Whether a walk or a car ride, every trip you take with your dog should include safety gear. More than 45% of dog owners who travel with their dogs do not have any safety gear.
Worse still, a more considerable percentage of the drivers allow their pets into the front seat. Only a jaw-dropping 16% have a safety system set up for their dog.
Many dog owners are confused by the dog crate vs harness debate. Other renowned discussions around this topic include dog crate vs. carrier, dog crate vs barrier, and dog crate vs seat belt.
The following are facts that can help you make your decision.
Dog Crate Vs Harness
Also referred to as an indoor kennel or a cage, a dog crate is a secure and safe area where your dog can go for a short period for safety or training.
These wire or plastic frames have removable trays at the base. The tray provides a more comfortable surface for you to lay the beddings, thus providing comfort to your dog.
A dog harness works like a collar, but it distributes the pressure across the dog’s torso instead of its neck. Dog harnesses have hooks in the front or back for a leash. Harnesses are for walking a dog and controlling the pet while outdoors.
Dog Crate Vs Carrier
You typically leave dog crates in place in the home, but you’ll use a dog carrier to transport the pet from place to place. Dog carriers are for smaller dogs rather than larger breeds like German shepherds or labs.
Dog carriers have handles or shoulder straps for carrying the dog. They’re common for travel and trips to the veterinarian.
Dog Crate Vs Barrier
A dog barrier is a way of restraining a dog inside a vehicle that offers them more mobility than a carrier. Dog barriers are usually metal, mesh, or other fabrics that block the dog’s access to the front seat.
Dogs should never sit in the front or be allowed to sit on a driver’s lap for safety reasons. A dog barrier prevents a dog from jumping into the front seat and keeps it safely in the backseat or cargo area.
Dog Crate Vs Seat Belt
A dog seat belt holds a dog in place the same way a regular seat belt secures a person into the seat. The product is a safety harness designed to work with the existing seat belt or an attachment for a standard harness to hook into the seat belt device in the car.
Many dog harnesses meant for walking can work with a vehicle’s seat belt, but harnesses designed for seat belts are heavy-duty and more protective.
Comparison of Dog Crate Vs Harness Vs Carrier Vs Barrier Vs Seat Belt
In a dog crate vs harness comparison vs other safety restraints, the best solution depends on the size of your dog and what level of control you want.
Dog Crate
Dog Harness
Dog Carrier
Dog Barrier
Dog Seat Belt
ADVANTAGES
Some dogs will feel more secure in a crate
Good for training at home and giving a dog a place to sleep
Distributes the pull of a leash across a dog’s torso instead of around its neck
Makes it easier to control a dog than a leash and collar
Easy for carrying small dogs
Carriers provide comfort for the pet and handles or straps for easy transport
Keeps dogs from jumping into the front seat or starting the driver
Allows dogs more room in a cargo area or back seat
Dog won’t be thrown into the back of the front seats in a sudden stop or collision
A seat belt keeps a dog as secure as a seat-belted adult or child in a car seat
DISADVANTAGES
An accident or sudden stop can throw dogs against the sides of a dog crate
An unsecured dog crate can become a projectile during a collision
Need a designated place in the home for a dog crate
Harder to put on than a collar
Some dogs might take time getting used to a harness
An accident or sudden stop can send an unsecured carrier flying
Not good for large breeds
Dogs aren’t secured in place
An accident can still send dogs flying into the barrier, seats, or sides of the vehicle
Long trips might require more frequent stops to allow the dog more movement
Some dogs might feel nervous and try to get to the front seat or move in other ways
BEST FOR
The best uses for a dog crate include:
Training
Sleeping
To provide a secure place for the dog in the home
The best uses for a dog harness are:
Walking
To avoid pressure around the throat
For all small dogs and flat-faced dogs prone to tracheal collapse
Use a dog carrier for smaller dogs in these situations:
Traveling
Short trips, like to the vet
Dog barriers work well for:
Keeping a dog in the backseat or cargo area
Preventing a dog from jumping into the front seat or driver’s lap
Keeping a dog from flying into the front seat in a sudden stop
The best uses for dog seat belts are:
To secure a dog in a car
To limit the dog’s movement while traveling
To keep the dog from being thrown in into the back of the front seats
ADVANTAGES
Dog Crate
Some dogs will feel more secure in a crate
Good for training at home and giving a dog a place to sleep
Dog Harness
Distributes the pull of a leash across a dog’s torso instead of around its neck
Makes it easier to control a dog than a leash and collar
Dog Carrier
Easy for carrying small dogs
Carriers provide comfort for the pet and handles or straps for easy transport
Dog Barrier
Keeps dogs from jumping into the front seat or starting the driver
Allows dogs more room in a cargo area or back seat
Dog Seat Belt
Dog won’t be thrown into the back of the front seats in a sudden stop or collision
A seat belt keeps a dog as secure as a seat-belted adult or child in a car seat
DISADVANTAGES
Dog Crate
An accident or sudden stop can throw dogs against the sides of a dog crate
An unsecured dog crate can become a projectile during a collision
Need a designated place in the home for a dog crate
Dog Harness
Harder to put on than a collar
Some dogs might take time getting used to a harness
Dog Carrier
An accident or sudden stop can send an unsecured carrier flying
Not good for large breeds
Dog Barrier
Dogs aren’t secured in place
An accident can still send dogs flying into the barrier, seats, or sides of the vehicle
Dog Seat Belt
Long trips might require more frequent stops to allow the dog more movement
Some dogs might feel nervous and try to get to the front seat or move in other ways
BEST FOR
Dog Crate
The best uses for a dog crate include:
Training
Sleeping
To provide a secure place for the dog in the home
Dog Harness
The best uses for a dog harness are:
Walking
To avoid pressure around the throat
For all small dogs and flat-faced dogs prone to tracheal collapse
Dog Carrier
Use a dog carrier for smaller dogs in these situations:
Traveling
Short trips, like to the vet
Dog Barrier
Dog barriers work well for:
Keeping a dog in the backseat or cargo area
Preventing a dog from jumping into the front seat or driver’s lap
Keeping a dog from flying into the front seat in a sudden stop
Dog Seat Belt
The best uses for dog seat belts are:
To secure a dog in a car
To limit the dog’s movement while traveling
To keep the dog from being thrown in into the back of the front seats
Dog Crate
Crate-trained dogs might be more comfortable in a crate similar to the one they’re used to sleeping in or staying in when alone in the home. Crates are a good option for large dogs you’ll keep in the back or cargo area of a vehicle.
Here are some examples of dog crate products:
Dog Harness
Harnesses come in different types, styles, and shapes. However, just like the crates, they focus mainly on safety and durability. A good harness should be easy to clean, comfortable, and adjustable.
You should be able to put two fingers beneath all the straps of your dog’s harness to ensure it’s not too tight, but you shouldn’t be able to pull it off over the dog’s head. Look for harnesses with padding designed for use inside a car if you plan to use a dog seat belt.
Some harness sample products include:
Dog Carrier
Dog carriers make it easy to take smaller dogs to the vet or on trips. While a harness and dog seat belt provide utmost security in a vehicle, some dogs are nervous in cars and benefit from the smaller, protected feeling offered by a dog carrier.
A couple of sample dog carriers include these models:
Dog Barriers
Dog barriers can be set up in the home like a baby gate to keep a dog in one room or area, but the term usually refers to barriers for vehicles. These keep dogs out of the front seat and keep them confined to a backseat or cargo area of the vehicle.
Examples of dog barriers include:
Dog Seat Belts
Dog seat belts can range from clip attachments that fit any dog harness and connect to the car’s seat belt assembly to specially made harnesses for seat belts. We recommend models designed for use as seat belt harnesses.
Here are some sample dog seat belts:
Conclusion
When trying to figure out the benefits of a dog crate vs harness, consider that no product works in every situation. You can have a dog crate, dog harness, dog carrier, dog barrier, and a dog seat belt. Each one works best in certain circumstances.
We hope you’ve found this article informative and helpful. Leave us a comment if you have any questions!
