[marjrc]

I searched, but didn't find a thread about this so here we go...

I have a booster car seat for Ricky. Dalla's 'mom' uses the same one. You can see a pic at this link: http://www.havaneseforum.com/photopost531/showphoto.php/photo/189

I don't plan on getting a second one for #2 (gosh, we really need to find a name!) since they'll take up too much space in our van. We're already 5 people, so adding two car seats for dogs might make it a little cramped.

What safety measures do you use when driving around with your pooches? Any? Are they crated or tied to a belt of some kind?

I dont' really want to get small carriers for them. I have a small carrier for the cats that we used for Ricky until he was about 4 mths., but when he started throwing up and drooling, I switched to the booster seat. Having a dog get sick in an enclosed carrier is NO fun! ugh!

Any ideas??

 

[mckennasedona]

We use car safety harnesses that we purchased from PetEdge. We actually use our Puppia harnesses on the dogs and the seat belt attachment seen in this link.

http://www.petedge.com/shopping/browse/directorymain.jsp?AS=1&keyword=seat belt

We put pillows on the seats for the two dogs to sit/lay on. We do have car seats, but they are more cumbersome so we use those less often.

Susan

 

[Judy A]

I've been using a small crate for Izzy and I strap it in with a seat belt. I like the car seat idea and may look into that. Where did you get it and will it work in a back seat of a car?
Judy

 

[marjrc]

The booster car seat was bought at The Pet Supply House, a Cdn. online company. There are a few U.S. sites that must sell it as well. I just did a search for "pet booster car seat" and found some. I paid $35+ cdn. I got the medium one.

I thought it would be great because it is at the window height, allowing for your pet to see out and not get bored. Dogs love to look out the window! Problem is, it might also make this car sickness worse seeing things whiz by! Who knows? He was queasy in a carrier and still feels the same.

I bought a homeopathic remedy for travel anxiety as this seems to be Ricky's problem. He pulls away as we approach the van, gets tense if he hears it running and basically doesn't like it. I really have to get serious about getting him used to a little bit every day, or other day, but it's been challenging with the brutally cold days we've had as well as my back condition. I'm doing much better now, so hopefully we can get a routine going. I'm told our #2 is also a little car sick.

O.k....... got waaaayyyy off track there!

Thanks for the sugg'n, Susan, ..... I'll check it out.

 

[DAJsMom]

We use a harness with a clip attached to the car seatbelt. It's just an ordinary harness and a couple of carabiner clips to connect it with the seatbelt. For long distance trips we put Dusty in her crate and attatch that to the floor in the van.

 

[irnfit]

I bought a car seat for Kodi, and at first he didn't mind. Then he wouldn't stay in it and I thought he was going to hurt himself. So, he sits in my lap (bad Mommy). Shelby just lays down on the seat and goes to sleep. Exceot recently she whines when she sees Kodi on my lap. I am going to buy the harnesses for them. I did see a nice car seat at PetSmart, but I don't know if they will both fit, and I don't want to get two of them.

I really hate when I see people with dogs on their laps, and I've become one. But that is going to change real soon. I have looked for the harness before, but the size was too big.

 

[marjrc]

Yes, good idea about the seat harnesses. A 10 lb. pup will go flying like a shot should you ever have to put the brakes on suddenly or get into an accident.

I bought a harness at the local shop here today. I can return it anytime if it's not right, but I'll try it on Ricky to see. #2 is much lighter so not sure if it would fit him well. Maybe we'll have him in the booster seat and Ricky with the harness. I dunno..... so many things to think about!!

 

[Melissa Miller]

My two both ride in a metal crate. I have an SUV and its normally just me, so no big deal. They are comfy in there, and for a while Stogie always got sick, so it was best. I used to put them in sep. ones. Now he doesnt get sick so I put them together.

I do have car seats that sit up high so they can see out and it hooks to a harness. The first time I put Stogie in it, he paniced. Half way down the street he threw up all over the door of my new car. I went back to crates. It wasnt pretty, he threw up Rabbitt poop! YUCK! That was his puppy stage, I need to try them again. Ill see if I can find a pic of them.

 

[marjrc]

Melissa, I also used the wire crate for Ricky a couple of times. That was because I wanted him to have his 'den' at the place we were visiting so it was easiest to simply use it for travel as well. He actually seems a little less worried in there and can lie down - lots of room. We cover it and he seems to be able to sleep. The booster seat makes it a little tricky for him to sleep though and he sits looking out, looking worried.

With our gang, using one or both crates for the pups isn't always an option though. They take up too much room!

 

[Rita]

I used a little travel crate to bring Houston home. I am hoping to keep using it because I think it is so easy. He even slept in it last night. I think he likes it better than his wire crate. I figure if I am going to take him out all the time to visit people it will be easier to use the travel crate then car seats. I am sure I will change my mind a hundred times.

 

[marjrc]

I did the same thing, Rita. I had that carrier that we'd been using for our cats when they'd go to the vet's. Ricky was small enough that it was nice and cozy in there for him. I did put it away once in the house though, and had him using his crate. Then one day, he got sick in the carrier - really sick - and it was NO fun cleaning it all up. It happened a 2nd time and I said 'that's it'! EEEEwwwwww!

He'd get covered in the mess so that's when I got the booster car seat. At least if he does get sick, he's not sitting in his mess as much as when it happened in the carrier. Anyway, by 4-5 mths., he was too big for that thing! lol

You'll see what works best for you and Houston. We and they are all different.

 

[Laurief]

I use the harnesses and a round bed with sides on it. they are latched into the seats, but can curl up in the beds & feel comfy. And if they throw up, which does occur, you just throw it in the wash.

 

[Judy A]

Laurie,
Where did you get the harness? I have a round bed that Izzy likes, so maybe this would work for us as well for longer trips. I might wait until Izzy is full grown to buy a harness, but I would like to know what kind you found works.
Judy A

 

[Laurief]

Judy - I got them at petedge.com They actually come with a harness but I dont use that, my guys dont like them. I just hook the one end on the seat belt, and hook the other end to their collars. I seems to work for us! Good luck.