27 replies to this topic

[kayharley]

I just bought a doggie seat belt for Madison after a very long, frustrating ride to the vets. She actually wiggled down around my feet and part of her was under the brake pedal. Winnie is wonderful, sits in the back and enjoys the ride. Madison is awful, constantly jumping on me so now she's being buckled in. I feel guilty that one gets freedom and the other doesn't.
How do your Cairns act in a car?

[Rob D.]

We put Murphy in a smaller kennel than the one in the house mainly because we can't get the one in the house into our minivan. I secure his kennel with four bungie cords that fasten behind the seat. As long as we point him facing the front window he's fine. He just has to see where we are going. I figured that if he is familiar with a kennel he will not wiggle around. If it's a long trip he curls up and go to sleep. Besides, if we're ever in an accident at least he stands a better chance not getting seriously hurt. I can't for the life of me figure out why people let the dogs ride on their laps when they drive with their "Best Friend" hanging out the window. If they have to make a quick evasive manhouver they won't be able to because the dog was in their way. Put him in a kennel at least he'll have a chance in a mishap. That's the way I see it anyway.

[bradl]

Good for you for getting a seatbelt. We have a friend who travels with two dogs always and she uses doggy seatbelts and they work great for her. We crate in the car. Like many dog nuts we bring two crates with us when we go looking at cars, to make sure they will fit.

The reasons to restrain are many: less distraction for you as driver; dog can't turn into a twenty-pound bowling ball-sized projectile during an accident and break your neck with impact; dog less likely to be injured by being the projectile, safer for resuce workers at the scene of an accident not having to deal with a loose, frightened dog who may try to prevent them from reaching you; less chance of a loose dog bolting after an accident and becoming lost or killed; limits carsick dogs to a single, easy-to-clean area; encourages dog to settle down and rest instead of barking at passing vehicles; no chance of dog slipping out door when getting in and out. Etc.

[janko77]

I drive a short distance to take Dudley for his daily walk, and he loves to sit on my left leg, next to the driver's side window. He can see out to the side and forward from here, and he likes to periodically stick his head out the window (but only when we are going slow!). We have a routine that he gets in first, I get in next, so he jumps over to the passenger seat, I start the car and back out, and once I start driving, he'll jump over to my lap to settle in.

He also has learrned certain short drives, like the drive to go for a walk, to Max's house (my wife parents' house, Max is their Cairn terrier) and to the cabin up north. He does get nervous and antsy when we start driving somewhere he doesn't know, but nothing alarming. He's a lot of fun in the car!

[janko77]

Oops, I forgot to add:

As far as restraining, I mentioned that Dudley likes to sit on my lap while driving. On longer, highway drives, we do put Dudley in the back seat, and he normally settles down after a time to sleep depending on time of day.

I guess I was not aware of dog restraints. We crated him early on when he was a weeks-old puppy, but beyond that, we've never thought to do that because he is pretty well-behaved.

[kayharley]

Well, I had to return the seatbelt I bought to Petco after Madison got her leg caught in the belt loop that the car's belt goes through. The dog in the picture on the case was sitting so nice and looked so confined and happy. Yeah, right!
Madison's little paw was tangled so tight that she couldn't move. The strap was twisted and mangled. After pulling over 3 times to fix it, off it went.
I did find one that has a smaller loop for the car's belt and it's nicely padded for her chest area.
What's so nice about Petco and some of the other chain pet shops is that they never give you a hard time about returning something. They even told me they'll take back chew toys if your dog doesn't like them.

[CarCarDawn]

Hi! Ummm - - actually Riley does most of the driving - - - no kidding!! He likes to have his front legs on the wheel while standing with his back legs on me!!! After realizing how dangerous this could be to the both of us - - -I have purchased a restraining device!

[wags]

I once heard of a story where the dog (a schnauzer, I think) DID do the driving.

It was a very long ride and the driver was falling asleep at the wheel. The dog noticed something was wrong. He ran and climbed on the driver's lap, took, hold of the wheel and barked. That is how the dog saved both their lives.

[kayharley]

So much for the seat belt!!
Second one I purchased faired as well as the first! I wasn't even out of the driveway and my "Houdini" was sitting beside me! I almost had to laugh although humor wasn't a priority at that point. I tried again after tightening it up and again she slithered out of the belt.
I now have a carrier...something like you'd carry a cat in. It's pretty much chew-proof and tomorrow we're gonna have a nice and safe ride to the vet for our Heartworm test. God, how I love this breed!!!

[Logansmom]

We have a dog car seat. It attaches to the seat via the seat belt and has a clip that hooks on to the harness. This serves several purposes. It raises the dogs so that they can see out of the window and it restrains them for their safety and for ours. It is lined with fleece and they cuddle right into it and snooze. Most of the dog catalogs sell them and they have trays underneath for the lead and potty bags.

[kayharley]

Logansmom,
Do you know what kind/brand you have? I've been surfing and there's one that looks like what you described. I assume you need a regular dog harness to keep them in there, right? My problem is that every restraining device I tried, she wiggled out of but I never thought of a snug fitting harness. I really hate her in the crate because she gets so upset....Thanks

[Logansmom]

Good morning,
I'm sorry. I can't remember through whom I ordered it. The one you are looking at is probably it. I've only seen one type. It comes in black or plaid I beleive. Large, small and double. At the time I purchsed it, we had only one baby so I got her the large so she (a Westie) could wiggle around. We now have a little brother for her (the Cairn) so I think I may get two smalls. I have a small car (Hyundai Tiburon) and it's a snug fit back there but well worth everyone's peace of mind.
Yes, you need a regular harness. The little guy is a weasel as well so make sure you make it snug enough to hold everyone in. If you get it I think you'l be really pleased. I have had so many comments about it from people that look in and see it sitting back there. Several of my neighbors have purchased them now as well. Pretty soon we'll have a community of very safe and happy puppies.
Keep me posted!

Ann

[wheezie23]

I did a search and found this. I think this is was you're talking about, Logansmom? They look very comfy. In fact, one of the pictures shows two cairns riding together!


http://www.snoozer-d...dogcarseats.htm

[Logansmom]

Wheezie,

That's it!! Thank you. That's exactly what we have. They are so comfy. The baby sleeps in a matter of moments. The older one (Westie) settles in after exploring everything first. I love those things! It comes highly reccomended

[kayharley]

Thank you so much! I've emailed the site/company with some questions pertaining to ease of escape....remember I have a Houdini of a Cairn