Safety

If you’ve never put a muzzle on your dog, it sounds like punishment. The reality is different. A well-fitted muzzle lets your dog pant, drink, and take treats while preventing the one thing that could get them banned from the dog park or the vet’s office entirely. Three types exist, and they’re not interchangeable. Basket muzzles allow full panting and drinking — essential for any session over a few minutes. Fabric muzzles are lighter but restrict the mouth fully, so they’re for short-term use only. Grooming muzzles target the specific problem of a scared dog who doesn’t want their nails clipped. Fit matters more than most people realize: too tight and your dog can’t pant; too loose and they can work it off. ...

A dog bouncing around your car is a distraction. A 50-pound dog in a sudden stop becomes a 2,000-pound projectile. That is why every safety organization, from the Center for Pet Safety to the ASPCA, says you need to restrain your dog in the car. But finding a restraint that actually works is harder than it should be. Some clip to collars (neck injury risk). Some have buckles that pop open on impact. Some are not crash-tested at all. We tested six restraints with a range of dogs and driving conditions to find the ones that actually keep your dog safe. ...

Taking your dog in the car seems simple enough. They hop in, you drive off. But anyone who has tried to brake hard with a 20-pound dog standing on their lap knows it is not that easy. A booster seat turns your back seat into a safe, comfortable spot where your dog can sit up, look out the window, and stay put. We tested twelve booster seats with a range of small and medium dogs over six weeks. Here is what worked, what did not, and which ones we would actually buy. ...