Studies show that seatbelts save lives – according to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), 64 of people killed in car accidents were not wearing a seatbelt. For this reason, and due to the enforcement of seatbelt laws, most people wear seatbelts while driving and while riding in the cars of others. However, many people neglect to follow the same precaution with their dogs, allowing their dogs to roam freely inside the cab of their vehicle and endangering their lives, though it is simple to protect them using a safety system. Think about it – the average Labrador Retriever weighs approximately 60 to 75 lbs, which is the average weight of an 8-year-old child. An unrestrained Labrador would receive the same trauma that an 8-year-old child not wearing a seatbelt would in an accident. We wouldn’t let our children ride without seatbelts, so we should make sure we “buckle up” our precious companions as well. Owners can do this with the help of a specialized restraint system.
While seatbelts did not always exist for dogs, this has changed in the recent past with the invention of canine vehicle safety systems. One excellent canine restraint system is the Ruff Rider “Roadie,” which is manufactured by Ruff Rider Products, LLC. Animal training sessions can help animals get accustomed to using the system. The Roadie's tensile strength exceeds the Society of American Engineers’ tensile strength standards for human seatbelts of 5,000 pounds. In addition, when creating the “Roadie,” consideration was given to the forces that occur in all directions while traveling in the car in both normal and emergency situations. Thus, this system was manufactured with great attention to all things that could go wrong and injure a dog while he is a passenger in a vehicle.
Canine vehicle safety systems can be purchased from many pet supply stores. The “Roadie” offers 5 models to choose from, and they manufacture systems that fit dogs ranging in weight from 7 to 160 lbs. Make sure to choose the right size for your dog as proper fit is essential in maximizing the efficacy of the system. Also, read all manufacturers’ instructions for adjusting and applying the harness to your canine. Be patient during the first few tries as your dog may resist being strapped down. Some patience and training by you will be necessary to accustom your pooch to being belted in. However, while applying the harness may prove tedious at first, it can make a world of difference in the event of an accident.
