Pet Auto Safety

Carrie, the owner of www.AllThingsDogBlog.com shares her experience with buying our products in a three part series called “Dog Safe Travel Around Town and on the Highway”.  On February 28th, she tells her experience about traveling with her pets.  She says about us, “After the beginning of All Things Dog Blog, I met a new friend through the blog. The owner of Pet Auto Safety, has introduced me to safer options that I never knew existed.”  Click here to visit her blog and read Part I of “Dog Safe Travel…”.

On March 8th, she posts Part II of her series and tells us a little bit more about her dog Oliver’s experience with his pet car seat (Oliver in his pet car seat pictured above).  Here is a partial quote from her blog, ” Transportation issues change when you risk a large dog stepping on a small dog in the back seat, so we’ve taken precautions to protect little Oliver.

Since Oliver’s inclination has always been to stay by my side (he is a ‘companion’ breed, after all), he’s much happier when in the front seat. There are only a few safe options for this scenario; we picked a raised car seat, pictured above. While there are different types, mine is a model that has 3 straps attaching it to the seat, so there’s a pretty fair backup system in place. An adjustable strap inside the seat area attaches to your dog’s harness with a clip. This gives you the ability to decide how much he can move around inside the seat.”  To read more, click here to visit her blog and read Part II of “Dog Safe Travel…”.

In Part III posted on March 16th, Carrie talks about Tanner’s experience with the Pet Buckle.  In her blog post, Carrie says, “My only surprise was that the buckles are as strong and secure as our human seatbelt buckles are. That loud click sent me a clear message: Tanner will be safe in this seatbelt. I liked that.”  Click here to visit her blog and read Part III of “Dog Safe Travel…”

Visit www.AllThingsDogBlog.com again for more great posts from Carrie.  She doesn’t just blog about pet auto safety, she blogs about All Things Dog! 

Are the kids out of school for a whole week?  What will you and your family do?  What special place are you going to travel to this year?  And most importantly, will you take your dog or leave him behind?

If you take your dog with you visit DogFriendly.com for hotels, tourist sites, and other pet friendly places you can take your dog.  If you drive by car, make sure your dog wears his dog seat belt.  If you fly, be sure to talk with your vet and review the airline regulations thoroughly.

If you leave your dog behind, can you leave him with a friend, hire a pet sitter, or leave him at a boarding kennel?  If hiring a pet sitter or leaving him at a boarding kennel make your reservation as soon as possible.  Otherwise, the pet sitters might already be booked or the boarding kennels full.

For a boarding kennel, you will also want to have your dog visit the vet first.  Bordetella shots and other vaccinations may be required by the boarding kennel.  Having your dog visit the boarding kennel beforehand is a good idea too.  If the boarding kennel has a doggie day care play area, let him stay for an afternoon to see how he likes it.  Some boarding kennels may even require this.

If hiring a pet sitter, be sure to review them first.  Check them out online to see if anyone has left any reviews.  Meet the pet sitter in person and let your dog meet them too.  Perhaps hire the pet sitter for an afternoon while you are at work.  If possible, have a trusted friend or neighbor check up on the dog too in order to make sure the pet sitter has been fulfilling their obligations to your dog while you are on vacation.

Wherever you do with your dog while you travel for spring break, make sure your dog’s identification goes with him.  Microchip him so that if he gets away and his collar comes off, he can still be identified.  Make sure all your contact numbers are current so that you can be contacted in the case of emergency.  Leave alternate numbers of friends or neighbors.  Make sure his veterinary office phone number is current as well.

Don’t feel bad if you have to leave your dog in someone else’s care while you are gone.  Travel can be stressful for your dog – especially if you have to fly.  There are a lot of good pet services out there.  When I lived in Overland Park, Kansas, Sephi loved Grand-Paws Pet Sitting Services.  Maya loved Woof’s Play & Stay and Camp Bow Wow (Sephi doesn’t like boarding kennels).  Services like this could be a little vacation for your dog too.

Although the measurements of the dog car seatbelt brands are given on the website, it can still be a challenge to determine the proper size for your dog.  That is why we have a Guarantee Fit Promise on our dog car seatbelt brands.  What does that promise mean?  It means that if you get a dog car seatbelt which is a little too big or a little too small, then just send it back to us and we will send you another dog car seatbelt at no additional cost to you.

Certain conditions and limitations apply.  First, the exchanged dog car seatbelt must be no more than one size difference.  So if you purchase a medium dog car seatbelt, you can only exchange for a small or large.  You cannot exchange a medium dog car seatbelt for an extra-large.

Another condition is in regards to the padded dog car seatbelts – Houndstooth pattern, Ride Right, and Plaid pattern.  We have indicated on our site in many places that these brands will not fit dogs with a girth size between 15 and 20 inches.  So if you get an extra-small dog car seatbelt and it is too small, you can’t exchange for a medium.  A medium will not fit.  Likewise, if you purchase a medium dog car seatbelt and it is too big, chances are that the extra-small will be too small.  You can return them for a refund (excluding shipping), but an exchange is not available.

Also, the dog car seatbelt must be returned within 30 days in new condition.  We’d prefer the dog car seatbelt packaging be returned as well, but are willing to make exceptions.

And a final condition is that your dog car seatbelt must have been purchased from Pet Auto Safety.com.  Even if the dog car seatbelt brand is the same, we cannot except exchanges from purchases made through other vendors.

If your dog fits right at the edges of the measurements indicated on our website, feel secure in knowing that you don’t have to worry about being stuck with a size that doesn’t fit.  With our Guarantee Fit Promise on the dog car seatbelt, you can make an exchange for the right size.

If your dog rides in the car without a restraint of some kind, what do you think will happen to him if you get in a car accident?  Depending on the severity of the wreck, he could be seriously injured or even killed.  But that is not the only danger.  Here is a list of some other things which could happen:

• Your dog could become a flying projectile and hit other passengers in the car.  Again, depending on the seriousness of the accident, this could lead to anything form minor injuries to death.  If a box of Kleenex turned projectile can kill a person, imagine what a dog could do.
• Your dog could fly through windshield of the car.  If this doesn’t seriously injure or kill him, he will be so traumatized by the accident that he will try to run.  He could run into traffic and get hit by a car, or he could run for miles and miles and get lost.
• Your dog could escape out of a broken window.  After a car accident, your dog’s most likely instinct will be to run.  And if there is a broken window, he may try to get out.  Like above, he could then get killed by getting hit by a car or by running away and getting lost.
• At the very least, your dog could develop a fear for riding in the car.  Your dog may have once loved riding in the car but after a traumatic incident in the car, he may never want to ride again.

So keep your dog safe when he rides in the car with some sort of pet auto safety device.  Have him wear a dog seat belt or put him in a crate and strap the crate into the car.  Another restraint method, which isn’t quite as effective but is better than nothing, is a pet car barrier.

If you are afraid that your dog might chew on his dog car harness, here are a few tips which might keep your dog from damaging the device which could save his life:

• Get your dog used to wearing the dog car harness by allowing your dog to wear the dog car harness around the house.  Only let him wear it when you are able to watch him.  When you see him chewing on the dog car harness, say “no” or “eh eh”.  Do fun activities with your dog while he is wearing the dog car harness.  If you have a dog car harness in which the seat belt attachment can be removed, take him for a walk with his dog car harness on.  You can also do other fun activities while your dog is wearing the dog car harness, such as playing fetch – just remember to help your dog learn to associate his dog car harness with fun stuff.
• Begin taking your dog on short trips while he is wearing his dog car harness.  If possible, have someone sit in the back seat with him to give him the “no” command or by distracting him with a squeaky toy.  Be sure that your short trips are not to someplace where you would have to leave your dog alone in the car.  You can go to a bank or fast food drive-through, to the park, or to a pet store where your dog is allowed to go inside with you.
• Another thing you might try is to spray the dog car harness with bitter apple spray or another anti-chew but safe spray.  Or make your own spray by mixing water with cayenne pepper or peppermint.

Pampered Pug in the Padded Pink Plaid Pet Seatbelt – Perfectly Pretty in Pink!

Ok, enough with the P’s.  But what better way could I have told you that Pet Auto Safety.com has recently added plaid pet seatbelts which match perfectly with the plaid pet car seat covers?  The pet seatbelts and pet car seat covers come in pink plaid for girl dogs and blue plaid for boy dogs.  The plaid pet seatbelts are slightly padded and fit across the dog’s chest for both comfort and safety.  The connecting strap buckles directly into the seat belt receptacle.  And the connecting strap can be removed so that you can walk your dog in their pet seatbelt.  The plaid pet car seat covers are also slightly padded and fit most standard-sized bench seats.

Please note that the plaid pet seatbelts do not fit dogs with a girth size between 15 and 20 inches.  Be sure to measure your dog around their girth (the chest area just behind their front legs).

Suppose you get in a car accident with your dog in the car.  And suppose he was not wearing his dog seatbelt.  Worst-case scenario, he is seriously injured.  If he’s lucky, he is not badly hurt – but he is terrified.  Let’s look at what could happen in either case.

If your dog was not hurt after a car accident where he was not wearing his dog seatbelt, he is still traumatized.  After such a terrifying experience, his instinct is going to tell him to run.  So if there is a broken window or other means of escape, he is likely to use it.  And he is going to run fast and blindly.  If he runs in the street, he might get hit by a car.  If he manages to avoid getting hit by a car, he is going to run a long way before he finally stops.  This means he is likely to get lost.  Being lost without his loved ones would be almost as terrifying as being in a car accident.

If your dog is hurt after a car accident, he is going to need medical attention.  But most likely, an injured dog is not going to let strangers touch him.  How are the police, firemen, or medics going to help him if he tries to bite them?  If he doesn’t try to bite them, he is going to try to struggle to get away from them.  Dogs don’t understand someone is trying to help them.  All they know is that they are hurt and strangers with an unknown intent are near them.

A dog wearing a dog seatbelt won’t be able to escape from the car. Just like a personwearing a seatbelt, a dog wearing a dog seatbelt can still be injured.  But an injured dog wearing a dog seatbelt will not be able to struggle as much and will be easier for emergency personnel to restrain and aid.  So a dog seatbelt isn’t just to protect your dog during a car accident.  It is also to protect your dog after a car accident.

Why are so many dog car harness brands in plain boring colors?  Well, not all of them are.  Check out the houndstooth dog car harness.  It comes in pink and white houndstooth, brown and white houndstooth, and black and white houndstooth.

But the houndstooth style doesn’t just apply to the dog car harness.  There are houndstooth pet car seat covers in the same colors.  The houndstooth dog car harness and the pet car seat covers are not only stylish, but good quality.  The only thing with the houndstooth dog car harness is that it does not fit small to medium dogs very well.  It is a better fit for really small dog or for large and extra-large dogs.

Deck out your car and your dog in comfort, safety, and houndstooth style.  Get them while supplies last.  These dog car harness colors are being discontinued by the manufacturer.

You want to keep your dog safe when they travel in the car, but you’re not sure which pet travel products are best.  There are several things to consider when looking for the right pet auto safety device for you and your dog, and we can help.  Review the list below along with a short description.  Feel free to review our blog further for more detailed information on the various pet travel products.

Dog’s Temperament: 
*Prefers Confinement – A pet travel crate is a good pet auto safety method, but a pet travel crate which is strapped in is even safer.
*Hates Confinement – You can use a dog seat belt which has a long tether or keep your dog in the back with a pet auto barrier.
*Likes to Look Out the Window – For small dogs, this may be difficult.  Your small dog can be strapped into a pet booster seat.  For bigger dogs, use a dog seat belt rather than a pet travel crate.
*Likes to Relax – For a dog who likes to relax, use a dog seat belt with a short tether which is safer than one with a long tether – or have them ride in a pet travel crate.  You can also consider a pet booster seat for a smaller dog.

Level of safety:  The safest pet auto safety methods are the dog seat belt or pet travel crates which are strapped in with a kennel restraint system.  Pet auto barriers are not as safe, although they do provide some level of protection in that they keep the dog from distracting the driver and they prevent the dog from getting thrown forward into the front in the event of a car accident.

What Kind of Vehicle and How Much Room:  Metal pet auto barriers are too big for a car.  However, there are canvas barriers and pet nets which are perfect for cars.  If you have a big dog, using a crate may not work, or if you have a big crate in the back of an SUV, you may have difficulty in strapping the crate in.  A dog seat belt will work in any vehicle with car seat belts.

Ease of Use:  Pet auto barriers may require installation.  A pet booster seat or pet travel crate may have some set up, but not as much as a pet auto barrier.  A dog seat belt has the lowest level of installation.  It may be difficult when you first put it on but once you get a hang of it, it is super easy.

Crate With Straps vs. Dog Seat Belt:  A study has not been done to see which method is safer.  However, a dog seat belt is safer than a crate which is not strapped in and a crate is safer than a dog seat belt which has a very long tether.  The shorter the tether on a dog seat belt, the safer it is for the dog.

Do you love the outdoors?  Are you considering traveling to Austin, Texas?  The Austin area is a great place for people who love the outdoors to visit.  In the city itself is Zilker Park and the Barton Creek Greenbelt.  North of Austin is Georgetown Lake.  (My dog, Smokey, and I went on a 3-day hike around the lake once.  It was awesome!)  East of Austin is Bastrop Lake.  (This place is great for taking the dogs swimming, hiking, or boating.)  These are just the places I am most familiar with.  There are many more outdoor places in the Austin area for you and your dog to visit.

Back when I used to live near Austin, Texas, I had Becky Ann, Achilles, and Smokey (pictured above left).  As you can imagine, traveling anywhere with all three of them in the car was a challenge.  That is when I first considered dog car seat belts.  I got one for each of them.  It took a little time, but Smokey, Becky Ann, and Achilles came to love their dog car seat belts and this meant that they got to travel to more places more often.

Our favorite place to go was Zilker Park.  It was nearby, it’s woodsy so there were lots of interesting smells for them to check out, it’s a beautiful place for anyone who loves the outdoors to visit, and it’s a great place for all of us to get exercise.  Zilker Park holds a lot of outdoor and dog-friendly attractions like the Zilker Botanical Gardens, the Zilker Park Boat Rentals, and my favorite, an entrance to the Barton Creek Greenbelt.

Dogs on a leash are allowed in the 31 acre Zilker Botanical Gardens.  Be sure to pick up after your dog, though!  We don’t want doggy smells overwhelming the beautiful smells of the garden.  The Zilker Botanical Gardens features several themed gardens such as the Fragrance Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Prehistoric Garden, and more.  These gardens also feature tranquil streams, picturesque waterfalls, and exotic ponds filled with Koi fish.  If you have a chance to visit, make it around March when the annual Zilker Garden Festival takes place.

Zilker Park Boat Rentals allows well-mannered dogs on the boat rentals.  If your dog doesn’t mind riding in a boat, this is a great way to see the beautiful scenery which Austin, Texas has to offer.  I am all about safety so my dogs wore dog life jackets when we went on the boat – especially Becky Ann who was the only dog that I ever owned who didn’t know how to swim..

As mentioned before, the Barton Creek Greenbelt was my favorite place in Austin, Texas to visit.  The Barton Creek Greenbelt features a 7-mile-long trail perfect for walking, hiking, or biking.  Dogs are required to be on a leash.  This is especially important so that your dog doesn’t get in the way of the people biking along the trail.  The main trail follows Barton Creek.  There are a lot of great swimming holes along the way.  If you are a rock climber, there are some great cliffs to climb.  You may also see waterfalls, wildlife, and caves.  Once in a while, you will see a house on the other side of the creek, but most of the Barton Creek Greenbelt is all natural landscape.

If you ever get a chance to visit Austin, Texas, bring your dog.  There are plenty of dog-friendly hotels.  Even the airport is dog-friendly.  If you drive, be sure your dog wears a dog car seat belt.  If you fly, be sure it is when the weather is at its mildest because bigger dogs are not allowed to fly when the weather is too hot.  This is because bigger dogs have to travel in the cargo area of the plane which is only moderately temperature controlled.