Optimus Gear

I normally don't write reviews, but this is an exception. Everything about this harness's design and construction is flawless. It's obvious how much careful thought has gone into finding the perfect balance between the three basic issues: Ease of connecting the harness to the seat (with our squirmy, post-surgery, 80-pound teenaged German shepherd) while allowing enough freedom of movement so he can sit, lie down, and move his body comfortably, while still restraining him enough to keep him safe. Although he is able to easily lie down, sit, or turn enough to enjoy the window's breeze, during our first ride I realized he was no longer bumping forward and backward when the car braked hard, and I could see how much more comfortable he was than with the previous harness we had used. The use of the seatbelt's shoulder strap so that it functions in the same way it does for humans - allowing movement unless there is a sudden stop, in which case it locks - is such a brilliantly simple idea, it's hard to believe other harnesses don't take advantage of this. But they don't, and I did a ton of research before settling on this. And lastly, the harness itself is extremely comfortable for him, very quick and easy to put on – definitely an issue for our impatient youngster - and has the same thoughtful design. A sturdy 6-inch strap with a leash clip on one end and the clip that connects to the seatbelt connector on the other makes switching from leash to car extremely simple. As well, the connection to the harness swivels side to side as well as up and back – again an oh-so logical idea but one I don’t see in other dog equipment, reducing leash tangles and allowing more freedom of movement for the dog. All the clips are large, easy to quickly grasp and open/close (crucial for arthritic hands like my own), and heavy duty – they will easily outlive both the dog and myself! One more aspect I enjoyed is that, again due to the well-thought-out design, there is plenty of room for me to sit in the backseat with him.

I Originally bought a small as we had a new puppy. I did not see the upgrade option on the website.
8 months later and our dog is a little larger and heavier than we anticipated. I called Crash Safe and they could not have been more accommodating. They upgraded me to a medium and I just paid the difference for the upgrade option. I will definitely buy the harness system again with our next dog!

Lets talk about the obvious reason you are smart enough to be here reading reviews.

Stop and think about you and your family securely strapped into your vehicle when the unthinkable happens and you are struck at speed on a highway for what ever reason. You guys belted in are safe as its going to get but Spot is not hence air born and two things happen.

Spot is a spot on the highway as she/ he was ejected or one of you has Spot as a new part of your body. The instant a movable object hits an immovable object 20 to 100 lbs of ricocheting dog is flying around in that vehicle unrestrained behind you and your kids.

I come from years of wilderness back country trekking so I know kit. I had some years militia training so I know kit. Over 30 years in law enforcement including search and rescue, tactical emergency response team working with K9s and countless investigations of highway fatalities as a uniform officer. I retired from a Regional Intelligence Unit where one of my assignments was predicting highway fatalities which I could do. I was in the death business so I can talk about it.

You guys are seated and strapped, your center of gravity is lower and your car is designed to keep a human in it not a dog. A dog is up higher so the center of gravity is higher where all the window glass is. I guarantee you in a roll over Spot is air born and out of the car if you are lucky, not something I would feel particularly lucky about nor I expect would you.

Also understand most seat belt safety systems involve explosives, tiny ones. Enough such that when your 80 kph vehicle meets a stationary tractor trailer bumper there is an explosive detonation within the seat belt you can't see. This causes an immediate retraction of your belt so you remain within the designated safety zone of your vehicles air bags and compression features.

Spot does not have that. I have been to too many roll overs, end for end, side by side or simply vehicles cut in half in a collision and seat belts/ air bags work.

I went looking for a seat belt system for my service dog and after reviewing several I was ecstatic to find Canadians make these and I am not left to the mercy of some Asian Amazon knock off. In life we get what we pay for. Quality costs money. I don't know about most dogs but a service dog is known to cost 20 to 30 grand. If you are in here looking for a system for your service animal or just your fuzzy friend for life what does a vet bill cost on a good day let alone one where you are racing to an emergency room for your pancaked dog? Friend that is a very long ride, take my word for it, if you can even get Spot there in time.

I will guarantee you another thing, this Crash Safe Dog belt is pretty cheap then compared to what that vet bill will be. Or worse the heart break of failing a friend who relies on you for everything. I particularly like how easy the seat belt system set up was to install. The detail and instructions are clear enough the dog can do it alone. For a service dog handler that seat tether system connection that connects my lead to her vest is perfect. She is secure in the vehicle and she is secure getting out of the vehicle as she is under control at all times; bad things happen very fast even on the shoulder of a highway. You are a magnet to distracted drivers so secure the dog.

Lots of harness colours to pick and the custom engraving was handy as velcro patches wear out or get lost. Lastly this is a Canadian family business that actually gives a darn about you and your animal. I actually read the pages of awesome reviews and I concur. The customer service was exemplary, the dialogue was very helpful and I can say I was treated very well.

$400 bucks is cheap insurance for my $20,000 dog and counting. A dog I could never replace nor could I face myself in the mirror knowing she was not there as I was too cheap to buckle her up.

Rest assured I have plenty of sleepless nights but none of those nights will ever be as a result of my dog not being right beside me as I was not willing to keep her as safe as I can make her. Driving on the high speed highways now is like something right out of the 1975 Norman Jewison movie Rollerball. Without the right kit its not if bad things will happen, its when.

If you really want to save money buy this harness. When your animal looks at you with love and admiration you have truly earned it.

Cannot say too many nice things. The harness itself is very well made. My dog is right between the smallest size and the next larger, and I purchased the small one...alas it was too small. Returned it and was contacted by one of the great people (A__ you know who you are) who helped me measure my dog to make sure we got the right size. You really cannot get better service or a better product. If you love your canine companion don't be tempted by the cheap stuff on Amazon!

The pink vest is our second purchase. The color rocks, btw!
The Defender Harness is the only equipment that protects and helps literally center and stabilize our dog in the car. This has helped a lot with her motion sickness as well.
We appreciate the stellar customer service, the intelligence and the thoughtfulness that went into creating the harness kits. We hope more people become aware of and invest in your life-saving products.