ISO Herculean Dog Hammock
February 8, 2021 12:24 PM Subscribe
Help! We recently adopted a new doggie (yay!) who is a ping-pong ball in the car (boo!) … All the dog hammocks I looked at online look like they are made for ultra-chill, ultra-small doggies who stay quietly where you put them and never move. I would like to take my dogs to the park without them getting injured or my car turning into a rolling shag carpet.
New dog is around sixty pounds, about a year old, and bounces around like crazy in the car. Other dog is about seventy pounds and about four. Older dog, who never moved around that much, still managed to destroy the first car hammock I had, a plastic thing from TJ Maxx. Both dogs are short haired, but shed exuberantly, and I would rather keep the hair out of the upholstery in the first place than have to crawl around coaxing it into a vacuum cleaner. The hammock tore around where the straps attach to the headrests. Looking online for something more durable, no matter the price range, all I seem to find are more hammocks that have the same silly straps, plus reviews where people complain that they fell apart after just a short period of use (or even in some cases, when they were being installed). I would really like to find a product that can withstand moderate use by two large-but-not-humongous, energetic dogs. Foolishly, I tried one trip with the two of them without any car hammock, just a blanket. New dog tore the blanket off the seats in about two seconds. Please recommend sturdy dog hammocks for cars given this scenario. Thanks.
New dog is around sixty pounds, about a year old, and bounces around like crazy in the car. Other dog is about seventy pounds and about four. Older dog, who never moved around that much, still managed to destroy the first car hammock I had, a plastic thing from TJ Maxx. Both dogs are short haired, but shed exuberantly, and I would rather keep the hair out of the upholstery in the first place than have to crawl around coaxing it into a vacuum cleaner. The hammock tore around where the straps attach to the headrests. Looking online for something more durable, no matter the price range, all I seem to find are more hammocks that have the same silly straps, plus reviews where people complain that they fell apart after just a short period of use (or even in some cases, when they were being installed). I would really like to find a product that can withstand moderate use by two large-but-not-humongous, energetic dogs. Foolishly, I tried one trip with the two of them without any car hammock, just a blanket. New dog tore the blanket off the seats in about two seconds. Please recommend sturdy dog hammocks for cars given this scenario. Thanks.
All my Kurgo car accessories have been really good quality and keep things clean and safe. I also have to use a dog seatbelt; I have the Kurgo belt and harness set for that because neither my previous nor current dog would STAY in the back seat regardless of hammocks/barriers.
posted by assenav at 12:47 PM on February 8, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by assenav at 12:47 PM on February 8, 2021 [5 favorites]
I have not used this product exactly, but Duluth trading Co knows what they're doing in terms of quality and the hanging hardware on their dog hammock looks really solid.
Also, you didn't ask about seatbelts, but my ping-pong dog is contained well with this one. Highly recommended.
posted by mosst at 1:00 PM on February 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
Also, you didn't ask about seatbelts, but my ping-pong dog is contained well with this one. Highly recommended.
posted by mosst at 1:00 PM on February 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
With dogs of that weight you are best off with seat covers rather than a hammock. They are just too heavy to be able to work a standard hammock.
Also I VERY STRONGLY suggest you get harness style pet restraints because in a relatively minor accident dogs of that size stand not only a very strong chance of injuring themselves, but also stand a reasonable chance of killing you when they fly around inside the car during said accident. Even a relatively low speed accident. Decelerating a 60lb mass quickly using the back of your seat (or your head) will be a bad day for all involved.
posted by Brockles at 1:38 PM on February 8, 2021 [5 favorites]
Also I VERY STRONGLY suggest you get harness style pet restraints because in a relatively minor accident dogs of that size stand not only a very strong chance of injuring themselves, but also stand a reasonable chance of killing you when they fly around inside the car during said accident. Even a relatively low speed accident. Decelerating a 60lb mass quickly using the back of your seat (or your head) will be a bad day for all involved.
posted by Brockles at 1:38 PM on February 8, 2021 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: To clarify: I haven't considered a doggy seatbelt because I'm afraid that might injure a dog that wants to jump around, like they'll get a leg caught in it wrong and break it or something. This dog surges around with not much thought for where his legs are going. However, I'm open to the idea if they are effective. Certainly I don't want him to fly to the front of the car in an accident. Thank you for the suggestions!
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 1:39 PM on February 8, 2021
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 1:39 PM on February 8, 2021
For a dog that size, if you can crate them that is the safest way to transport them, for their safety and yours. Not all cars are going to hold 2 L/XL crates so you may have to crate the jumpy one and harness (or get a mesh barricade for the front seats) the other.
You may also need to do some training just to calm down some in the car. But some dogs, especially ones with sighthound-esque visually-triggered prey drives, are just really squirrelly when moving at supercanine speeds.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:47 PM on February 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
You may also need to do some training just to calm down some in the car. But some dogs, especially ones with sighthound-esque visually-triggered prey drives, are just really squirrelly when moving at supercanine speeds.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:47 PM on February 8, 2021 [1 favorite]
I purchased a Kurgo Wander Hammock two years ago, primarily because the straps that attach to the headrests are removable from the hammock. Straps ripping from the hammock has been the breaking point for every other dog hammock I have used.
The hammock has had almost daily use with my 70 lb. hound/lab mix in the back seat of my car, who also wears a Ruffwear Load Up Harness. After about 3 months of use with the hammock, one of the grommets ripped away slightly from the canvas (it still worked fine). Just last week, the zipper broke when using the center zipper, so I used some extra-large safety pins to hold it closed, but am now looking for a replacement.
I've had good experiences with Orvis dog products but am trying to determine if there is a better/cheaper option than the $150 Orvis hammock.
Hope you enjoy your new pup!
posted by bCat at 1:58 PM on February 8, 2021
The hammock has had almost daily use with my 70 lb. hound/lab mix in the back seat of my car, who also wears a Ruffwear Load Up Harness. After about 3 months of use with the hammock, one of the grommets ripped away slightly from the canvas (it still worked fine). Just last week, the zipper broke when using the center zipper, so I used some extra-large safety pins to hold it closed, but am now looking for a replacement.
I've had good experiences with Orvis dog products but am trying to determine if there is a better/cheaper option than the $150 Orvis hammock.
Hope you enjoy your new pup!
posted by bCat at 1:58 PM on February 8, 2021
We use this harness for our dog. The seat belt feeds through a pair of straps that ride high on the dog's shoulders, and the fit is supposed to be tight enough to allow the dog to sit, stand, or lie down but otherwise not move around too much. I don't think it would be possible for your dog's legs to get tangled in it.
My one complaint is that the front clasp straps can loosen a little bit when the leash is attached and the dog pulls, so we don't use that feature anymore (leash stays on the collar).
posted by backseatpilot at 2:54 PM on February 8, 2021
My one complaint is that the front clasp straps can loosen a little bit when the leash is attached and the dog pulls, so we don't use that feature anymore (leash stays on the collar).
posted by backseatpilot at 2:54 PM on February 8, 2021
The biggest helper when it comes to using the hammock has been filling the footwells while the hammock is in place. If the dogs are able to stand on something (I use a combination of filled boxes or rolly suitcases and towels) when they're closer to the front seats, the straps on the headrest don't have to carry the weight of the dogs. The dogs are supported from underneath as they are when they stand on the seat. I aim for creating an extension of the seat that goes up to the back of the front seats. I fill the seam with towels and dog blankets so that it feels uniform underfoot. It's a bit of an extra bit of work, but it takes so much strain off the hammock straps while also making the pups more comfortable. It's absolutely necessary for longer road trips. I also use doggie seatbelt clipped to the harness. Our pups have never gotten tangled and the length of the seat belt allows them to move a bit and also lie down. This is more of a safety thing, but I think that being somewhat constrained also makes them feel more secure.
posted by quince at 6:03 PM on February 8, 2021
posted by quince at 6:03 PM on February 8, 2021
To clarify: I haven't considered a doggy seatbelt because I'm afraid that might injure a dog that wants to jump around, like they'll get a leg caught in it wrong and break it or something
A good dog seatbelt doesn't give the dog room to move much beyond sitting or lying down. The goal is to prevent the dog from moving around the car, either in the case of a collision (in which case you want the animal to move as minimally as possible to prevent whiplash) or because of the possibility of distracting the handler.
I currently use a Kurgo hammock mostly to keep my car from becoming filthy on jaunts to hiking trails, a Sleepypod Clickit Sport for my older dog, and a Kurgo Journey harness/seat belt for the young cattle dog (with the seat belt run through the back loop for grabbing with hands, not through the attached "seat belt loop" with carabiner). When we can afford it, the plan is to buy him a Sleepypod Terrain. My spouse has been really interested in car safety for some time, and while the Sleepypod gear is pricey as fuck (I watch Craigslist for used gear!), it's also the only gear that crash tests its product for dogs of all sizes--including large dogs like yours. My hammock is great and it certainly keeps my car clean and the dogs seem to find it comforting, but I would not rely on any hammock or gate to keep a determined large dog in the rear of a vehicle. It is safer for everyone for dogs to be restrained or crated while driving.
I really hate the Clickit Sport as a walking harness because the padding interferes with the movement of the dog's shoulder joints, and I don't care to use the clips on it to attach leashes to; I prefer hooking my leash to flat collars in any case unless I'm doing something like playing fetch on a long line where I think the dog might throw herself at the end of the lead. So when I'm driving the dogs out to hike, I usually leave the seat belt harnesses in the car and apply it only when it's time to load the dogs up.
posted by sciatrix at 6:05 PM on February 8, 2021
A good dog seatbelt doesn't give the dog room to move much beyond sitting or lying down. The goal is to prevent the dog from moving around the car, either in the case of a collision (in which case you want the animal to move as minimally as possible to prevent whiplash) or because of the possibility of distracting the handler.
I currently use a Kurgo hammock mostly to keep my car from becoming filthy on jaunts to hiking trails, a Sleepypod Clickit Sport for my older dog, and a Kurgo Journey harness/seat belt for the young cattle dog (with the seat belt run through the back loop for grabbing with hands, not through the attached "seat belt loop" with carabiner). When we can afford it, the plan is to buy him a Sleepypod Terrain. My spouse has been really interested in car safety for some time, and while the Sleepypod gear is pricey as fuck (I watch Craigslist for used gear!), it's also the only gear that crash tests its product for dogs of all sizes--including large dogs like yours. My hammock is great and it certainly keeps my car clean and the dogs seem to find it comforting, but I would not rely on any hammock or gate to keep a determined large dog in the rear of a vehicle. It is safer for everyone for dogs to be restrained or crated while driving.
I really hate the Clickit Sport as a walking harness because the padding interferes with the movement of the dog's shoulder joints, and I don't care to use the clips on it to attach leashes to; I prefer hooking my leash to flat collars in any case unless I'm doing something like playing fetch on a long line where I think the dog might throw herself at the end of the lead. So when I'm driving the dogs out to hike, I usually leave the seat belt harnesses in the car and apply it only when it's time to load the dogs up.
posted by sciatrix at 6:05 PM on February 8, 2021
I got this hammock from Amazon for my 75 lb dog. It has openings to attach a harness 'seatbelt' which is just a short strap to keep the dog from flailing generally or falling in an accident. The strap isnt long enough to get tangled around legs or necks. Mine came with the chest harness I got at PetSmart, it will say on the package if it's made to be a car harness.
posted by ananci at 12:07 PM on February 10, 2021
posted by ananci at 12:07 PM on February 10, 2021
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posted by misskaz at 12:42 PM on February 8, 2021