Traveling Safely With Your Dog
Around 84% of dog owners drive with their furry friends in their car without restraining them, according to the American Automobile Association. Safer America, meanwhile, notes that there were over 17,000 crashes in just the first half of 2018, and many of these occurred while pets were in the car. Driving with unrestrained pets is dangerous for two reasons: the distraction they pose to the driver, and the damage they can suffer if the driver brakes suddenly or is involved in an accident. Keeping passengers and pets safe is actually a lot easier than you may think. Just follow these tips to ensure Fido is as comfortable, warm (or, in the summer, cool) and happy as everyone else in the vehicle.
Choose The Right Vehicle
If your dog will be traveling with you every day to work or every time you drop or pick up your kids from school, keeping this consideration in mind when choosing your car or truck is key. Your dog should travel in a restrained crate, so there needs to be enough space for this purpose. Did you know that the majority of car accidents occur within a five-mile radius of your house? Therefore, even if you don’t complete major distances every day, opting for a sturdy, sufficiently spacious car is vital.
What Are The Main Risks For Dogs Traveling In Trucks?
If you have a truck, your dog should travel up front. Dogs placed in the bed of a truck can easily fall out. If the dog’s leash is tied to the truck and it falls out, there is a big choking risk, owing to the amount of pressure placed on the neck. Interior travel will keep your pooch safe from flying objects and ensure it is not subject to harsh wind or too much sun. You can use a vehicle barrier if you drive an SUV or van, but your dog will still need to be secured to minimize injury.
What About Cars?
The biggest risk for untethered dogs in cars is the impact they can suffer in an accident, or when you brake suddenly or take a harsh curve. Dogs can also pose a risk to passengers in the event of an accident, since the force of their impact (especially at high velocities) can be considerable. There are two main options you can choose for cars. The first is a secured crate, which will need to be tethered to the car. Companies like Pet Buckle sell tethers that latch to D-rings found in SUVs, minivans, etc. - you will need to tether both ends of a crate to prevent it from becoming a projectile danger in the event of an accident. You can also use seat belt anchors to secure your dog, even if it is not in a crate. Your dog will need a good harness for this purpose; the neck itself should not be tethered to a seat belt.
You may need to experiment with different tethers or dog seat belts if your pooch is a frequent traveler in your car. Crates should be firmly attached, with at least two tethers to keep them in place. Because crates and pets themselves take up considerable space, safety begins with vehicle choice. Make sure yours fulfills the needs of you, your family, and your pet.
Choose The Right Vehicle
If your dog will be traveling with you every day to work or every time you drop or pick up your kids from school, keeping this consideration in mind when choosing your car or truck is key. Your dog should travel in a restrained crate, so there needs to be enough space for this purpose. Did you know that the majority of car accidents occur within a five-mile radius of your house? Therefore, even if you don’t complete major distances every day, opting for a sturdy, sufficiently spacious car is vital.
What Are The Main Risks For Dogs Traveling In Trucks?
If you have a truck, your dog should travel up front. Dogs placed in the bed of a truck can easily fall out. If the dog’s leash is tied to the truck and it falls out, there is a big choking risk, owing to the amount of pressure placed on the neck. Interior travel will keep your pooch safe from flying objects and ensure it is not subject to harsh wind or too much sun. You can use a vehicle barrier if you drive an SUV or van, but your dog will still need to be secured to minimize injury.
What About Cars?
The biggest risk for untethered dogs in cars is the impact they can suffer in an accident, or when you brake suddenly or take a harsh curve. Dogs can also pose a risk to passengers in the event of an accident, since the force of their impact (especially at high velocities) can be considerable. There are two main options you can choose for cars. The first is a secured crate, which will need to be tethered to the car. Companies like Pet Buckle sell tethers that latch to D-rings found in SUVs, minivans, etc. - you will need to tether both ends of a crate to prevent it from becoming a projectile danger in the event of an accident. You can also use seat belt anchors to secure your dog, even if it is not in a crate. Your dog will need a good harness for this purpose; the neck itself should not be tethered to a seat belt.
You may need to experiment with different tethers or dog seat belts if your pooch is a frequent traveler in your car. Crates should be firmly attached, with at least two tethers to keep them in place. Because crates and pets themselves take up considerable space, safety begins with vehicle choice. Make sure yours fulfills the needs of you, your family, and your pet.
RSS Feed
