Mesh a mutt-have buy

Fitting a dog guard can be time consuming, and removing it equally tricky. To make the job easier, the new Mesh Headrest Dog Guard from Halfords has been developed. As long as your vehicle has headrests mounted on metal shafts, it can be attached or taken out in minutes.

The metal guard is supplied in three pieces and, after only a brief look at the instructions, we were able to connect them quickly. Because the sections can be joined in various positions, users can vary the overall size of the guard, making the best of the available space in a range of vehicles.

The mounts hook round and tighten to the headrest bars, so no drilling is required, and the kit left no marks in our car. And as it’s such a secure fit, all we heard was the occasional rattle from the guard. Applying considerable force made it flex from the clamps, although the mesh remained rigid.

The product can also be attached to the rears of the front seats. However, in some cars this leaves a gap in the centre which, depending on the size of your dog, could be a problem. Not all vehicles have compatible rear headrests, either.