Expecting a proper fit for your car, minivan, wagon, or SUV?  To be honest, some disappointment was found when looking at pet barriers for the dog. Seems many variables determine if a vehicle barrier WILL separate a drooling travel buddy from your fast-food drive-thru bag tossed onto the passenger seat.  Heaven help the driver of more than one pet along for the ride.

Dog overstepping boundaries? Divide the vehicle for a comfortable, safe separation with proper fitting pet barriers.

Lucky Dog gets to go to work with you? Or are you transporting the puppers often? Keeping the car clean with a dog is tough. More than one, and it’s near impossible to maintain a 'Paws Off the Upholstery' policy. Hair, mud marks, and nose prints are uninviting to people passengers, even if they are too polite to tell you so.

Wise owners understand that dogs who wait in the car while driver dashes into the grocery store CAN get into danger. Horizontal bars and vertical posts create a separate ’waiting room’ for the quick-trip. Of course, we all know dogs SHOULD NOT be left alone in a vehicle for any length of time, especially in extreme temperatures.

Road trips are tiring. Bored dog is a restless pet if not confined. If you believe Sir Well-Behaved or Madam Manners WILL most certainly sit still - try it. Bookmark this page first, you may come back for some suggestions from listed websites offering product reviews.

Photos from collection of AllPetFurniture.com

Dog boundaries – Ideal comfort. Designate the backseat or open cargo area ‘the pet zone’ for passenger privacy and driver safety. From Pet Car Seat Covers, buy a padded pet mat or a fitted, waterproof liner to serve as a ‘welcome-dog’ invitation. In minutes, install a tubular metal or wire mesh divider.

What kinds of barriers are available? Small-Medium or Large Tubular Metal, Small-Medium or Large Wire Mesh. Some create a strong wall between front and backseat. There is Net, but don’t waste your money if you have an over zealous canine. What’s an Extension Panel? Provides a more snug fit for larger minivans or vehicles with folding seats.

Assuming an easy installation, vague directions leave some dog owners begging for help. Diagram pictures may explain more than instructions do and a second set of hands gets assembly completed faster.

Be on the lookout for poorly designed noisy rods and top posts poking holes in the vehicle headliner. Small dogs can squeeze between large gaps in tubes. Plastic fasteners may be ok for some not-so-challenging breeds, metal fasteners may be required for a stronger beast. Looking to accommodate more than one car? Despite what versatile adjustments are promised, proceed with caution when placing/removing for transfer.

Variables. We simply cannot recommend one divide over another. Depends on your vehicle design, your dog’s size and strength. Safe and effective pet barrier recommendations are inconsistent and not all experiences are bad.

What we do know? We all see dividers everywhere and we want in on the distraction-free traveling. It is possible to keep fast paws and curious noses away from the steering column. We can stop the annoying hopping from back-to-front-to-back seat.

If you want distraction-free travel with your dog, separate your vehicle seating with a pet barrier.