« The laundry | Main | Racing pug »
She's freaking out: An Outward Hound Car Seat and Pet Food Express Review
I've grown increasingly unhappy with my car.
It's a perfectly good car, but it's ill suited to handle Shelby and her fur. I've already purchased a mat to cover the back seats, which helps, but somehow this little dog manages to coat everything that is not covered by this mat in fur. I was desparate. I tried putting her in a crate, and she cried the entire trip. I tried putting her in a Sherpa bag, and she not only cried, but also tried to claw her way out. I thought maybe she was a bit claustophobic, so when I saw this elevated dog car seat at Pet Food Express, I thought I'd give it a try.
As you can see from the photo, things did not work out well. Shelby managed to tangle herself in the safety latch in the back. I had trouble attaching her to it, since her harness has 2 rings, and the safety latch only comfortably fits 1 ring. Shelby also managed to get one leg out of her harness. This is not a good thing at freeway speeds. If you want to see Shelby freaking out over the dog car seat, then continue reading...
So unfortunately, I am still on the lookout for a product that will turn my (fabric interior) passenger car into a Shelby-mobile. I've been pretty pleased with Outward Hound's affordable pet products in the past, but this one just didn't work out. I returned the car seat to Pet Food Express, and they took it back, no questions, and credited my card.
Summary:
Outward Hound Car Seat: Not so great fo Shelby, but it might work for your pet
Pet Food Express: Really great. I would shop there again.
January 10, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
Riley loves his car seat, we have the same exact one, but I've been putting him in it since he was 8 weeks old, so he's used to it. :)
Posted by: Riley's Mom | Jan 10, 2005 12:13:44 PM
Poor Shelby, my Buster would do the exact same...
Have you tried maybe just having Shelby wear a light cotton tshirt while riding in the car? You have the seat cover, so most of the hair will end up on the inside of the tshirt.
Posted by: h | Jan 10, 2005 1:33:29 PM
Lucas & Lilith (fawn boy & black girl, respectively) are both rescues, thereby being even more neurotic than your average puglet.
The ONLY way they will travel in the car is in the front seat... so I use this:
http://www.epinions.com/content_34983939716
(yes, I can disable the passenger airbag when they're in the front seat)
It's worth a shot, at least :-)
M
Posted by: Marion | Jan 10, 2005 1:39:18 PM
Thanks for the suggestions. Part of my motive for making Shelby a t-shirt was for controling her fur output. I'll have to try that in the car.
Shelby is also perfectly fine in the front seat, but I really need to save that for human passengers...like Steven for instance :)
Posted by: Winnie | Jan 10, 2005 4:36:13 PM
I have a little puglet, Brunson, and he and I both love your site!
You should try www.orvis.com. They have seat covers that are easily removed and cover the entire seat, both back and the actual seat (I hope that made sense.) They come in a multitude of colors and designs. Orvis is an extrememly dog friendly company. Also, if you don't like it for any reason, you can return it for a full refund at any time (even 2 months later.)
Posted by: Shay | Jan 11, 2005 12:00:32 AM
I just let Daisey ride in the front seat, or where ever she wants, it's easier that way! We live in a small town, so she doesn't go with us that much, but when we do take her anywhere, she has the full run of the car! She usually stays right between my husband and I in the front seat, she won't stay in a seat of her own, she does exactly what Shelby did. I think it's a control thing.........Pugs.......gotta love em'!!!
Posted by: Lisa | Jan 11, 2005 9:42:05 AM
Hi Shelby,
My peeps want me to sit in the back seet in a harness. I don't like it and I cry when they put me there unless one of them sits with me in the back real close to me. If no one is back with me, I have found a way to escape from the harness, and then I climb into the front seat. I like going places with my peeps. It's real fun.
Hugs,
Little Sheba
Posted by: Little Sheba | Jan 13, 2005 6:08:33 PM
hi i have a pug and i treat him like a baby. i want to keep him in a car seat for when i am in a car. do u know where any i can buy ? and i want to carry him into stores and places but they say he must be in a dog bag or carrier. what type should i get for him. now my pug weighs less than wha pugs usally do( h's been like that all his life ) he only weighs 14 when he supossed to weigh 16. i guess he's just little. if you can give me any info on the carriers and the car seats i would very appreciate it!!
Posted by: Corey and Rocky | Apr 4, 2005 3:05:40 PM
I really can't say. It's probably best to actually try out the carrier before buying to make sure that you and your dog are comfortable in it.
I haven't heard of doggie car seats for safety. All the models I've seen appear to focus on giving the dog a view out the window. But some do have restraints, and I know there's a doggie harness attachment for the seat belt.
Posted by: Winnie | Apr 4, 2005 7:56:41 PM
Two suggestions: 1,Static guard, all the hair easily vacuumes up 2, The previously mentioned clipping.
I have to say, I visit this site almost every day and I still find all kinds of previous posts. You have put a lot of work into this site and I just love it.
Posted by: Eric | Aug 16, 2006 12:24:58 PM
My pug is in a harness and I use his retractable leash attached to it...I then wrap the leash around the headrest and lock it so it cannot move and neither can my puggie! I can give him as much room as I want depending on who is in the car and where we are going! Works great for me and uses 2 things I already own!!
Posted by: Jackie | Mar 11, 2007 5:07:32 PM
I have been looking for the perfect carseat for my chloe and I believe I found it. I saw an article about pet safety on msn news and the gave many thumbs up for FIDO's carseat so I bought one from their website. FidoRido Pet Carseat. I just love it.
Posted by: adriean | Dec 9, 2007 7:44:09 PM
Hi, I have wanted to buy a couple of these car seats for my girls. All the info I have read says to put them in the passenger seat as they have a strap to go around the seat. I see that you have put yours in the back seat though - was it still stable etc. Is it okay to use in the back seat of the car? Thank you.
Posted by: Rachel | Jul 1, 2008 9:19:54 AM
This particular model had a strap that went around the headhest, and since I have headrests in my back seats, I figured it was OK to put it there.
However, Shelby hated this seat, so we returned it.
Posted by: Winnie | Jul 2, 2008 8:03:47 AM
Shelby is too big for that size car seat; I have a Boston Terrier, and I purchased that seat because I thought she would weigh <20 lbs, the recommended weight for that seat. She grew up riding in it, but when she reached adulthood, she was getting too big for it at 17 lbs, and I purchased the one for dogs up to 30 lbs (which has the inflatable cushion). She LOVES it, and we've never had a problem.
Posted by: Sherry | Sep 8, 2011 6:14:27 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.