Doggie seat belts or crates safest?

[Patrick]

After a drunk driver hit my car, it rolled and smashed out the windshield. Both dogs escaped , with one being hit and killed as it ran up the highway. So i am looking into a seatbelt for the remaining dog. I hear some use crates, others use harnesses. Which are safest? Most effective? thanks

[Traci]

Gosh, Patrick, I'm sooooooo sorry, what a horrible tragedy.

Just personal opinion, but for small-breed dogs, I would prefer seat-belt type (or dog-style car seats)...for larger dogs, crates. You know you can search hundreds of pet-sites for varying sizes, types, dividers to use in vans/SUV's/etc...If you have a smaller car, a crate may not be applicable for a larger dog.

[Guest]

Iam so sorry you lost your dog. Wha a trajedy.

For my 50 lb Queensland Heeler and my deceased 135+ lb Rottie, good results were from the heavy duty harnesses plus a very short leash type strap that was made to loop through the seat belt of the back seat. I would be afraid to use a crate because it would not secure the dog.

[momPaws]

I use the same system as Guest - harness with short leash thru seat belt. I has restrained her on sudden stops, but thank goodness we haven't had to test it on anything worse. The bonus is that if I have to go into a store, etc...she stays in the back seat...I leave her enough room to move across the seat and look out both windows.