Outward Hound Pet Lookout Car Booster Seat Review

I had been searching for a car booster seat for my 7-pound Yorkshire Terrier.  I didn't want to continue driving with my "baby" sitting on my lap or jumping around the car loose because of obvious safety concerns.  So I was eager to try the Outward Hound Pet Lookout Car Booster Seat that I found online. 

The website claims "this practical car booster seat is the ultimate solution to safely satisfy a dog's natural urge to look out the window while driving in automobiles. Attaches in seconds to the passenger seat of most automobiles for a safe and comfortable ride for small dogs. Adjustable straps attach to car seat while adjustable safety harness attaches to pet collar. Holds pets up to 20lbs. Folds to 2.5" for easy storage."  Not only that, but the item was priced very reasonably at $49.99.

When I received the booster seat I discovered that there was an inflatable "bladder" on the inside which I had to manually blow up to the proper height for my dog.  It took a lot of breath and effort (think very large beach ball) to blow it up but, I reasoned, I would only have to inflate the seat once. Then I had to figure out the numerous straps that needed to be attached around my car seat in order to safely secure the actual booster seat.  I originally planned on using the booster seat on the passenger side of my car, but realized that wouldn't be practical when I had passengers, so I opted to secure the it in the back seat of my vehicle. 

Okay, so it's at least an hour of prepping and I finally have the seat secured in my car...I do not plan on ever removing it at this point.  I put my dog in the seat and he seems to like it, he has room to rest or sit up and look out the window...I think this is going to work afterall.  There is a short leash attached to the seat that hooks up to your dog's collar which is touted as a safety feature for keeping your dog secure in the booster seat. So I attach my dog, he seems happy enough in his new little seat and off we go on our errands.

There we are traveling 65 mph on the freeway when my dog decides to jump out of his booster seat!  He starts crying, I crane my head to see him literally hanging from the end of the short leash attached to the seat!  There I am on the freeway, my dog is hanging by his neck in the seat behind me, and all I can do is reach behind me and try to release him from his stranglehold!  I was so scared, as was my dog!  Fortunately, I was able to unhook his dog collar and he was okay...BUT for something being sold as a SAFE, SECURE booster seat, I felt it was anything BUT!

On another note...imagine my surprise when I took the booster seat out of my car and realized that the inflatable bladder had actually developed a leak and had deflated!  I decided it was time to return this product to the vendor; but (surprise) these products are NON-REFUNDABLE and therefore I was stuck with a useless booster seat.

If I can save even one dog-lover from purchasing this HORRIBLE product, then I will feel that my $49.99 wasn't a complete waste!