Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

Maddy is about 15 lbs. but "longer" than she is "wider."

I purchased one of those seat belt harnesses and it didn't work - it just slides right off of her when she wants to look out the window on our drives.

I tried putting her in her carrier bag (duffel style) and she will stay there for a few minutes and then mosey on over to the other side and jumps out.

Does anyone have any recm'd for a harness that is easy to use, doesn't restrict as much, is safe, and will fit a "skinny/long" dog? I just don't feel comfortable having her in the car with NOTHING for safety.

Thanks in advance!

p.s. My drives aren't that long, but I like taking her with me when I'm running errands...so it's a lot of short drives. When we drive for longer distances, she sits in the back sleeping.

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

Cooper is in the car with us all the time and we've tried a bunch of different things before we found one we liked, that was comfortable, and safe.

It's sort of like this...


Basically it's teather (for lack of a better word) that you attach to your seatbelt and then hook up to your harness (FYI, if you harness isn't fitting her, it's not because she's too small, you just need a smaller size harness). Coop's able to move around and lay down comfortably. And it's easy enough that when you get to where you're going you can just unlatch the teather and hook up your leash while the harness is still on him.

We got ours a PetSmart but I couldn't find the exact one on their website.

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

Thanks so much - I'll try the one you've recm'd - it looks like it'll work well for her.

I actually bought three sizes of the harness - M/S/XS and they all slip right off of her...when I bought it back to Petco the woman just looked at me stunned b/c Maddy was able to slip out of it so easily, even though I was applying it correctly!

Thanks again!

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

If you can't find a harness to fit her, I would put her in a hard carrier (not a duffel bag style one) and make sure it is secured / locked.

ETA - how is she getting out of the other carrier? Are you leaving it open?

Message edited 1/20/2009 1:41:40 PM.

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

Definitely take her to the store and have her try on harnesses right there. We find we have to adjust the heck out of the harness because Cooper is so broad on top but narrow on the bottom (not so much anymore because he's turning into a real fatty ).

good luck!!

And I agree... I would want her to be able to look out the window too. That's why Cooper loves being in the car so much... the scenery!

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

There are also "car seats" for smaller dogs...here's one from DrsFosterSmith.com.

Link

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

I have a carseat for Mia and it's great.
It works with your regular harness and the seatbelt.
Not only is she belted in, but she is mobile, has great visibility and is no longer sliding all over the place.
A little pricey but well worth it. I think I found mine for 109.00
Yours would be cheaper because your dog is smaller.


http://www.pets2bed.com/site/1405195/product/SPP-06

Message edited 1/21/2009 8:45:38 PM.

Re: Small/Medium Dogs in the Car?

We have a strap that is really just a short leash that gets looped through the seatbelt. It is very similar to the one pictured. You would still need a harness because attaching it to a collar is not really safe. We have the adjustable type harnesses from the pet stores and we have harnesses from Bella Paris and Dachshund Delights. Dachshund Delights makes them custom and not just for dachshunds. Bella Paris does not make them custom but I've actually gotten the best fit from ordering a size up and then having a seamstress add more velcro. The velcro really does hold.

Dachshund Delight harness. I "know" the model!:

Message edited 1/22/2009 1:03:20 AM.