Dog Crash Testing 101: What You Must Know to Protect Your Dog
TL;DR - We Ran the First Data Backed Dog Seat Belt Crash Test Study. Keep Reading for Full Results
Most pet restraints labeled “crash tested” rely on outdated standards that don’t measure real injury risk. So we built custom dog crash test dummies, ran side-by-side tests, and collected actual impact data. The results? Every system has trade-offs. Some reduce forward momentum. Some contain movement. None are flawless. But now, for the first time, dog parents can see the data and make informed decisions — not marketing-driven ones.
The current crash test standard is flawed and we fixed it. The current canine crash test standard DOES NOT REQUIRE brands to measure accident forces or impact data on a dog’s body
Dog crash testing needs measurable data, just like human crash testing-so we developed our own custom dummies
Some restraints measured over 10,000lbs of sustained force applied to the dog's body
Bark Belt is proposing a new standard that is rooted in data and science
Two Years Ago Our Crash Testing Journey Began
When we launched Bark Belt, our goal was simple: make car rides safer for dogs.
We assumed there would be a robust safety framework for pet restraints — something similar to what’s in place for humans and children. But what we found was a fragmented system with inconsistent terminology, limited testing, and little data transparency.
It quickly became clear that “crash tested” does not mean the same thing as “safe.” So we set out to better understand the real risks dogs face in cars — and to build a new testing approach rooted in data and biomechanics.
What Is the Current Crash Test Standard for Dogs?
Most pet restraints labeled “crash tested” are evaluated using a single method called the excursion test . It measures how far a dog dummy moves forward during a crash simulation. If the dummy stays within a specific zone and avoids hitting the front seat, the product passes.
But this test doesn't measure:
Whether the restraint reduces injury
If the dog’s head or chest absorbs excessive force
How the body responds to rapid deceleration
It’s a limited tool — useful for understanding containment, but not protection.
The Data Gap: Why We Built Our Own Dummies
As we dug deeper, we realized that the standard dog crash test dummies used across the industry lack sensors and do not collect impact data. They show movement, but not internal force. So we built our own.
Working with biomechanical engineers, we developed custom canine crash test dummies equipped with:
Sensors in the head, chest, and spine
Accelerometers to capture deceleration and impact force
Anatomical fidelity to better reflect real-world outcomes for dogs
These dummies allow us to measure how a restraint performs during impact — not just whether it keeps the dog in place.
With New Crash Dummies, Testing Just Our Products Wasn't Fair-So We Tested Other Top Crash Tested Dog Products
We crash tested:
Bark Belt (with and without our harness)
Leading competitor harnesses
Crash-rated crates
An unrestrained dog dummy (for baseline comparison)
And we didn’t just watch what happened — we measured it.
Even at 30mph, a restrained dog can experience forces of over 19,000 pounds. Many systems allowed direct head or chest impact with the vehicle cabin, even while technically “passing” under the old standard.
Test Results Are Shocking, No Dog Can Survive This Accident-Should This Be the Test We Use?
Humans Are Desensitized to Speed, Even a "Minor" Accident Can Be Deadly for Your Dog
One of the most eye-opening things we learned during our crash test research? There’s no such thing as a “minor” car accident — at least not for your dog.
According to NHTSA data, the most common crash type is a frontal collision — the kind that happens at low speeds when someone slams the brakes or fender-bends you at a light. In human terms, it's the kind of accident where you walk away sore, annoyed, and late to dinner.
But for your dog?
That same crash can generate over 10,000 pounds of sustained force. And if they’re unrestrained, or in a restraint that doesn’t absorb or redirect that momentum? That force hits their chest, neck, or skull. Hard.
Even “crash tested” dog seat belts that pass the excursion test don’t necessarily prevent direct head impacts, internal injuries, or secondary collisions inside the car.
We Didn't Build our Products to Be Invincible
Because no restraint can protect a dog in every crash. But we did build it to protect them from the most likely danger.
Bark Belt is designed for:
Frontal crashes – which account for ~62% of all accidents
Unrestrained momentum – the #1 injury risk to dogs
Secondary impacts – like your dog hitting the dash, seatback, or window
Our system uses a multi-point restraint and load-absorbing design to arrest forward motion , not just contain it. It reduces force transfer to the chest and head — especially in the first seconds of a crash, which are the most deadly.
We tested it against crates, traditional harnesses, and unrestrained setups — and while no product eliminated all risk, Bark Belt consistently showed lower force readings and reduced direct impacts in frontal collisions.
The Real Issue: The Standard Needs to Evolve
nspired by the testing framework for child car seats (FMVSS 213), we created a new set of metrics: The B.A.R.K. Standard — Biomechanic Anthropomorphic Restraint Kinetics.
It evaluates restraints across five key safety measures:
Head Injury Criterion (HIC): Measures likelihood of head trauma
Whiplash Reduction: Assesses differential deceleration between head and chest
No Contactable Surfaces: Ensures no hard surfaces can impact the dog during a crash
Structural Integrity: Tests whether the restraint withstands sustained force
Excursion Distance: Retained for context, but now one part of a more complete picture
This standard is data-backed, measurable, and repeatable — and we share it because we believe dog safety deserves the same rigor we expect for people.
Our Mission: Raise the Bar for Canine Safety
We didn’t set out to challenge the industry. We simply saw an opportunity to build something better. Bark Belt exists not just to provide a product — but to contribute to a safer standard for all pets on the road.
We encourage dog parents to ask more of the gear they use and to expect data when safety claims are made. Whether you use Bark Belt or another product, the most important thing is to make informed decisions based on evidence — not assumptions.
Because your dog is more than precious cargo. They’re family.
What’s the Best Pick?
We wish there were a one-size-fits-all solution. There isn’t. Instead, here’s how we break it down based on accident type:
Frontal Collisions
🧠 Most common (62% of accidents)
💥 Primary risk: Your dog slamming forward and hitting hard surfaces
✅ Best defense: Bark Belt + harness — prevents forward momentum, limits impact force
Rollovers, Side Swipes, Rear-End Collisions
📉 37% of accidents
📦 Primary risk: Your dog getting tossed around the cabin
✅ Best defense: Crash-tested crate — contains the dog and prevents crushing
High-Speed, Fatal Crashes
💀 No current restraint can protect against the full forces involved
🚫 Best defense: Prevention (drive safely, minimize highway distractions)
Would you be open to or did you try testing multiple things, like the bark belt and harness with a crate? Because part of my worry about having no crate is stuff flying around the car and hitting them or stuff from the other car hitting them.
Comments
Would you be open to or did you try testing multiple things, like the bark belt and harness with a crate? Because part of my worry about having no crate is stuff flying around the car and hitting them or stuff from the other car hitting them.