Ensure your dog's safety in the car during a road trip.
Taking your dog in the car is a treat enjoyed by many pet owners and dogs alike, but with the number of car wrecks on the roads you need to take steps to ensure the dog is safe. Whether you have a sedan or a truck with a camper shell, you can buy travel products to keep your dog comfortable and secure in the vehicle, no matter how long the trip. While there are no state laws about securing dogs in cars, police can ticket you if your dog is a potential distraction.
Instructions
1. Enclose your dog in a crate, which is the safest way to transport a pet in a car. Make sure the crate you choose is big enough for the dog to stand up in and turn around, and line the base with a soft blanket or a cool sheet, depending on the weather in which you are traveling. Secure the crate in the back seat or the body of the truck with a rope or safety harness.
2. Get a dog car seat for small dogs that are not crate-trained. These seats come in elevated booster models to enable small dogs to see through the window, or in deluxe fur-lined models with food and water bowls. A roll-around pet carrier will keep a nervous dog feeling safe while still able to look around.
3. Secure a larger dog in the back seat of the car using a pet seat belt. The pet seat belt has a harness that is adjustable to fit the dog and buckles directly into the car's seat belt fastener. The belt will secure your dog in the event of a wreck, but it is able to sit, stand or lie down on the seat.
4. Prevent your dog from trying to join you in the driving seat of your SUV with a barrier that installs instantly without tools and can be used with the seat back raised or flat. It separates the cab from the cargo area and works like an over-size crate, stopping the dog from moving forward in a wreck. Barriers come in steel, net and stretch fabric models.
5. Protect the seat and keep the dog warm by using a seat cover or hammock. The hammock has loops that fit over the headrests on the back and front seats, creating a self-contained space in the back that stops the dog from slipping down behind the seats. Some hammocks are made from thermal fabric that retains the heat from the dog's body, keeping it warm naturally while keeping the seat clean, while others are waterproof in case of accidents.
Related posts
Allowing your dog to ride on the driver's lap is dangerous.Many dogs love to go for car rides. They love to ride with their heads hanging out the window, lips flapping in the wind with saliva hitt...
Help your dog avoid death or injury by transporting them safely in your pickup truck.More than 100,000 dogs die each year from falling out of pickup trucks, according to Joanne Helperin of Edmunds...
The Best Ways to Transport DogsThe best way to transport your dog will depend on where you are sending or taking the dog, whether you are going with your pet, the distance and other factors. Just...
No matter what your destination--the store, the park, or the vet--you want to do all you can to ensure your dog is transported safely when riding in the car. Being prepared and planning ahead will...
Pickups present a special traveling challenge for dog owners, but it is possible to safely transport your dog in the truck's bed. Several easy steps accomplish a safe ride for your dog. Remember t...
