Setting a New Standard for Crash Tested Dog Seat Belts and Restraints
When we began designing Bark Belt, we realized we couldn’t rely on existing crash test standards to guide us. Not because safety wasn’t a priority in the industry — but because there simply wasn’t a comprehensive, measurable framework for testing pet restraints.
So we created one.
The B.A.R.K. Standard — short for Biomechanic Anthropomorphic Restraint Kinetics — is a new canine crash test protocol that brings together biomechanics, data, and real-world relevance. It’s inspired by the rigor of child passenger safety standards and developed to reflect the unique anatomy and injury risks of dogs.
Why a New Standard Was Needed
Today, most crash-tested pet restraints are evaluated using a method known as the excursion test . This measures how far a dog dummy moves forward during a crash simulation. If the dummy stays within a certain distance, the restraint “passes.”
But this test doesn’t measure:
The forces experienced by the dog
Whether those forces could cause head trauma , chest compression , or whiplash
The durability of the restraint during the full duration of a crash
Whether the dog makes contact with harmful surfaces
It’s a starting point — but it’s far from a full picture.
To create a more complete standard, we needed better tools.
We Developed Custom Crash Test ATDs To Capture The Accident Data We Need
The traditional dog crash test dummies used in excursion testing are not instrumented. They provide visual data (how far did the body move?) but no measurable insights into injury risk.
So we developed our own.
Each Bark Belt test dummy is:
Modeled after canine anatomy
Equipped with internal sensors in the head, chest, and spine
Built to detect deceleration , impact duration , and rotational force
Designed for repeatable testing in lab conditions
These dummies allow us to collect meaningful data — not just on whether the dog stays restrained, but how well they are protected.
With That Data, We Built the B.A.R.K. Standard
Since no one else had done it, we did.
Working with biomechanical experts and referencing FMVSS 213 (the standard for child car seats), we created the B.A.R.K. Standard :
Biomechanic Anthropomorphic Restraint Kinetics.
It’s a set of five measurable variables designed to reflect the actual physics of a crash:
Head Injury Criterion (HIC): Measures head acceleration and risk of brain trauma
Whiplash Reduction: Tracks deceleration between head and chest
No Contactable Surfaces: Ensures no hard impact points
Structural Integrity: Restraints must hold up under 2,000+ lbs of force
The B.A.R.K. crash test standard follows the same methodology that is found in both human and child restraint crash testing. Requiring real, tangible measurement and injury prevention for the dog.
From Product Testing to Industry Benchmark
The B.A.R.K. Standard began as a way to evaluate the safety of our own system — but we believe it can, and should, serve as a broader benchmark for restraint design and testing.
It’s repeatable
It’s measurable
And most importantly, it’s grounded in biomechanics , not marketing
Looking Ahead: A Safer Future for Dogs on the Road
No restraint can eliminate risk entirely. But with the right testing tools and the right standards, we can design systems that meaningfully reduce it.
At Bark Belt, we’re committed to continuous improvement — and to transparency in how we approach safety. Whether other brands adopt the B.A.R.K. framework or develop their own, our hope is that more companies will build with real data , so that more pets travel protected.
Because safety should be more than a sticker. It should be a promise backed by proof .
