Has anyone used a dog harness?

[islasmum]

Has anyone used a dog harness which attaches to the seat belt in a car - are they safe?

[roxie_09]

I've got one, never used it yet though. I suppose its better to have them belted in, just in case you have to brake hard or something. stop them flying through the car x

[islasmum]

Thanks Roxie - I'm not sure what my dog would think of one! Unfortunately I have to transport chairs in the estate part of the car and the dog at the same time! She may just curl up and go to sleep, or go balmy! Anyway thanks.

[Jules001]

Yes I've got one for my Bichon, although he prefers to travel without it, which we allow when someone else is in the car, if it is just me and him however, he has to wear the harness, otherwise he is constantly trying to get to me which is unsafe.

[roxie_09]

whenever i take my dog in the car, she just curls up, regardless of if i have other things in the car xx

[jules77]

I used them while I was waiting for a tailgate cage to be fitted. I wouldnt use them on long journeys though as the dogs cant lie down very comfortably in them. Although they are safer if you have nothing else in place rather than the dogs being thrown about.

[Ratty2E]

Both my 2 wear harnesses in the car, but I do have them attatched with mini lead type things which clip in where you'd clip the seat belt. I wasn't too keen on the attatchments that came with them. They also wear the harnesses when we are out road walking as I'm terrified one of them will slip their collar on a very busy road. I certainly would'nt have the dogs loose in the car for their safety as much as mine.

[chrissa1]

My labradors just curl up and go to sleep on the back seat if I can't put them in the tailgate. Seat belts for dogs, whatever next?

[carmalee]

yes I always put my collie in her seat belt when we travelled - too many dogs have been injured or killed by being thrown into the well if the car breaks suddenly. I have heard of a woman being killed by her dog hitting the back of her head when braked hard. Also, no matter how well trained it keeps them secure when you open the back door - no rushing out til the lead is on. I will add that she hated it and managed to make herself as uncomfortable as possible - much heavy sighing and 'if the welfare people knew about this you'd be in trouble' looks but she was a precious as anything to me and I would never have put a child in the back without a seatbelt so didn't with the dog.

[woofgang]

We tried it with one dog who wasn't having any of it and tied himself in knots. We always have ours travelling in a secure car cage, as others have said, it is dangerous for both dogs and humans to have dogs travelling loose in the car.

[islasmum]

Thanks everyone for your replies - fortunately I remembered that the car has a roof rack, so chairs went on that, and dog kept her place in the estate back! but it is interesting to hear peoples' views on seat belt harnesses.