by Pamela Madden
We love taking our Tibs when we travel, whether it’s a quick run across town or a driving vacation. It’s important to strap your Tib into a harness and carseat for their safety, just as you would a child. If you need help understanding how to do that, here are some illustrated instructions.
For American Cars 2003 and Newer
In September 2002, US automakers started following the ISOFIX standard of installing anchors in the seats for restraining child safety seats. These same anchors can – and should – be used to restrain your Tib while it’s in its dog carseat.
This is a Petbuckle® Kwik-Connect tether. It’s what we use for our Tibs, and after experimenting with numerous tethers, we decided this was, by far, the safest.
The connector on the left end connects to the anchor in your car. The clip on the right end will connect to your Tib’s harness.
Step 1 – Locate Anchor
Locate the anchor in your backseat, where the backrest meets the seat.
Step 2 – Connect Harness Tether
Connect the tether to the anchor point
Connected tether
For American Cars 2002 & Older
Very few cars built before 2003 have the ISOFIX anchors. You can still tether your Tib’s harness to the backseat seatbelt. This is actually the most common method because it’s the least expensive. There are many styles of tethers that are to be used this way. This particular one has plastic buckles, which are not recommended. (This one is being used for illustration purposes only.) Look for tethers with metal buckles. The plastic ones can be found in most pet supply stores; however, they’re less expensive than the metal ones because they aren’t made nearly as well, nor are they as safe.
This type of tether snaps around the seatbelt. The clip on the right will be connected to the harness.
Step 3 – Install Carseat
Most carseats have a “groove” along the bottom where the car’s seatbelt can run through and buckle on the other side. You’re ready to connect your dog carseat.
Run the seatbelt through the bottom of the carseat.
The seatbelt buckles on the other side of the carseat.
Step 4 – Put Tibbie in Harness
The harness used for riding in the carseat should have metal loops – not plastic – for connecting to the harness tether.
Casey’s harness has been buckled; now you can see the rings that will connect to the harness tether.
Step 5 – Put your Tibbie in Carseat
The tether is now clipped to the harness.
Step 6 – Enjoy the Ride
Casey and Bono all strapped in and ready to ride!