Distracted driving is a hot issue these days. But it’s not just cell phones that can distract drivers, eating and drinking while driving can do so, and having your dogs in your car with you can also be an issue. Our beagle Cricket is a prime example, because if she’s not secured, she’s all over the car and gets in places like on the floors where I don’t want her. If I’m trying to see where she is, my eyes are not on the road. We have a Solvit safety seat for her, but for a bigger dog like our Lab mix Luke we need something different.
*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Solvit Products; we were compensated in exchange for our fair and honest review. Wag ‘n Woof Pets only shares products we believe will be of interest to our readers. All opinions are our own.
We are not big travelers, but Luke loves to go for rides when either the Dadz or myself are out running errands locally (though never when it’s too hot to leave him in the car for a few minutes). His favorite thing is to go with Dadz to the dump on the weekend, and we sometimes go places to walk or swim. But he will move around a lot if he sees people or dogs on the side of the road. It’s safer to have him secured.
I also want Luke to be able to enjoy the ride and sniff the fresh air or watch out the windows if he wants to. I want him to have a little freedom, but not too much. Cricket can see out when she’s up high in her booster seat, so he should be able to as well. Luke can still tend to be a little nervous when riding, so I also want to be sure he’s comfortable so he doesn’t have any added stress.
Therefore, I was happy to get the chance to try out Solvit’s Deluxe Car Safety Harness. It consists of a padded vest with a breathable mesh liner, and an adjustable safety tether with carabiner. Once you have fitted the vest to your dog, which is fairly easy, it is easy to take on and off, as it works similar to any step-in harness. There is an attachment on the back for walking your dog on stops.
One of the things I like about this harness is that there are different options for securing your dog in the car, depending on how much range of motion you want to give them. If crash safety is your biggest concern, then you would choose the option that gives them the least freedom of movement. This harness has been crash tested in a certified facility and strength tested to 3,000 lbs. Solvit’s website gives full testing details.
I wanted to keep Luke on the seat but with some room to move, so I chose one of the “middle of the road” options, where I attached the safety tether to the lap portion of the seatbelt, and then through the twin loops on the back of the harness. I also opted to lock the seat belt in advance for further security. Luke was able to comfortably sit up or lie down.
Full instructions for the different options come with the harness. I tried out every different option per the instructions, though I did find it easier to lock the seat belt after attaching it to the harness, because I found it difficult to attach without the seat belt moving freely (I had the tether at its shortest size too which could have made a difference).
If you choose to carry safety even one step further, Solvit also offers a 3-point attachment kit. I don’t feel it’s necessary for us, but for someone that travels more, they might like that extra security (and the cost is only $10.99).
Luke will get upset if a stranger approaches the car, and I would not want to add to his fear by having him unable to move away from the window. I don’t as a rule leave him alone in the car for more than just a few minutes (and normally park well away from other cars), but that’s all it would take for someone to see the cute dog and decide they want to say hello. I would think his barking alone would clue them in, but well, you know how people are! Luckily it is easy to just detach the tether so he can move around in the car to retreat from anyone approaching the window when parked.
But if you have a dog that likes to bolt and isn’t firm on their “stay” (that’s our Cricket) it’s nice to have the option of keeping them tethered when you open the door and know that they must wait to be released.
We have a few products from Solvit, and I am always impressed with their quality and durability. They specialize in products for access & mobility (ramps, stairs, lifting aids), travel, and staying active (bike baskets & trailers). They believe in highly functional, easy-to-use products that dogs and their humans want. Most of their products, like this harness, come with a lifetime warranty.
They are also generously offering our readers a chance to win a Deluxe Car Safety Harness of your own. Just fill out the widget below, and good luck!
No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to 18 and over US residents only. Void where prohibited. Giveaway will run from Friday, April 21, 2017 through Friday, April 28, 2017 at 11:59pm ET. One winner will be randomly selected by PromoSimple and notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Participants must read and agree to PromoSimple’s and Wag ‘n Woof Pet’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram do not sponsor, administer or endorse this promotion. Prize is donated by Solvit Products and Wag ‘n Woof Pets is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
As you know, we crate our dogs in the car. Whenever we stop and park somewhere, people always want to come up to the back of the van (when the hatch is open) and visit the cute doggies. LOL good luck with that one.
A harness is a good alternative to crating.
If we ever start to travel more, or further, with Luke, I would definitely go to a crate too. He also might feel more secure in there….as long as we use a big one so he can back away from the looky-loos. LOL
We can never EVER write enough posts about this subject. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
What a great review. I love their products.
It’s nice to see that Solvit provides another alternative for a crash tested harness for dogs. (Can’t believe they did a sponsored post either!). We had a harness with a zip line that gave me lots of room to move, but mom wants to keep me in place so we’ll be doing the seat belt option driving to Myrtle Beach, unfortunately! Love Dolly
I’m sure you enjoy your freedom more, Dolly, as Luke does, but it’s so important to have you safe, especially on a long trip like that. Happy to hear you will be going to Myrtle Beach too! I only wish Luke could be coming with me. 🙁
my favorite is the Small Car Cuddler in Grey. i love this product. i am thinking abt buying it.
The car cuddler looks so cozy! I think that would work great along with the safety harness for more comfort and safety all in one!
We love using seatbelts for our dogs. I’ve heard that this solving ones are the best! I’m on my phone so I can’t do all the lottery stuff. Maybe when I get home!
My dog is a little bigger so I think one of the car seats that sits on the sea would be better than hanging on. I like the safety see in brown the best.
I think the safety seats are a great option too!
Callie and Shadow were ALWAYS good about chilling out on the back seat, even before I got their first harnesses. They just laid down or sat back against the back of the seat and they were all set.
Ducky was another story, though the last couple of weeks she has been much better. I have one of those straps that buckle into the seat belt latch on one end and clip to the back of her regular harness on the opposite end. At least she doesn’t try to chew through it like she would a safety harness. And it’s better than nothing. Plus, I have a hammock-style seat cover which keeps them from sliding off the seat to the floor.
Sheba was very good too…she would get in the car and lay right down.
Oh geez, I didn’t even think about Luke chewing through the harness….that’s what happened with his last car harness, except we weren’t even in the car (I used it for walks sometimes)!
And yes, the hammock seat covers are very good too. I got one for Dad’s truck, but he won’t use it (typical, right?).
Definitely typical! We don’t usually use the truck when the dogs are coming with us – especially Shadow – because the back seat is so much narrower than in the car; but when I had to use the truck this past week, he fussed so about me putting it back there that I just gave up. Luckily I didn’t have to take Shadow anywhere. Men!
I really like their Smart Ramp Jr.
That ramp looks great! So heavy duty, but so easy to move around too. If we had all small dogs, I’d definitely want that one.
Ruby is the same as Cricket. She just will not sit still or stay in one place in the car. I would love to try this harness. We have travel bag made by Solvit that is wonderful!
Cricket wants to get down on the floors, which is probably the worst place for her to be! Then she gets there and starts scratching on the rugs like she’s making a bed. Then boom…she’s off somewhere else! Dogs of perpetual motion, right? 🙂
I was just looking at that bag….that looks really nice!
My son needs a safety harness for his Lab (our Weather Lab) LOL!
We all want Paisley to be safe, so we can keep getting our weather reports (and enjoy her cuteness)! 🙂
I could really use one of these for my dog when he goes in our truck. I would like to have one of their half ramps also.
We have one of their ramps, and it is great. Very well made; and it was easier to train the dogs to use it than I thought it would be too.
Half ramp?
It’s just a shorter, lighter ramp for small dogs.
What a great idea for people who drive their pups around a lot! And it’s a lot safer too!
That looks really nice and safe too!
We are always buckled up. Seat belts save lives.
We haven’t used a car harness before and will check this one out. Thanks for sharing your review of what looks like a cool product to keep the fur-kids safe.
We haven’t always been good about keeping the dogs secure in the car, but we’re trying to do better. 🙂
that#s a fabulous harness for all adventureer pups and travel mates… I like the hook, it looks very solid and you can count on this hook&harness when you have to jump on the brakes once…
I hate to admit that I’ve had dogs tumble off the seat in the past! Luckily no one was ever hurt though.