In the car we used, there's a small gap above the guard, but a dog couldn't get through there (we hope). Although, a very determined dog might be able to pull at the guard because its only points of attachment are at the bottom - meaning the top of the guard moves a bit. The instructions do tell you to tighten it as much as possible though so it doesn't move. Travall is so confident with the guard that they offer a lifetime guarantee against any manufacturing defects, so if anything does go wrong you're covered. Once in place, it is fairly stable and does the job. There is some rattling over potholed country roads, but that's a fact of country life. Only a car specific guard would avoid this, like the Travall dog guard. So while the rattle is a bit annoying, its more important that I can use it in a variety of cars and remove it easily.

There are brief assembly instructions, and no tools are needed. The instructions aren't very detailed, but they don't need to be as assembly is quite self-explanatory. In this article, we’ve researched and sourced a variety of highly praised rear dog guards that we think are the most effective, adjustable and convenient. Read on for the lowdown.Once in place, the guard is stable and doesn't rattle while driving, even over potholed country roads. For me, this is especially important because I leave the guard in there permanently, even when the dog isn't in the car. One that's done, it's a case of figuring out which screws you need to use. Six screws are supplied, but they come in pairs of three different lengths. We opted for the longest screws but, after attachment, these turned out to be too long. It wasn't tough to remove the guard but it's a bit of an unnecessary faff. Using the medium length screws, we pushed them through the holes in the pole on the dog guard and then screwed them into the hooks around the headrests.

There are cheaper universal guards on the market, but the RAC is more adaptable and a better fit for the three cars we tested it in. So if you want to switch a dog guard to different cars, this will do the job. Alternatively, if your dog is less anxious travelling on a seat than in the boot, the RAC dog harness and seat belt connector would work well. Fitting instructions are supplied and all bolts used to assemble the dog guard frame are tightened using an Allen key, which is also provided. The guard weighs about 5kg, so it isn't heavy — but leaning into the boot while trying to position the guard correctly is easier with an extra pair of hands (although we managed fine alone). There is a bewildering array of products aimed at dog lovers, and our best advice is to find something that works best for your car and your pooch. For restraints, the Musonic Dog Safety Vest Harness offers great value for money. At the other end of the scale, the Petego EB Jet Set Jumbo Isofix is a luxury treat for your vehicle and pet. Our top guard was the Halfords Mesh, but you could save cash by choosing the similar RAC model. Guards:

However, these aren't major complaints, nor would I say they'd prevent us buying the dog guard if we were in the market for an entry-level, universal guard. Build quality of the actual guard is okay, if not a touch flimsy. A dog wouldn't be able to get through the guard, but because it's a universal fit rather than car-specific, it'll fit different models in different ways. Given all the extra struts it comes with, the Travall is very easy to fit. Depending on your vehicle model, in most instances you simply affix the rear window sill mounts – which come with plastic stoppers on the ends so they don’t leave any marks – and attach the supplied tension rods to your car’s tie-down rings. That’s pretty much it; no tools are required and absolutely no drilling. Another benefit is that the parcel shelf in the Skoda Octavia can still fit into place with the guard installed. I have tried other universal guards and the parcel shelf will not fit.

A dog guard is a must-have for any driver who owns a dog. Without a barrier, many dogs will leap into the cabin of the car. This not only risks damaging upholstery with mud and claw scratches but can also be very dangerous and can potentially cause an accident. What is it?In the box comes the dog guard - in three separate parts, assembly instructions, nuts and bolts, plus a small spanner. The instructions aren't very detailed, but they don't need to be as the assembly is quite self-explanatory. It includes 3 different fittings to ensure that you have the appropriate fit for your vehicle. The dog guard also has side wings that may be extended ensuring that your pet does not sneak through a gap. This allows a safe journey for all occupants. As we used a small car, there was no need for attaching the wings to extend the dog guard, but these would be attached using the connecting clips supplied. Multi Adjustable fittings and modular design makes it suitable for most vehicles (fits most vehicles with headrests)

Usually, the less you spend, the lower the quality of the materials, so if you have a strong, large breed such as a rottweiler or German shepherd, consider spending a bit more for peace of mind. What are the alternatives to a dog guard? We tested the Travall on our Skoda Fabia with a very energetic, 11-year-old chocolate Labrador named Hershey. What's it like? The best dog guards you can buy in 2023 1. Summit Easy Access Dog Guard: Best dog guard for easy accessThe Travall Guard is a quality product. It's lightweight, easy to install and doesn't rattle - but it's also at the top end of the price scale for dog guards. There are various cheaper guard options, many of which are universal for all vehicles and will do the job.