Car rides can be a fun adventure for your dog, but it's crucial to prioritise safety. Just like humans, dogs need to be properly restrained to prevent accidents.
A loose dog can be a major distraction while driving, and in case of an accident, a restrained dog is less likely to be injured.
There are lots of different solutions on the market including dog guards, crates and headrest tethers but if you’re looking for a plain and simple solution to restraining your dog in the car, then one of the Kong range of tethers is worth a look.
Kong's credentials need no introduction, the brand behind the iconic dog toy, and makers of the best-in-class car boot liner, we were keen to test their range of tethers.
We tested both KONG tethers over several weeks of daily journeys with Freddie our Cockapoo, including motorway and short local trips.
⚡ QUICK ANSWER ⚡KONG Ultimate Safety Tether - Best for back seat use, maximum control KONG Cargo Swivel Tether - Best for boot use, more freedom of movement Both attach to ISOfix. |
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Strictly speaking, there is no specific law in the UK that makes it a criminal offence to have an unrestrained dog in the car. However, before you breathe a sigh of relief and let Rover ride shotgun, it's not quite that simple.
Under Highway Code Rule 57,(GOV.UK) dogs must be suitably restrained in a vehicle so they cannot distract the driver or injure themselves or others in an emergency stop or accident. Failing to do so could see you pulled over for driving without due care and attention, which carries a fine of up to £5,000 and potentially nine penalty points on your licence.
Your insurance company may also take a dim view. If you're involved in an accident with an unrestrained dog in the car, you could find yourself facing a reduced or rejected claim.
And of course, beyond the legal and financial consequences, the safety case is really what matters most. An unrestrained dog in a 30mph collision can become a projectile with a force equivalent to their body weight multiplied many times over. It's not a pleasant thought, but it is a very real one.
The good news is that restraining your dog properly really doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, which is exactly what this review is all about.
First we take a closer look at the Ultimate Safety Tether which works in the back seat of your car.
For me (and for most people, I suspect), the key to restraining your dog in the car, is to keep them safe whilst allowing them room to lie or sit comfortably without getting tangled whilst you drive.
As the Kong Tether works with your ISOfix system (just like a baby seat) it ticks all the safety boxes.
The photo above shows how it fits in your car using the ISOfix points. If you're unsure if you have ISOfix points in your car go take a look.
ISOfix has been standard on all new cars since the mid-2000s so there is a high chance, your car will have it fitted.
It's fully adjustable to the size and type of car seats and we found it incredibly simple to install, adjust and remove.
The carabiner then attaches to your dog's harness. You can adjust the carabiner strap slightly to take account of the size of your dog and we love that it swivels freely so your dog won't become entangled if they move around on the seat.
Once in place, your dog will be unable to move from seat to seat. We found in testing, that compared to some tethers that attach to your car seatbelts or headrests, your dog's movement is more restricted to the centre of the seat. So you can drive, safe in the knowledge that they won't end up in the footwell or on another seat.
Whilst it definitely ticks all the safety boxes, there are a few points to bear in mind before you buy one.
Firstly, you will need to double check that your car has a top tether point on the back of your rear seat. And secondly, because it uses this tether point, it's only suitable for use in the rear of a car, you can't use it in the front seat.
Always bear in mind that both solutions are designed to attach to your dog's harness never their collar.
Overall, we prefer the Ultimate Safety tether to other tethers on the market because it's well designed, super easy to adjust to your dog and your car and comes at a great price.
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Does your dog launch out of the boot like an exocet missile when you open it ?
What you need my friend is a Kong Cargo Swivel Tether to prevent your dog from jumping out of the car until you're ready.
The tether attaches to your ISOfix system on the rear of your back seats.
The swivel carabiner and double webbing ensure that although your dog is secure, they can move around and get comfortable without getting tangled up. This is really important because you can't see your dog in the boot so you need to know they will be comfortable and won't come to harm, however long your journey.
It attaches via a high-quality metal carabiner to the D ring on your dog's harness.
The tether itself features an inertia shock absorber. Simply put, when your dog pulls or jerks on the tether, the inertia shock absorber stretches or compresses, absorbing the force and preventing sudden jolts. This could be invaluable in the event of a crash.
Multiple dogs ? There are two or three ISOfix points in the boot, so you could secure multiple dogs.
Alternatively, you can use this tether in the back seats of your car. Attaching to the ISOfix baby seat fixings at the base of the seat.
Exceptionally quick to install and easy to remove, the strap is adjustable so you can shorten or lengthen it to suit your dog and space. However be aware that your dog will have considerably more room to move around than with the Ultimate Safety Tether featured earlier.
One of the key benefits of using the Cargo Swivel tether as opposed to tethers which attach to your car seat belt, is that your dog can't stand on the seat belt button and accidently release the tether ( Yes it has happened!)
During testing, we found that the Ultimate Safety harness kept our dog on one rear seat whilst the Cargo Swivel Tether allowed our dog to sprawl across all three rear seats. There's no right or wrong, it's just down to your preference and how much freedom you want to give your dog on journeys.
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If you're still travelling with your dog unrestrained in the car, these two KONG tethers are probably the easiest and most affordable way to change that today.
Both are well designed, genuinely simple to install and remove, and offer a level of security that a standard seat belt clip simply can't match.
The ISOfix connection is the key difference, it's the same system that keeps a baby seat in place, which tells you everything you need to know about how seriously KONG take the safety brief.
Our preference for back seat travel is the Ultimate Safety Tether. It keeps your dog where you put them, which we think is exactly what you want when you're concentrating on the road.
The Cargo Swivel Tether is the one for boot use, the shock absorber is a genuinely clever piece of design, and the freedom it gives your dog to move and settle on longer journeys is a real bonus.
If we're being honest, the only question you need to answer before buying is where your dog travels back seat or boot. Once you know that, the choice makes itself.
Both are available from Dog Gear with free shipping, and at their price point, they represent outstanding value for what is ultimately a very important purchase. After all, you wouldn't drive without a seatbelt. Your dog deserves the same thought.
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Looking for other options to keep your dog secure in the car?
We tested the Allax dog crate from Thule and recommend it as a super safe alternative to a dog guard.
Ultimately their dog crate range has been designed with SUVs in mind and as you'd expect from Thule, the Allax dog crate has been rigorously crash tested in their Thule Test Center where they recreated rear-end collisions, front collisions and even roll-over scenarios.
Packed with nifty features, it's the crème de la crème of car dog crates, uniquely designed and well built, but you'll need deep pockets !
If you're interested , why not read our in-depth review - Crash Tested Confidence: Thule Dog Crate Review
If you're interested, the Car Safe harness featured in the photos is fully certified crash tested.
We recommend it because it's incredibly easy to fit with two side release clips. The straps, breathable mesh and the stitching are all top quality.
The chest plate is extra padded for comfort and the straps are wide so don't dig in or rub. The harness also has a D ring on the front and back, so you can connect your lead and head off for a walk when you reach your destination.
Available in four sizes with a handy sizing guide available online, it takes into account the chest, neck and the weight of your dog to help you select the best fit.
Is it illegal to drive with an unrestrained dog in the car in the UK?
There is no single specific law that makes it a criminal offence, but do not let that lull you into a false sense of security. Under Highway Code Rule 57, dogs must be suitably restrained so they cannot distract the driver or cause injury in an emergency.
Get it wrong and you could be looking at a careless driving charge, a fine of up to £5,000 and points on your licence. Your insurer may also refuse or reduce a claim if your dog was unrestrained at the time of an accident. The law may be grey but the consequences are not.
What is the safest way to restrain a dog in a car?
The safest solutions are those that connect to your car's ISOfix system rather than a standard seatbelt. ISOfix is the same anchoring system used for baby seats, so it is built to withstand serious impact forces.
A quality ISOfix tether paired with a crash-tested harness gives your dog the best possible protection. If you travel with your dog in the boot regularly, a crash-tested crate such as the Thule Allax is the gold standard, though it comes at a premium price. Whatever you choose, always attach to a harness and never to a collar.
Can I use a dog tether with a collar instead of a harness?
Please do not. Attaching a tether to a collar rather than a harness is dangerous and could cause serious neck injuries to your dog in even a minor collision or emergency stop.
A well-fitted harness distributes any force across your dog's chest and shoulders rather than their neck. If you do not already have a good travel harness, it is the first purchase to make before worrying about which tether to buy.
Does my car have ISOfix points?
Almost certainly yes, if your car was manufactured after 2004. ISOfix has been a legal requirement on all new cars sold in the UK since November 2014, and was widely fitted from the mid-2000s onwards.
You will usually find the rear ISOfix points between the seat cushion and the seat back, often marked with a small ISOfix logo. Boot ISOfix points are typically found on the back of the rear seats. If you are unsure, check your car's handbook or search your make and model online.
What is the difference between the KONG Ultimate Safety Tether and the Cargo Swivel Tether?
Both tethers attach to your car's ISOfix system and both clip to your dog's harness via a swivel carabiner, but they are designed for different positions in the car.
The Ultimate Safety Tether is designed for back seat use and keeps your dog more contained to one seat area.
The Cargo Swivel Tether is designed primarily for boot use and gives your dog considerably more freedom to move and settle. It also features a clever inertia shock absorber which absorbs sudden jolts, making it particularly well suited to longer journeys. In short, back seat travellers need the Ultimate, boot travellers need the Cargo.
Which is better, a dog guard or a tether?
Both do a job but they do different jobs. A dog guard keeps your dog contained to the boot area but does nothing to prevent them being thrown around inside the boot in a collision. A tether actively restrains your dog and limits their movement in an impact.
For maximum safety, a tether wins. For dogs who travel in the boot and need more space to move freely, a tether combined with a good boot liner is our preferred setup. If safety is your absolute priority above everything else, a crash-tested crate is the ultimate solution, and we review the best option in our Thule Allax Dog Crate Review.
Thanks for stopping by and reading our review of Kong safety tethers, we hope you found a solution to keeping your dog safe on the road.
Claire is the founder of Smart Bark and a lifelong dog lover.
With a 10 year background in retail buying for one of the UK’s major retailers, she brings a keen eye for quality and value to every dog product review.
Claire personally tests every item featured on Smart Bark with her own family dog and her team of dog testers—so you get honest, expert advice (not recycled marketing blurb) from someone who truly understands what works in real life (and what doesn’t).
No gimmicks. Just trusted recommendations backed by experience.
