Champion Canine Seat Belt - Floating Chest Pad

One of the unique features of the Champion Canine Seat Belt System is the cushioned, floating chest pad. The pad allows the top of the harness to slide to each side, helping to prevent injuries as well as creating a more comfortable ride for a squiggly rider.

In the past several weeks, I have seen that it definitely does make for a more comfortable ride for Elaine. She does not get tangled in the harness when she turns around in the backseat. It also helps that I hook the restraint strap over the backseat onto the child car seat anchor. That keeps the strap from twisting around her legs.

Initially, I thought the floating chest pad was just a neat feature, maybe even a marketing gimmick. I did not think it was such a big deal. Now, I can appreciate the difference it makes to Elaine's comfort. It allows the harness to be pulled down the side of her deep chest without twisting the harness under her -- the chest pad stayed on the chest, not pulled to the underarm.

The cushioned, floating chest pad --- another reason why the Champion Canine Seat Belt System is one of our favorite vehicle safety restraint systems.

Champion Canine Seat Belt System

This is the second seat belt we are reviewing for our series on vehicle safety restraint systems. Champion Canine Seat Belt System is comprised of a heavy-duty harness and a restraint strap to attach to the vehicle's seat belt or cargo hooks.

This is one of the better seat belt system we've tried with Elaine. However, before we go any further with the review, it is important that we address the biggest weakness or flaw with the system --- the ordering. If you do an online search for Champion Canine seat belt, www.champk-9.com tops the result list. Do NOT use that website. One of the most common complaint found in the online search is the poor customer service and slowness in receiving the product (if you receive one at all). Very few complaints were with the product itself. Apparently, there are currently 2 very similar sites online: www.usaK9outfitters.com and www.champk-9.com. The latter is the bad one. The site still takes your orders but will not process / ship the products. Fortunately, as far as we can tell, you are not charged for the products if they have not shipped them. We placed an order in March 2009 and have been monitoring for any charges.

If you are interested in the Champion Canine Seat Belt System, go to www.usak9outfitters.com for ordering and information. Please note that when we researched this system in 2009, champk-9.com was one of the "good" site to order at the time. Hence, we recommend that you call the contact number to make sure you can reach a person before ordering. That does not guarantee anything but, at least, you will know it's a current active site / business. We have called usak9outfitters (303-343-0406) a couple of times the past several months and have always been promptly assisted by a very nice lady named Susie.

Ordering / Purchasing Experience: 2/5
This was rated 0/5 due to the above ordering problems with www.champk-9.com. Initially, we received an email stating the product was on back-order. But after that, we were never able to contact them again: emails were not answered and all voicemail options were full. However, once we contacted www.usak9outfitters.com, the customer service was great and the products were delivered in less than 2 weeks. Hence, we upped the rating to 2/5. Wish the company itself can do something to get their information higher on the web search so less people are led to the bad champk-9 address.

Appearance: 4.5/5
The adjustable harness is made of 1.5 inch (about 3.7 cm) wide nylon webbing. It has a simple but sturdy look. The high rating has more to do with the color choice (black, red, and royal blue) and the reflective Moonglow colors.

Ease of Use: 4.5/5
If you can get your dog into a body (walking) harness, you can get him/her into the Champion Harness. It's just a little more tricky because of the heavy hardware. Elaine was startled by the clanking of the D-rings.
The website has instructions on how to use the restraint strap in your vehicle. We also found a very well-done guide complete with pictures and tips on how to use the strap.

A minor drawback is that the heavy double D-rings may be too big for most regular leashes. You can order a Champion Lead or a universal lead adapter to attach to the D-rings then hook your regular leash to the adapter.

Safety: to be determined
As with the Roadie, we need to use this system a little longer to determine it's safety -- hopefully, not in a real crash. We want to see how Elaine tolerates the system. The floating chest pad is designed to allow the top of the harness to rotate down the side of the chest. We will see if that feature will keep Elaine from tangling with the harness and strap when she twists and turns around in the car.

Cost / Value: to be determined
The large harness for Elaine was $45 + $7.95 for shipping. It is the most expensive of the harnesses we've tried but well worth it if it helps keep us all safe in the car.

Overall First Impression:
Other than the ordering frustration, we like the Champion Canine Seat Belt system. The weight of the D-rings and the need for an adapter to use with our regular leash is a minor trade-off for a sturdier and, hopefully, safer product.

Ruffrider Roadie Elite

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The first canine safety restraint harness to be reviewed is the Ruffrider Roadie Elite. The company is coming out with a newer model later this year so supply for this model is limited. It is still available at several online outlets. We purchased ours from Amazon.com for $24.99, shipping included.

Ordering / Purchasing Experience: 4.5/5
Some of the harnesses are not available locally, purchases are often made without being able to try them on your dogs. Ruffrider has good demonstrations and sizing chart to help with your purchase.

Elaine weighs about 54 pounds; her girth (around her chest, just behind her front legs) measured 28 inches which placed her at a Roadie Elite size 5. Size 5 fits Elaine well.

Appearance: 4/5
We like the look of the harness. The width of the straps are 1.75 inch wide (4.5 cm) and are more comfortable than the narrow straps. The harness feels sturdy. The elastic band that goes on the chest between the front legs is thick. However, we wonder if that band will stretch and be the weak point of the harness over time. There are no buckles on this harness, lending to a smooth, and slender light fit. Only color available is the black with red Neoprene lining.

Ease of Use: 3/5
We may adjust the score after we get used to the harness. But from a new user's perspective, the Roadie Elite is not an easy harness to put on your dog. As noted above, there are no buckles. This is not a "step in" harness with a buckle on the back. You have to put the harness over your dog's head then pull the front legs through the openings. Sounds simple and looks simple in the demonstration video. But here is what it looks like when I tried to put the Roadie Elite on Elaine for the second time (I did not do it right the first time, more on this later). The videos are done with a camera so the audio is not very clear but you can see how it may be difficult for some dogs and people.

As you saw, getting that second front leg in can be tricky. The degree of flexion --- bending at the elbows and carpi ("wrists") --- needed to get the legs through the openings will make it difficult for older dogs or those with joint problems. Ruffrider had a Geriatric Roadie but discontinued them a while back.

We reviewed the online demonstration and found that pulling the legs through the openings work better than pushing them through. That worked a little better and even only after wearing the harness 3-4 times this past week, Elaine seemed to be better with the twisting and pulling.

It should be mentioned that when I put this harness on Elaine for the first time, I got one of her leg into the wrong opening.

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That, in effect, hobbled her front legs to her chest/neck causing her to flip backward when she threw her head back.

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Fortunately, Elaine stayed calm after that and I was able to remove the harness. So be careful when you first try the harness on your dog. Visualize where the legs are going (as I had to do in the second video above).

Taking the harness off is also not as easy as unbuckling it. The below video was the third time taking the harness off this past week. I'm sure it will be easier as we get used to the routine (and not have to worry about blocking the camera).

The Roadie Elite had points docked for difficulty in putting on / taking off the harness. The rest of the Ease of Use test was fine. It has a short attached lead for walking to the car.


(Click on image to enlarge) The harness can be buckled in with the car seat belt, threading through the opening on the harness back. It can also be secured with a carabiner or other safety restraint system via the heavy D-ring at the end of the strap.







Safety: to be determined
No independent crash test reports are available, but compared to other harnesses, the wide straps and buckle-less (the buckles can be weak points) features of the Roadie Elite should provide for safer rides. Ultimately, the safest harness is one that you will use and your dog will tolerate in the car. We plan to use the different harnesses in the next several weeks before scoring the safety aspect.

Cost / Value: to be determined
For $24.99, the Roadie Elite is in the middle cost range of the harnesses we are reviewing. Whether it is worth the cost is dependent on the safety and use.

Overall First Impression:
Despite the misadventures of learning how to put it on, Elaine and I like the Roadie Elite and look forward to test driving it the next few weeks.

Next to be reviewed is the Champion Canine Seat Belt System.

Preview: Canine Seat Belts & Safety Restraint Systems

We are excited about our next product review, comparing some of the canine seat belts and safety restraint systems. As with the cat litter comparison, we plan to look at several systems and go over how one may be better than another for certain pets. A system that is ideal for a toy Chihuahua may not be appropriate for a 95-pounds Chocolate Lab.

Meet Elaine, my Pit Mix. She will model most of the harnesses and test them out as we cruise around town the next couple of months.

Elaine is sweet (to people she knows) but she is not exactly well-trained. That should make things interesting as we score the ease of which we can put each harness on her --- and keep her restrained in my Ford Focus hatchback.

Kobi, my mother's Poodle Mix, will help out with one of the harness system. As noted in our disclaimers and disclosures, we purchased these harnesses ourselves so we might as well get Kobi a new one. After all, how many harnesses does Elaine really need??

Elaine in her Four Paws Safety Seat Harness

Four Paws Safety Seat Harness is Elaine's current car harness. Elaine is a bit of a wiggle worm in the car and constantly gets the harness twisted as she tangles with the seat belts. Thus we started this search for another safety system --- almost a year ago. Yes, almost a year ago. We got held up waiting for the Champion Canine Seat Belt. You will have to read about it in the Champion Canine review but please note the warning about the websites below.

We plan to review the following harnesses:

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• RuffRider Roadie Elite (reviewed here)
  
• Champion Canine Seat Belt System (*** The sites look similar, but Do NOT order from champk-9.com; use usak9outfitters.com. See the review later for details) (reviewed here)
  
• BeBop Secure Fit Harness
• Easy Rider Harness
• Four Paws Harness

On first impression, the Roadie Elite and the Champion Canine Seat Belt System are the main contenders but each have its own drawbacks. We will review those two and the BeBop Secure Fit Harness in separate blog posts, followed by the Easy Rider and Four Paws Harness in one brief write-up. The conclusion will compare the different products to help readers decide which system may be a good match for their pets.

Pet Goals for 2010

Did you make any New Year's Pet Resolutions?

Popular New Year's pet resolutions are similar to our traditional goals: lose weight, more walks (exercise), eat better.

There is one resolution that costs you almost nothing but will go a long way towards providing better care for your pets.

Resolve to be a proactive partner in your pet's health care.

That sounded fancier and more intimidating than it needs to be. As with most things, there are different levels of involvement. It is laudable if you research every pet products, read (and understand) the pet food labels, know why puppy mills are bad, and are aware of the changes in vaccine protocols.

No, we are not suggesting that everyone should make that part of their New Year's Resolutions. That level of participation require a commitment and training that may be too much for some of us. Let's start with baby steps.

Resolve to be more aware of your companions' conditions and to bring that information to the veterinarian(s).

A major part of the office visit and consultation is your pet's subjective history and information provided by you. The veterinarian uses that information along with the physical exam findings and medical history to evaluate your pet's health. Without your information, the veterinarian will be working with an incomplete history and you will get less value for your consultation.

For wellness or routine general check-up, be prepared with the following information:
1) Have you notice any coughing, sneezing, or vomiting? If yes, how long has it been going on?

2) How are the stools? Diarrhea? Constipation? Report any straining, change in colors, shapes, and consistency. When did you first notice the change(s)?

3) Any change in the water intake? More than usual or less than usual? For how long?

• To make it easier to monitor this, try changing / filling the water bowl(s) at least once daily. Over time, you will notice if the bowls are emptying faster or slower.

4) Have you noticed any urination problems? Straining to urinate? More frequent urination? More to scoop out of the litter box? If yes, when did you first notice the change?

5) Any change in his appetite? Eating more than usual? Eating less? If yes, when did you first notice the change?

• If you have to use a gravity feeder or if your pets are fed free-choice, establish a set routine so you have an idea how long it takes for the food to go down.

6) What is the current diet? How much and how often is he fed? Any diet changes?

7) Any change to his behaviors or activity levels? Any change in his environment? New pets? New family members?

8) Make a list of all medications, supplements, flea control products or bring them to the appointment (a good incentive to having a pet care box containing all the medications and pet products).

9) Bring a list of questions or concerns you collected since the last visit (including any visits to a different clinic). A pet diary or journal can help collect these tidbits. If you have a wall calendar in your kitchen, a quick scribble works just as well. The eye discharge or lameness that happened one morning and was gone by the end of the day, etc...

10) Be on time for the appointment to make sure you have plenty of time to discuss things with your family veterinarian.

Once you get used to the questions, the list will not look as complicated. Another level of involvement is needed when your pet is sick. For now, start with this small resolution and get involved with your pet health care.

In the United States, a valid veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) must exist for a veterinarian to provide medical advice and administer therapy. The most effective VCPRs call for participation from all three: veterinarians, clients, and patients (pets). Take control of what is in your control. Be an active part of the VCPR.

Keeping Pets Safe Through the Holidays

It’s the time of the year where families and friends get together to celebrate the coming of the new year. In the hustle and bustle of last minute preparations, you have many people to see and places to go. Let’s not make the veterinary emergency hospital be one of them. There are unexpected illnesses, sudden deterioration of chronic illnesses, etc… but more often, the below problems land more pets in the emergency room than anything else --- problems that are avoidable with a little foresight.

You may have extended families and friends visiting the next few weeks. Some of these guests may not have pets of their own and may not be familiar with the below dietary precautions. Instead of making sure that they give "acceptable" snacks, it may be better to request them to not give any at all.

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Then designate someone in the family to do the feeding. Too much of a good thing can upset Baby's stomach after the fourth person treat her with some pot roast.

When it comes to holiday feast, remember:
* Any food that your pets are not accustomed to --- too fatty, too spicy, too rich --- can lead to intestinal upset and/or pancreatitis. It is best to avoid the following:
- No fatty parts and no skin (poultry, pork)
- No bones, period. Cooked ribs, chicken or turkey bones may seem like a good holiday treat, but they can splinter and cause obstruction or serious injury to the intestines. Some people may recommend raw beef bones (knuckle bones or oxtails) which are “safer” than poultry bones. But we still see patients with intestinal upset (not necessarily intestinal obstruction) from the raw beef bones so we can’t recommend them.

Instead, treat your pet to some lowfat chicken broth over the regular dry food. Or if you want to share your dinner, add a few morsels of boneless, non-fatty meat, green beans, or potato in their food bowl. Just to be safe, stay away from onions and garlic. We don’t know if your pets are sensitive to them. Remember, these are given as treats or to add flavor to their regular diet --- they are not to replace the usual meal. Do not treat your pets to a whole “holiday meal.” You may do more harm than good.

- No chocolate for pets.
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, is poisonous to dogs. With the increasing popularity of diet or sugar-free baked goods and sweets, keep that basket of cookies, candies, and chewing gums away from your pets.

Other holiday hazards include:
- Tree & Decorations: Tinsel can twist up the intestines. They are especially dangerous to cats and kittens who tend to play and eat them. Ornaments, if swallowed, can cause intestinal obstruction. Ornament hooks can also get caught in pets' mouths. Use short string / yarn loops, 1 inch or shorter, to hang ornaments (like tinsel, long loops can cause obstruction if swallowed). Even the water at the base of the tree contains secretions that can cause a stomachache. Unless you are there to supervise, it is best to make the tree off-limits; use barriers or have the tree in an area where you can block off access.

- Poisonings: Ivy, holly, mistletoe, hibiscus, poinsettia, lilies and Christmas greens can all cause gastro-intestinal upset if ingested in certain amounts. Some of them can be toxic to animals. Place holiday plants high off the ground. And if you have acrobatic cats, leave the plants in a room where the cats can’t get to them.

- Guests: Boisterous friends and families can frighten pets. Stressed out Fifi may not appreciate having loud kids petting and pulling on her. Designate a quiet and secure room for your pets’ retreat. And if there’s risks of your pets taking off when the door is left open, make sure they have ID collars and/or are microchipped.

Just like us, some pets may be stressed by the holidays. Stress can manifest itself in many ways: behavioral problems, loss of appetite, and excessive grooming to name a few. The problems can lead to serious medical issues such as hepatic lipidosis or “fatty liver” in cats. Contact your veterinarian or the emergency services for advice at early signs of problems --- before they become costly and life-threatening illnesses.

We know it's important enough to warrant repeating each year, but holiday pet safety is one of our least favorite post because it seems so negative. Don't do this. Don't give that.

As we near the end of 2009, we want to leave this year in a more positive note. So here is something you can do to treat your pets, keep them safe, let them know how much you love them, get you into the cuddling holiday spirit, put the biggest grin on your face, and best of all, it costs you nothing!

Hugs! and more hugs!

Wishing you and your family a safe and joyous holiday season!

Disclaimers and Disclosures

This blog is written and edited by the staff of The Family Vet. The contents are meant to be informative, entertaining, and educational. They may be used to supplement information received from your family veterinarian. The details contained in the blog posts are NOT meant to diagnose nor treat illnesses absent of a valid current veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Always seek your family veterinarian's opinion before using advice mentioned in this blog.

This blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. Unless otherwise noted, reviews are done on products we purchased ourselves; not given, donated, nor borrowed from the products' companies.

The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. We will only recommend products or services that we believe, based on our expertise and experience, are worthy of such endorsement. Results from products and services reviewed by us are our opinions only; your results may vary. No guarantee is implied with our reviews.

This blog may contain content which might present a conflict of interest. Reviews may be done on products and services that we offer to clients and the public from our clinic. Advances in veterinary medicine often lead to differing standard of care among veterinary practices. Certain contents may be influenced by our background, experience, and belief in what is considered quality care for our clients and patients.