Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I like to take my dog with me whenever possible, and she likes to go with me. I had read the study where they tested the safety of various dog harnesses in a crash simulator, and it wasn't pretty- the only one to pass was the Sleepypod Clickit Utility Harness. I looked into that, but it required the LATCH system, looked about as complex as installing a baby seat every time you strap your dog in, and required the dog to sit in the back seat. I knew I wouldn't use it. Still, I was concerned for my dog (and mine, since a flying dog can be a huge hazard in an accident!) given how much she rides with me. I discovered and ordered this harness a little less than a month ago. I was happy to see that it was tested by the Center for Pet Safety and is the only dog harness certified by this organization. I got it in time to test it out a few times before a long trip to visit family, which is good because I used it wrong the first time (they send a neat little diagram that is very clear- I just forgot to consult it right before I hooked her up!). How it works for the car: it is a typical step through harness that latches in two places (sort of behind the neck/shoulders for the parts originating from the chest and on the top of the back from the parts originating behind the front legs). Between these two connecting straps are two other straps that go horizontally (sort of along the ribs) to connect the two, one on each side of the dog. These straps remain somewhat loose and you simply slide your seatbelt through them, securing the seatbelt to the entire harness as opposed to at one point like many harnesses do. I'll be honest- my dog doesn't love it as she was used to complete freedom, but she tolerates it pretty well. One note: I tried to put it on my dog inside for fitting and getting her used to it. It did not go well, which gave me some concern about how easy it would be to use on a regular basis (several times a week). However, after a few uses, she now voluntarily puts her legs through the holes and lets me hook her up with no problems whatsoever. She can lie down and sleep if she likes. Is it more inconvenient than having her hop in and go? Sure. But I feel like we're both safer, and it's convenient enough that it's tolerable to use often. Another note: my dog got very upset when I put it on her while standing at her door because she kind of got stuck facing whichever way she's facing when I hook it up, and she likes to face me when I'm driving. Something to consider (which way your dog would prefer to face- you can have front and left or front and right, but probably not all three). I do use this in the front seat. The website does not say, this page does not say, but it does say in the instructions I received with the harness to use in the rear seats. I don't see how it makes a difference because the seatbelts are the same in the front and back, but I suspect it is more related to the back seat being generally safer, as well as the potential airbag issue. My car has a sensor for the airbag- I don't know what the weight is to employ the airbag but it must be over 40lbs since that is what my dog weighs, so I feel okay about her in the front seat. If the dog does set off the airbag sensor or if you do not have a sensor, the rear seat might be a safer option- airbags can be deadly. For what it's worth- I got the medium for my 40lb border collie mix. I have had to tighten the straps a lot, so I would say it runs a bit big. The literature that came with the harness says that the medium is rated up to 45lb for safety. I think this was the correct size for her. Using the guide and her measurements, she was almost in the range of a small, but I'm glad I went with medium because the small is only rated up to 25lb. I have not used it as a walking harness- she has walked around in it a few times when we made a short stop before getting back in the car and it was okay, but I would not use it as a primary walking harness. Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase. I feel that my dog is safer and it is convenient enough to use that I actually do use it.