How do transport your cav in the car?

[shippers]

I'm just wondering what other members think is the best/safest way to transport your cav in the car? Sally has always had a seat belt harness and sat on the back seat on a blanket. Now winter is coming and she's getting wet and muddy I'm thinking it might be better to buy a crate just for the car? Those of you that use a crate in the car do you use a soft or metal one? Also what size? Sally is quite large 19.5lb. Also do you put it in the boot with the shelf off or on the back seat? Thanks

[Karlin]

You can read quite a few threads on this topic! It comes up regularly and I think was discussed just a cuple of weeks ago as I remember Bruce posting to the thread.

A soft crate will not give any protection at all, so x that off the list. Many are split between whether a secure, quality, tested seat belt harness (most are not!) is better than a good quality crate that is seatbelted into place.

Most breeders who regularly transport dogs would only ever use hard plastic crates, is what I have gathered from a couple of years on various lists. The crate should be large enough for the dog to stand and turn around and lie down but not be vast (so the dog can't be thrown around inside the crate) . I think a strong plastic crate *designed for transport* -- eg airline approved -- is the only type of crate that should be used. A flimsy plastic crate can be easily crushed. Some use metal crates especially when rans[orting lots of dogs for shows -- but most metal crates would collapse if hit -- so I have never used a metal crate for car journeys. If you have a van and can safely wedge in crates, or a 4x4, and transport a lot of dogs, then I'd use a metal crate maybe, but I don't think they are safe at all for collisions. Even if one bounced to the ground if thrown from a car, many would just pop apart (the fold down type most buy are hardly secured safely for an impact!).

Some of the harnesses sold have long leads on them that clip into the seatbelt slot and most of these are simply useless -- people leave the leads so long that the dog would slam into the back of the seat in front and would at best be flung about. So avoid those or make sure the lead bit is properly adjusted to a very short length.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if there's an impact and emergency services arive, many will not go near a dog that is NOT in a crate because a dog in pain will be biting and extremely hard to handle. Also some rescue services particularly in the US have a policy to NOT touch dogs unless they are in crates.

Also anyone transporting a dog should be aware of what seats in the vehicle have airbags -- as that is where a dog should not go! A small dog (like small children/babies) runs a significant risk of being killed by the impact of an airbag opening.

So that's a whole range of things to consider!

[Debby with a Y]

Wow, definitely lots of things to consider!!

When I just had catties, I'd put them in airline plastic crates in the back cargo portion of my CR-V. That was just to keep them from running around in the car...I never thought of the accident possibility until I read a few threads on the Cav forums!

Now Barkley is in an airline kennel in the back seat so that the airbag doesn't get him, and I run the seatbelt through the kennel's handle. I realize he can get bounced around in there, but if emergency personnel need to get him out of the car, at least I know they would be willing to grab his crate.

[shippers]

Thanks for the information Karlin. I hadn't thought about a plastic carrier didn't realise they made them big enough but now I've seen plenty online. Can anyone recommend a website that is good value? I have a small fiesta car so it would need to be big enough for Sally to move in but not too big that it would fit on the back seat.

[ourempire]

Hi! I just juse a plastic carrier, that can be locked an unlocked easily from all sides. We used it since Molly was quite small, and it also is left open in the kitchen, so she sometimes sleeps there. She loves the small carrier, everytime we carry it out, she jumps around with joy! The carrier is fastened on the back seat with the seat belt, so it is really safe.
We have sometimes left her "loose" with us on the front seat, but she is not comfortable there! She acts as if she is un-safe. The carrier is much better.

[shippers]

I have found this one on ebay that seems to be good value. Do you think it would do the trick and be about the right size?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/28-Vari-Kennel...QQcmdZViewItem

It takes dogs between 20-30lbs and Sally is 19.5lbs. I think it will be much better than messing changing harnesses from car harness to walking one in car parks. I can just put her in with her walking harness on and she is ready. I think it will take some training though to get her used to it. Thanks for the advice.

[ourempire]

Yes, I think it is good enough. It resembles our box a lot.

[Debby with a Y]

It is airline approved, and Vari-Kennel is a good name, they've been making crates for years.

[mishmosh]

I recommend the 2-in-1 RAC car harness. It's a car harness that easily converts to a walking harness and comes with anadjustable collar and chest straps. There is a D-ring on the back so when you get to the park, you can attach the lead to it or just use it as a general harness like I often do.

There is a loop on the back of the harness which you simply thread the seatbelt through and click normally. It's really well made. For a cav, you would need a medium and costs £8-11 depending on where you buy it. It's easy to use and the dog's in and out of hte car in seconds!! A godsend!!

http://www.pets2home.co.uk/item----591786.html

[Cathryn]

Personnally I don't like the idea of the seatbelt harnesses, too much risk of neck/back injury in an accident if the dog is thrown forwards hard. My lot travel in a Vari-Kennel, that is a good price for one that size too, they ar made by a company called Doskacil and are very tough and rugged indeed!!