Dog Car Safety for Reactive Dogs: My Honest Variocage Review

Whether it's just a quick vet visit or a daily car ride for company, most of us have to put our dogs in the car at some point.

And every day, we see it- dogs riding shotgun or hanging halfway out the window, tongues flapping in the wind. It may look cute, but the truth is, it's dangerous- for them and for us.

According to Kids and Car Safety, a 10-pound dog in a 50 mph crash can generate up to 500 pounds of force. At just 30 mph, an 80-pound dog can create 2,400 pounds of force. That’s not just alarming - it’s life-threatening.

This hit home for me when I realized Marlee, who fluctuates between 75–80 pounds throughout the year, could unintentionally cause serious harm in the event of a crash to herself and to me. 

Plus, as a barrier-reactive dog, letting her look out the window only heightens her arousal. What should be a peaceful ride becomes a chaotic backseat shuffle - pacing, barking, lunging. And trying to counter-condition that behavior while driving? Not safe.

For a while, I used a car seat harness for Marlee that clipped her into the backseat. It did its job in terms of keeping her from climbing into the front, but it wasn’t a perfect solution. She could still move around slightly and see out the window - which, for a barrier-reactive dog like her, was incredibly triggering.

Every car ride became counterproductive. I was taking her places to train, but she was already over threshold before we even arrived. On top of that, trying to get her to focus on me while she was restrained, all while I was driving, was downright dangerous. My arm would be twisted back at weird angles trying to hold treats or redirect her, and I couldn’t give my full attention to the road.

It just wasn’t sustainable - and it made me dread taking her anywhere. And when you already struggle with the stress of reactivity, dreading outings only adds another layer of difficulty.

That’s when I started looking into car crates. I’ll admit, I was heavily influenced by some of the dog creators I follow on social media. Many of them swear by the MIM Safe Variocage. I ended up finding a great deal on a used single large one on eBay - and that was the start of a much safer, more manageable routine for both of us.

Putting the crate together was surprisingly easy and took a couple of hours (with breaks). But after just one ride with Marlee, I realized the sizing was off. The roof was too low, and the crate was too narrow - she couldn’t even lie down comfortably. It completely defeated the purpose of creating a calm, secure space for her in the car.

I spent a couple of months searching for a larger used one, hoping to score another deal - but eventually, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and purchase directly from 4x4 North America.

And honestly? I’m so glad I did.

I initially ordered the Double XL, but the very next day, I got a call from the company. Because I had entered my car’s make and model during checkout, they had flagged that the size I chose wouldn’t actually fit. They offered to cancel my order or swap it out for the next size down. I really appreciated their honesty - it saved me from assembling the entire crate only to discover it wouldn’t fit. That level of transparency and customer service made the investment feel even more worthwhile.

Once the order was corrected, the crate arrived within the week. My boyfriend helped me assemble it this time around—and let me just say, having two sets of hands made a huge difference. We had it fully put together and strapped into the car in about an hour.

One tip I’d give to anyone assembling a Variocage: measure your trunk length beforehand. It’s tempting to dive right into building, but taking the time to get accurate measurements upfront will save you the hassle of having to adjust later. While the crate is designed to be adjustable post-assembly, making sure the fit is right from the start makes the entire process much smoother.

Marlee has only taken a few rides in her new Variocage, but I can already see a difference in her behavior - less whining, less pacing, and a generally calmer presence in the car. We still have some training ahead of us, but I’m genuinely excited about the progress we’ll be able to make with this new setup.

If you’re looking to improve car safety or better manage your dog during rides, I highly recommend investing in a car crate - especially the Variocage. They offer a wide range of sizes and accessories that allow you to truly tailor the setup to meet both your dog’s and your vehicle’s needs.

The crate I purchased was around $1,200, which I know can feel like a steep price. But for me, the added peace of mind and the improvement in Marlee’s behavior makes it absolutely worth it. This crate is not just a safety tool - it’s a management tool, a training aid, and a long-term investment in both of our well-being.

That said, if a Variocage isn’t feasible for you - whether it’s due to cost, car size, or other needs - there are still plenty of other great car safety options to consider: seatbelt harnesses, dog car seats, crash-tested carriers, window covers, and more. The most important thing is to find what works best for you and your dog.

Stay tuned for my upcoming post, “What’s in My Car: Dog Edition,” where I’ll share all the accessories I use to keep Marlee safe and managed while on the go - both inside and outside the crate.

If you have a Variocage or have used one before, I’d love to hear your experience! Or let me know how you keep your dog safe during car rides in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, and I am not affiliated with Variocage. All opinions are entirely my own.