be making life too complicated, especially when sometimes we are in and out the Cali fairly frequently.
Also after looking at the reports on how a harness will protect your dog and the occupants of the car it seems clear that they are mostly pretty flawed. So protecting the occupants is the realistic objective as well as keeping the dog from being loose in the van.

This worked really well for us - accompanied by a seat belt adapter - so he was linked to the actual seat belt as opposed to the adapter clip going straight into the seat belt lock.

This meant he had enough room to move around a bit, but he actually seemed to like the pull of the seat belt keeping him in place. It seemed to make him feel more secure. He was happy to rest and sleep like this for pretty long periods.

Last year he just travelled on the parcel shelf, where he was very happy but regardless of the legal requirements I always felt uncomfortable opening the tailgate near any busy roads.

With him clipped in it on the back seat - it was very easy to put a lead on before getting out the Cali. (There are only two of us and the dog in the van so of course that won't suit everyone).

We had a great trip and enjoyed some fantastic walking with our dog - especially in Northern Spain (not too hot there in early July - especially in the mountains where it was low 20's most of the time and cool in the evenings).

NB. Many beaches in Spain do not allow dogs - this was not an issue to us as we where heading a little inland. Also no restaurants we visited would not allow a dog inside (regional law I think) but it was fine to be outside on the terrace. This is quite different to France where they seem happy for dogs to be anywhere!

Happy travels

 

[gateway77]

The harness would regularly slip a little but he didn't seem to mind at all. Quite often he'd reverse his position lying with his back angled to the front of the seat. In this way he was using the seat belt to keep him in place. All in all worked for us very well and he was a happy Cali dog!

 

[GrannyJen]

And yet another post!

After poking around it's pretty clear that 90% of the 'car safety harnesses' on the market are not successfully crash tested and would probably fail in a collision. Even one of the expensive brands, Bergan, is marketed as 'crash tested'... well yes, and it failed!

Even more disappointingly, the RSPCA's own harness that they sell through Amazon as well as their online shop looks like nothing more than a cheap piece of nonsense but I bet most people will assume that it's going to protect their beloved mutt in an accident. Shame on you, RSPCA.

So I've just ordered an EzyDog drive harness, which is one of the only ones that actually stayed in one piece in the US tests, and is also certified to the EU standard for child seat belts. £73.50 from Amazon.

Thanks gateway77 for spurring me to look at that again.

We use EzyDog drive harnesses. It has one of those clips that's best practiced on children first, fastening them into a car seat. I also use a perlon rope attachment as Max likes to move around. Allowing him movement probably negates some of the safety for him but still keep's it safe for us.

At the end of the day whilst I love my dogs to bits I don't want to get killed by one flying through the air at 70mph.

 

[janross]

We use clickit sport from sleepypod, great crash tested harness. Slip the seat belt through the back of the harness and clip in as usual. Sleepypod also do crash tested baskets for little dogs.

 

[BeeBee]

Our dog slid off the back seat a few times with the seatbelt/harness, so we now have her on the floor attached the floor rail anchor... And she's happy to be closer to us for mid travel belly tickles...

Hi ... do you have an Ocean ... we are having major issues trying to find Anchor for our new Cali Ocean for the dog. Forum shop sent us what appears to be Anchor for Beach with screws as back plate which they say can also fit Ocean ... can't see how and will now have to return ... any advice welcome

 

[WelshGas]

Hi ... do you have an Ocean ... we are having major issues trying to find Anchor for our new Cali Ocean for the dog. Forum shop sent us what appears to be Anchor for Beach with screws as back plate which they say can also fit Ocean ... can't see how and will now have to return ... any advice welcome

That item you described fits both the Beach or Ocean, in fact any VW rail system.
On the floor rail there is a section that can be removed to fit or remove extra seats or the bench seat. This is situated towards the rail end behind the cabin seats.
Remove the sections, see Handbook.
The anchor fittings are in 2 parts. The lower with 2 screws and the upper with a plate , bolt and anchor loop. Remove the bolt from the plate and screw lightly into the lower plate. Lower the screw plate through the hole in the rail, with the screw holes in line with the rail slot, and the screw heads on top and only partially screwed in. Move it up or down the rail to the position you want. It cannot move too far towards the rear of the car because there is a Bench Stop in place if you are using the rail closest to the kitchen.
Once in position use a screw driver to scre the screws in through the plate fully. This pushes the plate upwards against the underside of the rail top and engages in the teeth/ratchet system. Once secure, remove the bolt and refit the anchor ring and plate and screw into the installed plate. Refit the removed rail sections.
It’s a lot easier to do than explain i’m afraid.

 

[BeeBee]

Hi ... do you have an Ocean ... we are having major issues trying to find Anchor for our new Cali Ocean for the dog. Forum shop sent us what appears to be Anchor for Beach with screws as back plate which they say can also fit Ocean ... can't see how and will now have to return ... any advice welcome

so..so grateful for your explanation ... what I didn't understand was that 'the bolt' when in place (without the front plate can hold the back plate up whilst you tighten in the screws... what you said just made it click. just took me 10 minutes to fit and now don't need to return it .... magic, another milestone in this retired females VW journey !
Thanks

 

[BeeBee]

That item you described fits both the Beach or Ocean, in fact any VW rail system.
On the floor rail there is a section that can be removed to fit or remove extra seats or the bench seat. This is situated towards the rail end behind the cabin seats.
Remove the sections, see Handbook.
The anchor fittings are in 2 parts. The lower with 2 screws and the upper with a plate , bolt and anchor loop. Remove the bolt from the plate and screw lightly into the lower plate. Lower the screw plate through the hole in the rail, with the screw holes in line with the rail slot, and the screw heads on top and only partially screwed in. Move it up or down the rail to the position you want. It cannot move too far towards the rear of the car because there is a Bench Stop in place if you are using the rail closest to the kitchen.
Once in position use a screw driver to scre the screws in through the plate fully. This pushes the plate upwards against the underside of the rail top and engages in the teeth/ratchet system. Once secure, remove the bolt and refit the anchor ring and plate and screw into the installed plate. Refit the removed rail sections.
It’s a lot easier to do than explain i’m afraid.
View attachment 45283

Thanks, just followed 'Sad's' instructions which like yours give me the hint to use the bolt to hold up back plate whilst fitting screws ! just fitted and I'm beginning to feel that with a little help I may just manage most things ..... maybe !
Thanks

 

[Ray Cali]

Both our goldies, Sam and Tom wear Julius-K9 harnesses with seat belt attachments, which keeps them both reasonably restraint. Never tested them in a crash, but have worked ok in hard braking after some idiot pulled out in front of us.

 

[flying banana]

You want me to wear a harness???

 

[BeagleMum]

Both our goldies, Sam and Tom wear Julius-K9 harnesses with seat belt attachments, which keeps them both reasonably restraint. Never tested them in a crash, but have worked ok in hard braking after some idiot pulled out in front of us.

Normal day to day our beagles wear Ruffwear & J-K9 harnesses, neither of which are crash tested, so we bought Ezy Dog at £70 each for travelling. Unfortunately, although they are a well made harness they just weren't suitable or comfortable for our dogs.We've reverted to using Ruffwear & seatbelt attachment which is a reasonable compromise. We are currently in Devon but travel to the far North of Scotland fairly frequently so do worry about their safety.

 

[Elly Swanson]

We use a setup that consists of a normal padded chest harness (can't remember which brand it is). From that we use a short strap - one end clips onto the chest ring on the harness, the other has a tongue that clips into the seat belt buckle. You can get the straps on Amazon etc.

An advantage is that to release her, eg for a short leg stretch when we stop, I just have to unclip the strap and the harness stays on her body.

In a very heavy, multi-G force collision I'm not under any illusions that it would save our 14kg spaniel but would almost certainly restrain her well in any more likely shunt and keeps her in one place while on the road.

This works well with our dog as the strap is short enough to keep her in one place on the seat - she can sit upright up and turn round but she's only a medium sized dog. We haven't had any problems at all with her sliding off the seat when braking. She usually sits on a piece of vetbed which grips quite well to the seat cover underneath, and the harness/strap seems to hold her in place pretty well regardless of how she's sitting.

If you already have some kind of chest harness I'd suggest buying one of the seatbelt straps and experimenting, as they're only a couple of quid.

That’s what we do with our dog. But if he’s in the back (when travelling with Grandchild) I attach a clip to the metal of the shelf.

 

[stevieb]

We finally settled on this arrangement It took a while as we assumed our new puppy would be on the bench seat like our last dog but he wanted to be on the floor!

 

[Robert_S]

We have an EZY-Dog crash tested harness - as mentioned earlier in the thread - for our German Shepherd. As Velma's Dad says, not convinced it would prevent injury in the event of a significant impact but it is better than doing nothing and (as far as I understand) complies with current legislation about restraining dogs etc. We connect up one of the rear bench seat belts and loop a dog lead through that and connect the lead to the Ezy harness. Dog sits/lays on the floor, not on the rear bench seat. To help minimise tangling, we got a swivelling mountaineering caribiner to connect between lead and harness. Hope that makes sense.