Buddy Belt as Car Harness?

[gaijingirl]

What do you all think about a Buddy Belt as being a car harness? We have a Snoozer booster seat and I have been attaching the seat belt directly to Snickers's Buddy Belt, but I am worried it would not be safe enough in an accident. I wonder if it would put too much pressure in an area so small over the chest. My husband doesn't think so, but I think it seems safer to have a padded harness that would distribute the pressure over the entire chest and stomach. Any thoughts? Is the Buddy Belt just as safe as anything else that will be out there, or any other recommendations to be used specifically in the car?

[Maximo]

Full disclosure: I am a BB retailer

I have used the Buddy Belt for 4.5 years and I am comfortable using it in the car for my boys. First, I know they wouldn't fall out of it in a car accident. Second, I do not think it would cause injury because it fits close to the body, and I have swung my boys in them (like a carnival ride) when we encountered an off leash dog. I know this wouldn't equal the impact of a car accident, but it was a good indicator to me that it wouldn't hurt them.

My boys have also run full force to the end of a 30' leash and snapped at the end of the leash. No injuries or bruises.

Third, I like the hardware. The D ring is very strong and supported the weight of my big boys.

My concern for safety relates to the tether of car seats -- the length, the strength of the clip, and so on.

[Teegy]

I love my buddy belts and given the placement of them on the dog and that they are well made of leather, I would think they would be pretty darn solid

[Lil Sis]

I think they would work well

[gaijingirl]

I agree that they would be strong because of the leather....I just wondered if it would be more painful to have the pull in such a small area, as opposed to something that is spread across the body more. Then again, I guess our own seat belts put a lot of pressure in one area....but then, you hear of people getting badly bruised from seat belts after an accident and a tiny Yorkie seems so fragile!

I am also concerned about the tether. I'm not really happy with the one that came with the car seat. I like the way it attaches to the car seatbelt, but the length is not good for my dog. I am hoping to find something else.

[margiepickens]

I too use a buddy belt in the car. I also use a Pawrider and feel both of these are good and strong. Nothing is going to be 100 percent, just like a seatbelt doesn't prevent all injuries. The buddy belt just seems much stronger and seems to use very good materials.

[My lil friend]

I use a buddy belt for a carharness as well. I would love to find a tether that I considered safe. The ones that I use (cannt remember the name) did not come with the snoozer carseat. They are webbing with a karabeaner on each end. These seem to be safer than the tether that comes with the snoozer.

[jeane]

I use Morgan's buddy belt with his snoozer car seat but I agree that I don't like the tether that comes with it

[MandiesMom]

I will use mine for one simple reason. Yazmin. She is a Yorkie on here that is owned by Carla. Yazmin suffered an attempt to be stolen while on leash and wearing her BB. Carla held on for dear life!! Even while the man was being so forceful that he was kicking Carla in the stomach. But that BB was so secure, it stayed on Yazmin and in the end...2 men came and took the man down and Yazmin was safe. AND..MOST IMPORTANTLY...after examin by vet, she was UNharmed.

Sold me on the BB.

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by margiepickens

I too use a buddy belt in the car. I also use a Pawrider and feel both of these are good and strong. Nothing is going to be 100 percent, just like a seatbelt doesn't prevent all injuries. The buddy belt just seems much stronger and seems to use very good materials.

I use a chokefree harness and the Pawrider. VERY safe in my opinion!

Ultra Easy ChokeFree & PawRider Pet Seatbelt Adapter (USA)

[ironmike86]

I'm find with using a Buddy Belt. But the most important thing for you is to use something you feel comfortable with.

[YazminD]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

I will use mine for one simple reason. Yazmin. She is a Yorkie on here that is owned by Carla. Yazmin suffered an attempt to be stolen while on leash and wearing her BB. Carla held on for dear life!! Even while the man was being so forceful that he was kicking Carla in the stomach. But that BB was so secure, it stayed on Yazmin and in the end...2 men came and took the man down and Yazmin was safe. AND..MOST IMPORTANTLY...after examin by vet, she was UNharmed.

Sold me on the BB.

Thank you Terri, I was just going to give my opinion on the safety of a Buddy Belt for many reasons! After what Yazmin went through and the force that was put on her chest from that man trying to jerk her away, I will always be forever grateful that she was wearing a BB that dreadful day!
I also have a Snoozer Booster seat and use Yazmin's Buddy Belts to secure her in and feel very comfortable knowing she's safe.

[Lindzorz]

I had not heard that tale of Yazmin and Buddy Belts! Amazing! I'm glad that you were able to fight for her and keep her, and that she was unharmed! I mean, wow. Wow. That should be an official testimonial for Buddy Belt -- I guarantee they would sell even more products if more people knew this!

[yorkiemini]

I use the Buddy Belt of the Chokefree with Cali's care seat.
Having been in an accident with Cali the harness worked great as did the care seat, but the important piece was that I can turn off the airbag where she sits. When we got hit the airbags deployed which was OK for me but it wouldmp have definately killed Cali if it had deployed in front or beside her. Just sonething to throw out for consideration.

Of course, the next issue was they were going to put me in the ambulance, but take Cali to the dog shelter -- do I have to tell you about that argument

[YazminD]

Originally Posted by Lindzorz

I had not heard that tale of Yazmin and Buddy Belts! Amazing! I'm glad that you were able to fight for her and keep her, and that she was unharmed! I mean, wow. Wow. That should be an official testimonial for Buddy Belt -- I guarantee they would sell even more products if more people knew this!

Thank you, The situation was very scary. Yazmin and I were on a simple walk when a man passed by and swooped her up under his coat! If it weren't for the Buddy Belt, I know I would've had to let go to keep from harming her.
I get Yazmin's BB's from our very own YT member, Kristin (Maximo).