New law? Dogs must be restrained in cars?

lostinrates

Xaviera wrote: »

Why can't you buy them car harnesses that clip round the seatbelt?

Because they are too big to sit on back seats! It would be a great alternative otherwise.

My grey hound could wear one when we travel alone, in fact I think I will buy her one, but the other dogs have to trvel with seats down in a very large car (ie, every thing behind front seats is the'r room, and they use it ALL)

oldMcDonald

Get a bigger car then, lir

lostinrates

oldMcDonald wrote: »

Get a bigger car then, lir

Not many bigger cars on the market!

We're considering getting a small van, because my small car (not the dogs' car) needs replacing, but I'm aware this is also my daily transport and that there are otherconsiderations (fuel-cost to run/green-ness, ease of parking when I'm in Cities)

The big dogs won't travel now, in the heat, unless a vet visit needed, but in the cooler months I'd say they go out twice a week in the car. Its a very difficult balance.

moomin5

I use a car harnesses on my greyhounds when we travel, partially because of the worry of them flying in crash and also it allows me to open the boot without worrying about them getting loose. I had to adapt it a bit so i have 1 of those straps that clip into the seatbelt fasteners and that attaches to the car harness strap that normally the seatbelt should go through.

Xaviera

lostinrates wrote: »

Because they are too big to sit on back seats! It would be a great alternative otherwise.

My grey hound could wear one when we travel alone, in fact I think I will buy her one, but the other dogs have to trvel with seats down in a very large car (ie, every thing behind front seats is the'r room, and they use it ALL)

Awrr, I didn't relaise they were a giant breed! Are they newfies or danes or something? :eek::D

Costs a lot of money buying vans, and then you have to fit them out with cages, even more money, and unless you do agility or you're on the road all the time or something it's a bit of a waste of cash. I lurve big dogs! :cool:

I think you can buy pretty big dog bags but for a 100lb+ dog that just won't hold imo.

lostinrates

Xaviera wrote: »

Costs a lot of money buying vans, and then you have to fit them out with cages, even more money, and unless you do agility or you're on the road all the time or something it's a bit of a waste of cash. I lurve big dogs! :cool:

Exactly: my concern is that the cost to risk ration is not really worth it. My statistical likelyhood of having crash contnues to decrease, ATM, and I've only had one (Ironically when I was towing horses and someone went in to me- so I acknowledge the risk is there and do not deny that I am at risk. I would not, however, seek to break the law, and the cost implication to this is pretty big: I'd not ever want to risk not having facilities to travel them incase of emergency vet visits or similar.

FWIW, I would NEVER allow a child to travel loose, though I did as a child. but the fact of the matter is risk avoidance although necessary can never be total. I endulge in other risky activity and take reasonable precaution: but the only risk free would be to avoid altogether.

We travel withourcats in the car too, and they are either caged or on leads attached to belts: the risk for me with them that isn't there with the dogs is them being untrainable to stay in the back.

The thing with bags is the shape and comfort: aswell as size: our dogs tend to lie down, entwinded in each other. They are trained (while the car is moving on private land when young, to NOT stand in the car lthough I admit they do stand when its off. Sometimes they think about it at traffic lights, but respond immeadiatley when told to lie down.)

So ultimatrly, if it becomes law we will have to look at getting an appropriate vehicle . One of the arguments against vans/horseboxes has always been they like to look out of the window, and I think that it would be a less enjoyable experience for them, posibly even making it something they don't want to do, unlike now where the word ''car'' creats much joy!, but if the law requires it I will do it. We no longer show, and so, yes, would be a huge investment for vet trips and the occasional further afield dog walk, and thats why I'd rather not do it.

lisawood78

We have Great Danes, 2, extra large and rather bouncy.
They travel in various cars, Nissan Skyline (only one will fit in here) Ford focus (both on back seat) and Nissan Navara (both in rear, snug top)
At all times they wear either a car harness or lead and collar which clips in to the belt points or onto the luggage holders in the back (Navara)
I could not travel in the car without them attatched in some way, for worry of them getting hurt, or even worse (I love my pets but you have to draw a line) getting killed by the force of one of them, they weigh over 10 stone each!
So it is possible with giant breeds.

lostinrates

lisawood78 wrote: »

We have Great Danes, 2, extra large and rather bouncy.
They travel in various cars, Nissan Skyline (only one will fit in here) Ford focus (both on back seat) and Nissan Navara (both in rear, snug top)
At all times they wear either a car harness or lead and collar which clips in to the belt points or onto the luggage holders in the back (Navara)
I could not travel in the car without them attatched in some way, for worry of them getting hurt, or even worse (I love my pets but you have to draw a line) getting killed by the force of one of them, they weigh over 10 stone each!
So it is possible with giant breeds.

Hi, this is really interesting to me...I'm going to look at the harness option but not sure what it would secure to in out back. Would you be able to clip a third and to where?

Ours simply would not fit on the back seat together, in my smaller car one alone would not fit on the back seat!

lisawood78

Hmm, do you have 3 danes?
I don't reckon there are many family cars that could take 3 Great Danes tbh.
We can get three in the Navara but as I said that is a pick up truck with a covered back.
Does the car have 3 rear seats? If so do they split fold? Maybe you could pop the seat belt clip through the split into the Boot and get one that has a seat belt clip and plug it in there.
Have to say, I wouldn't get 3 the size of my two in my every day car though, thats a Ford Focus.

miamoo

Are dogs allowed to sit in the front seat if they are restrained? our doberman has a dog seat belt that fastens to the normal seat belt and she loves sitting in the front.