What Happens To a Dog During an Automobile Accident?
Written: Dec 31 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Does not choke, no metal or plastic parts, handsome, strong and durable.
Cons: nothing
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| djgeiger's Full Review: Ruffrider Roadie Canine Vehicle Restraint Training... |
At one time there was nothing I enjoyed more than watching my dog in the back seat of the car with his head hanging out the window and the breeze flowing past his ears. In fact I doubt if there was anything my dog enjoyed more. This was as close he’d ever come to growing wings and flying. Until . . .
One day while traveling down the road I heard a choking sound in the back seat. I turned around and my dog had his head stuck in the window literally choking to death. His paw had hit the electronic window control and he had rolled the window up on his own neck.
Since that time I have spent considerable time investigating dog safety in cars. Many people never consider the ramifications of a dog loose in the car. Yes, a child should be in a car seat and/or seat belt. But have you considered your dog’s safety? If you haven’t considered it for the dogs’ safety at least consider it for you and your families safety. If your going down the road at 60 miles per hour and have to stop or are involved in a collision what happens to that 50-100lb dog? He continues to go forward. Even a Teacup Poodle becomes a deadly projectile upon impact! This not only will injure the dog, the velocity of the dog flying forward can hit you or your child. It can also prevent you from regaining control of the car.
There are a couple things you can do to keep your dog contained while traveling. A dog can be put in a crate and the crate can be hooked to the seat belt system. But then what happens if you’re traveling down the road at 60 miles per hour. The crate stays still and the dog will still go forward. The dog ends up mangled with a broken neck. The crate can also explode with the force of the dog hitting it causing crate pieces to become little missile pieces. Which leaves one more alternative, using a harness to seatbelt the dog into the back seat.
I have tried and looked at several products that are designed to do just that. But almost every product I have tried has some flaw. One harness had plastic snaps and hooks. The velocity of a dog flying forward will break these plastic parts in an instance. I finally found a product that works as it was designed to work. With this harness your dog can sit or lie down in the backseat, safe and secure away from the airbags. Remember that airbags come out of the dashboard at 140 miles per hour. Unsafe for children AND dogs!
The Ruff Rider dog harnesses have been thoroughly tested at the CTL Labs in Denver, Colorado on a Tinius Olsen Machine. The test results exceeded the standards for human seat belts.
This is not a one-size fit all harness. Measure your dog and pick the correct fit of the nine different choices. Don’t buy a harness thinking your puppy will grow into it. The harness must fit the dog correctly. The harness is hand washable and actually looks good on your dog.
If I had a harness that was difficult to put on a dog or hard to hook into the seatbelt system I would be less inclined to use it on a regular bases. This harness is very easy to use. The harness fits around the shoulders and chest of the dog. No part of this harness fits around the dog’s neck to choke him. It has no plastic or metal parts to break loose if there were to be an impact. A metal connection at the force of an accident well cut a harness where it is secured and the dog well still go forward.
The harness is fully adjustable to fit your dog securely. The harness also adjusts so that the dog can sit, lie down or stand in the car. The harness has a short lead that is pretty handy to get the dog in and out of the car.
The harness feels like it is made out a strong nylon of some sort. It gives just enough if there was a sudden impact unlike a harness made out of leather or other material. Many materials would cut the dog. The bottom part of the harness is pleated.
The harness I have is the Canine Vehicle Restraint/Training Harness that cost $39.95. The shipping is $7.49. I paid for normal shipping and the harness only took a few days to arrive. The company has an option of express delivery of $30. A bit spendy considering it didn’t take very long for it to get here with normal shipping. An instructional video came with the harness.
Here are examples of the products that Ruffrider handles. The Roadie $39.95, Roadie LX (has a sheepskin lining) 74.95, Roadie Hiker the harness actually has 2 detachable water-resistant daypacks & collapsible water/food bowls) 69.95, and the Roadie Hiker LX-Padded (sheepskin lining) 99.95. Ruffrider has an outstanding harness for service dogs for $149.95. They also offer some pretty nice collapsible water and food dishes and day packs to hold your dog’s food and water in his own nifty little hiking pack.
www.RUFFRIDER.com has a very easy to navigate site. The order form is complete and it’s simple to follow the directions for size and fit. Your order is secure when it gets to the point of credit card information. The harnesses and other products can be purchased in stores. The website has a store locator at http://www.ruffrider.com/shop/
The companies contact information is as follows. The telephone number is (888) 783-3743. The email address is emailus@ruffrider.com. The mailing address is Ruff Rider Products, L.L.C., 946 Vetch Circle, Lafayette, CO 80026.
Remember that your dog must be hooked into the seatbelt system in the backseat to protect him from the airbag system. Keep in mind that “in an auto accident a 60 pound dog in a car traveling 30 mph will hit an object ten inches in front of her/him at 1,200 pounds per square inch. “ Protect your family and your beloved family pet by securing him into the seat belt system with the Ruffrider Canine Vehicle Restraint/Training Harness. A dog in a harness hooked to the seatbelt system keeps drivers from becoming distracted while driving giving the harness one more great safety feature to consider. If my dog had been correctly contained in a harness he would not have choke himself in the window. (The dog survived, uninjured) Consider your dog’s safety as your 2001 New Year’s resolution!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
djgeiger
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Member: Diana Geiger
Location: Huron, South Dakota USA
Reviews written: 150
Trusted by: 343 members
About Me:
I am a writer and the Exotic Pets Editor for BellaOnline.com.
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