Traveling with your beloved canine companion should be a joyous experience, but safety must always be paramount. Introducing our innovative Car Boot Lead, a revolutionary pet travel accessory designed to provide unparalleled security for your dog while on the move. This versatile and adjustable lead acts as a crucial restraint, tethering your dog securely within your car, van, camper van, or motorhome.
Engineered for ease of use and maximum protection, the Car Boot Lead is designed to connect to any sturdy anchor point in your vehicle, including floor and rear seat anchors, and even the Isofix bar. This reliable connection ensures your dog remains safely restrained, minimizing distractions for the driver and preventing potential injuries. The adjustable nature of the lead allows you to customize the length, offering your dog a comfortable range of movement without compromising their safety. Investing in this restraint is a proactive step towards safeguarding your pet and ensuring a more focused, secure drive.
Enhancing Vehicle Safety with a Dog Harness
For optimal safety during car travel, it is strongly advised to utilize a dog harness specifically designed for vehicles, rather than relying on a collar or head collar. Not all harnesses are created equal, and it is essential to select one that fits correctly and is well-constructed for automotive use. A reliable car boot harness should feature a wide chest section to help distribute impact forces in the event of sudden stops or collisions. Wide webbing provides crucial support, enhancing your pet’s comfort and minimizing potential injuries.
Furthermore, a robust car harness will exhibit substantial stitching capable of withstanding the forces encountered in an accident. Reputable manufacturers often provide crash-testing details, demonstrating their product’s effectiveness. A sturdy, heavy-duty D-ring on the top of the harness is vital for securely attaching the car lead, ensuring your pet remains safely restrained throughout the journey.
Key Features and Usage of the Car Boot Lead
The Car Boot Lead boasts several key features designed for the modern pet owner:
- Enhanced Safety: Significantly improves safety during car rides for your dog.
- Universal Attachment: Compatible with most car models, ensuring versatility.
- Effortless Installation: Designed for quick and hassle-free setup.
How to Use:
- Securely attach the trigger hook to an Isofix point or a sturdy fixing post in your car.
- Connect the trigger to your dog’s harness D-ring.
- Adjust the lead to ensure your dog’s comfort while maintaining security.
- Keep your dog positioned close to the seat to minimize movement during transit.
This restraint is exclusively designed for dogs and must be used with a well-fitted car harness and a vehicle anchor point.
Compliance and Durability: Built to Last
Safety is the cornerstone of our design philosophy. The Car Boot Lead adheres to Rule 57 of the Highway Code, meeting stringent standards for securing pets during car journeys. Furthermore, to guarantee exceptional quality and durability, our lead has been rigorously tested and certified according to the BS EN ISO 6892-1:2016 standards.
Crafted from premium 19 mm polypropylene, this lead offers unparalleled reliability and comfort. We prioritize your dog’s well-being, creating a product that balances comfort with secure restraint, allowing your furry friend to remain comfortable while safely tethered. This design, conceived in 2009 and continuously improved over 14 years, boasts an exceptionally low return rate, a testament to its enduring quality and effectiveness. Traveling with your dog has never been safer or more enjoyable.
Understanding the BS EN ISO 6892-1:2016 Standard
The BS EN ISO 6892-1:2016 standard relates to the tensile testing of metallic materials. While this lead has been tested to withstand 178 kilos of force (1750 N), it is crucial to understand that this is tensile testing, not crash testing. We are committed to transparency and providing data that reflects the love and care invested in our products, especially those critical for your dog’s safety. The lead is constructed with bonded nylon thread, certified to Öko-Tex Standard 100, vegan, and possesses high tenacity nylon 6.6 for outstanding strength and durability, including anti-microbial properties.
Securing Your Dog in the Car Boot: Best Practices
The Car Boot Lead was specifically developed to prevent dogs from jumping out when car doors or boots are opened. It can be attached to the car boot floor via an anchor point or headrest, with adjustable length to prevent escape. However, if a dog guard is not in use, your dog might still access the back seat. Always prioritize safety and use the lead responsibly to minimize risks, ensuring it’s correctly adjusted to prevent escapes.
Highway Code Rule 57: Ensuring Safe Dog Travel
Rule 57 of the Highway Code mandates that drivers must ensure proper restraint for dogs or other animals in vehicles. This is crucial to avoid distractions while driving and prevent potential injuries to both the driver and the animal. Effective methods include using seat belt harnesses, pet carriers, dog cages, or dog guards to ensure they are secure during car travel.
The Car Boot Lead vs. a Car Seat Belt
While often referred to as a “dog seat belt,” our Car Boot Lead functions similarly but with a critical distinction: it must always be attached to a dog car harness, never to a collar or head collar. This ensures the restraint is used effectively and safely.
The Inspiration Behind the Car Boot Lead
The concept for the Car Boot Lead originated in 2009 from observing a common and distressing problem: owners struggling to safely unload their dogs from vehicles due to unrestrained pets. Tragically, this sometimes led to dogs running off and suffering accidents. As no similar product existed at the time, the Car Boot Lead emerged as a pioneering solution, offering a sturdy and reliable alternative to existing, less secure options.
Crash Testing and Harness Safety
Extensive research into car harness testing, particularly by the Center for Pet Safety in the USA, highlights the critical importance of crash-tested gear. While our Car Boot Lead enhances safety by preventing dogs from jumping out, it is not a crash-tested harness itself. For car safety, always pair the lead with a suitable, properly fitted car harness. It is important to note that our Marty Harness is designed for walking and has not undergone crash testing.
Legal Implications of Unrestrained Dogs
While not always a strict legal requirement, allowing a dog to travel unrestrained can lead to significant penalties, including fines of up to £2,500. Failure to use proper restraint measures could also invalidate your insurance and be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Top Tips for Stress-Free Car Travel with Your Dog
Preparing for car travel with your dog involves thoughtful planning to ensure a comfortable and safe journey.
Essential Items to Pack:
- Doggy travel bag with blankets for their designated area.
- Fresh water and sturdy containers.
- Fold-flat bowls for easy serving.
- A high-quality car harness or car lead (plus spares).
- Any necessary medications.
- Emergency veterinary contact numbers.
- Planned route with safe stopping points.
- Poop bags (plenty, plus a spare sturdy bag).
- Spare collar and leash.
- Copies of vaccination cards.
- Grooming kit, including a tick remover.
- A small medical kit with bandages.
- A suitably sized soft, fold-flat cage.
- Bedding and blankets.
- A favorite toy.
- ID photos of your dog.
- Confirmation of up-to-date microchip details.
Key Travel Planning Considerations:
- Plan for regular toilet and food breaks.
- Never allow your dog on a car seat without a restraint; they could interfere with driving or escape during an accident.
- Incorporate breathers for everyone to stretch their legs.
- Be mindful that dogs cannot ask for potty breaks like they do at home.
- Be aware of nearby veterinary clinics.
- Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle, especially in hot weather.
- Secure windows to prevent escapes.
- Always tether your dog in the car when stopping in unfamiliar places to prevent escape when doors or the boot are opened; a crate offers added security.
- Acknowledge that car travel can be stressful for some dogs and cater to their needs.
Further Information on Car Restraints for Dogs
Car lead restraints, commonly known as car harnesses or seat belt restraints, are vital for the safety of both dogs and passengers. These restraints help prevent dogs from moving freely around the vehicle, which can be dangerous and distracting for the driver.
Types of restraints include:
- Traditional Harnesses: Specifically designed for car travel with padded chest plates and adjustable straps.
- Seat Belt Tethers: Shorter leads with clips for harnesses and car seat belt receptacles.
- Crash-Tested Harnesses: Rigorously tested for effectiveness during accidents.
- Doggy Seat Belts: Straps with clips that attach to a dog’s harness and the car’s seat belt system.
Always use car lead restraints in conjunction with a properly sized and fitted harness. Follow manufacturer instructions and consult professionals if you have concerns.
Awards and Design Rights
The Car Boot Lead proudly received the SILVER award for Best Product Accessories & Technical at the Petquip 2020 awards. The design, created by Sarah Gleave in 2009, is protected by Design Application Numbers 5004057 (August 15, 2016) and 6023644 (December 15, 2017).
