Dog car seats and hammocks

MaddiesMom · 01-12-2008, 02:52 PM

We have a Outward Hound car seat for Maddie, our 5 month old Boston Terrier/Pug mix. It is supposed to hold a dog up to 20 pounds. Maddie is only 13 pounds, but she fills the seat up. I was great when she was smaller. I would recommend this highly if you have a small toy breed that is going to stay small, but Maddie's not going to stay small. She is supposed to be between 15-20 pounds when fully grown.

So, what do you guys use when traveling in the car with your dog? I see some people use their crates. I think that's great for long trips, but for around town and errands there has got to be something easier. We are thinking about a rear double seat hammock. Has anyone used one of these and if so did you like it?

If the hammock idea is a no go, we are trying to find another car seat that will comfortable fit Maddie. Any suggestions would be great!

dukekota · 01-17-2008, 07:43 PM

Check out www.poochieheaven.com for a car seat hammock. I thought about getting one of those for my new car when I get one for the upcoming year. They look really neat. I'm not sure if that is what you have in mind, but it looks like a good idea.

Annamarie · 01-17-2008, 07:47 PM

for short trips I usually just put my dog's harness on, loop a collar around the back peice, and strap it to a seat belt that's buckled. keeps him in place and keeps him safe.

briteday · 01-17-2008, 10:27 PM

If your vehicle is involved in a crash or rolls over that harness is no protection. I don't care how short the trip (ok, maybe over to the neighbor three streets down in our own neighborhood) my dogs go into crates that are bungee'd down to the seat belt hardware.

As a medical first responder I have stopped at numerous accidents where the humans were fine because they were wearing seatbelts. But the dogs were not so lucky without protection. Their bodies can't take the impact that a human's can. And seatbelts of any kind have never been crash tested in a laboratory. Just because they hold a dog in place doesn't mean it will restrain them properly in a crash. In fact they may do more harm than good in that situation. I consider the crate to be like a helmet when my teenager goes skiing. Not a necessity it seems on a daily basis, but in the worst case scenario it can save a life.

Annamarie · 01-17-2008, 10:30 PM

I live in a small town so going to the grocery store or the beach is literally a 30 second drive

Shaina · 01-17-2008, 11:06 PM

Kim wears a Ruffrider car harness (the extra padded one), and rides in the back seat. Big dog + small car = crate doesn't work. Well, big enough that a crate that could fit her would not fit in the car, ever.

Anyway Kim loves the harness--or at least she loves the car rides that go in it. If I hold it up she puts her head through then lifts up one leg then the other for me to put through the harness, lol.

I've seen crate vs. good harness debates, but for me there's really no choice--I do the best I can considering I can't afford to go buy a new car so a crate would fit.

DogsforMe · 01-27-2008, 01:08 AM

I have a small hatch so for my dogs they are secured to the back anchor point with straps that are attached to their collars. If I had a smaller dog I would use a crate. I don't like the harnesses that are made for car trips because my dogs would always get themselves tangled, I would have to stop & remove them or we couldn't travel together.

dog dandy darcie · 02-03-2008, 10:46 AM

I recently purchased a double hammock for our two medium/large sized dogs. It works well for very short trips. The dogs are contained to the back seat, but it doesn't secure them which isn't good. We have also tried the padded harnesses that attach to the seat belt. Our lab mix is a regular Houdini and quickly found his way out of the harness.

I would say the hammock is good to have for quick trips to the vet, etc. Of course we live 2 blocks from the vet so that makes it nice.

poohlp · 02-05-2008, 09:30 AM

I have trouble with mine bc I have a two seater convertible. No place for a crate and the seatbelt/harness combo doesnt work very well bc the seatbelt sticks out over the bucket seats and my dog gets tangled in it. anyone have a good solution for that problem? My dog is about 55 lbs and long legged.

cbouche · 04-16-2008, 01:21 PM

I have a car seat for my dog of 15 pounds that can be attached to the seat, like the seat belt and can be used as a carrier as well. Check it out at www.formybestpal.com. I have two kids and my dog goes in the middle just like another baby.