Dog supplies: Seatbelts/car restraints

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Let's face it, many people have a hard enough time being disciplined about buckling themselves up in the car, much less tending to their dog's seat belt. And yes, some people laugh at the idea.

But consider this worst-case but all-too-possible scenario: you're on your way to the dog park or vet when you're in a car accident, with your dog in the car. The outcome depends on several factors: how bad the accident is, whether or not you are hurt, and whether your pet is restrained--or turned into a projectile who goes through the car window.

In some cases, nothing can prevent a horrible outcome. But you can protect your dog from becoming an unguided missile, or from leaving the scene of an accident in a panic, by restraining her. Another reason to restrain her is if you are unconscious and the dog is hurt; you'll want animal control to be able to handle her easily enough to get her to a veterinarian.

The best car restraint is one that suits your dog and vehicle

Using any form of car restraint will provide numerous benefits:

• It prevents your dog from going through the window.
• It prevents driver distraction. (Think of Stephen King's nearly fatal car accident, caused by a driver dealing with an unrestrained dog in his vehicle).
• It allows paramedics to work on you without protective interference from your upset dog.
• It prevents your dog from jumping out a window after squirrels.
• It allows you to leave windows open wider for better ventilation.

As with almost all consumer products, however, you have many choices to consider when choosing the car restraint that will work best for you and your canine pal. They are available in a variety of basic styles:

• A harness holds the dog in via a strap that attaches to the seat belt mechanism. It's kind of like a leash that attaches to a harness, thus preventing pressure on your dog's neck if the car is hit.
• Carriers strap right into the seat belt mechanism.
• Other types of carriers, for small dogs, do triple duty as booster seat, carrier, and stroller.
• Booster seats, similar to those for children, are available for small dogs to ride in, lifting them up enough that they can see out the car window while restrained in the booster seat with a belt.
• Barriers, usually made of wire or mesh, block off the backs of SUVs or vans, or they block the middle space between two front seats. These prevent dogs from jumping back and forth over the seats. Barriers do not attach the dog to the car, though, so your pup can still get sent flying through the window if there's a crash. However, barriers work wonderfully to keep dogs out of the driver's way.
• Truck restraints are usually a type of harness that attach a dog to the truck's bed, since riding loose in the back of a pickup truck is dangerous (and illegal in some states).
• Wire crates are effective at keeping your dog in one small space within the vehicle, but they usually don't fit well in cars and are better suited to SUVs, vans, and trucks.