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Mondern Pets Premium Dog Booster Seat: The “Low-Rider”

A brown Miniature American Shepherd stands inside a light grey, fabric-covered dog car seat. The seat is positioned on the front passenger side and is propped up with a grey cushion underneath. The dog is looking intently out the side window toward a brick wall and green shrubbery.

Back in 2022, I was stuck in a frustrating cycle of “car seat musical chairs.” We started with a traditional back-seat hammock, but Monte was sitting so low he couldn’t see out the window. For a curious pup, that is a recipe for restlessness and, unfortunately, a bit of car sickness.

My quest for the “perfect” setup led me to the Modern Pets Premium Dog Booster Seat. Following my usual savvy strategy, I managed to score this one secondhand in “as new” condition. I have become a massive fan of this brand. Even so, I am a bit torn on this purchase. While the quality is top-notch, it didn’t quite hit the mark for a pup with serious “FOMO” like Monte.

Here is where I have a bit of a bone to pick with the marketing. It is advertised as a “booster seat.” However, aside from a lovely, fluffy cushion, there is actually no real elevation. If you have a dog like Monte who lives to see what is happening out the window, this isn’t going to deliver that “view from the top.”

I was so determined to make it work. I even tried propping it up with an extra cushion underneath to give him that much-needed lift. But even with the extra padding, it still barely high enough to get him over the window line. It was a bit of a “Pinterest fail” moment. No amount of propping could overcome the lack of built-in structural height.

I even tried moving the whole setup to the front seat so he could be right next to me. Because he still couldn’t see over the dash, he kept trying to prop himself up on the dashboard. It was distracting, felt unsafe. Ultimately, it was a no-go for us in the car.

Even though it failed the “view out the window” test, I couldn’t bear to let such a well-made piece go to waste. This is where the clever design really shines. It folds up just like a picnic blanket, which makes it incredibly portable.

I have actually ended up repurposing it as one of Monte’s dedicated travel beds. It is lightweight, easy to throw in the boot. It gives him a familiar, plush spot to settle when we are visiting friends or staying overnight. It still works well enough for the floor; just not for the front seat of our car.

That was the moment I finally stopped playing “car seat musical chairs.” Once I realised Monte needed actual height, I moved to the Modern Pets Double Booster Bench (now known as the Elevated Dog Car Seat). I bought that one new, and I haven’t looked back. It gave him the height he craved and gave me the peace of mind I needed.

  • Quality Construction: Heavy-duty materials and a plush interior that feels truly premium.
  • Travel-Ready: The “fold-and-go” design is super handy for road trips or hotel stays.
  • Easy Clean: The washable cushion cover is a massive plus for keeping things fresh.
  • The Catch: If your dog is a “nosey parker” who needs to see the road, the lack of elevation will be a dealbreaker for car use.

It is a high-quality piece, but its value depends entirely on your dog. If you have a larger dog or a very chill small dog who doesn’t mind the “low-rider” life, it is a beautiful seat. For us, I am glad I found a second life for it as a travel bed. However, I wouldn’t buy it again for its intended intended car seat use.

Full Disclosure: Not sponsored. I sourced this one secondhand while trying to solve Monte’s car sickness and restlessness back in 2022. I’m sharing the honest truth because sometimes even high-quality gear just doesn’t vibe with your pup’s personality!


Now, I have to know – have you ever bought a “premium” item that just didn’t vibe with your pup’s personality? Did you manage to repurpose it like I did with our “picnic blanket” travel bed, or did it end up back on Marketplace?

Drop a comment below and tell me about your most surprising pet gear “pivot.” Monte and I are all ears for your clever hacks!

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