Dogs make great companions for so many reasons. One of the reasons why we love dogs so much is because they are typically very excited and grateful to be taken on a car ride. Their ears perk up, their eyes light up and they bound towards the car on eager paws. Although we love to take our dogs with us in the car, there can be some safety concerns when it comes to riding around town with man’s best friend. If you follow the steps below you will be certain to keep your dog safe during a car ride.
Step 1: Make your dog a backseat driver. The safest place for your dog is in the backseat of your car. In the front seat your dog will be tempted to jump into your lap or distract you in some other fashion, which is obviously not safe. If you have a hatchback or large sport utility vehicle, the very rear of the vehicle is not the safest option because there is usually no way to harness the dog in this open space. For larger dogs, you can purchase a dog seat belt in order to restrain him in the back seat. For smaller dogs, you can purchase a car seat carrier to keep them elevated in the back seat.
Step 2: Make your dog enjoy the view from the inside. Many dog owners think it’s fun or cute to allow their dogs to hang their heads outside of the window. While the dogs might enjoy having their ears flap in the wind, it’s not a safe practice. There is a lot of debris out on the road that can fly into your dog’s eyes and ears. If you don’t have it in your heart to keep the window rolled up, invest in some doggles (dog goggles) at the very least.
Step 3: Don’t be afraid to engage the child locks. Many cars are equipped with the ability to engage child locks on their rear doors. This handy feature means that the door can only be opened from the outside. While most dogs don’t have the dexterity in their paws to open doors on purpose, it’s possible for the dog to accidentally open the door by placing his paw on the handle.
Step 4: Don’t be afraid to engage your dog in activities. A bored dog and a moving vehicle are not a good combination. Always have a few chew toys in the car in order to keep your dog entertained. Another way to keep your dog entertained is by providing him with a treat that he can busily chew during the ride.
Step 5: Know where you’re going and for how long. If your ride in the car is going to be a lengthy one, make sure you’ve brought enough food and water for your dog. You also need to make sure you’ve thought of a place to stop and allow your dog to relieve himself. In order to keep him safe while outside of the vehicle, make sure you’ve brought his leash along with you. Also be sure to pack waste disposal bags for the dirty job of cleaning up after your dog.
Step 6: Know your dog’s personality and plan accordingly. If your dog gets nervous or anxious during car rides, make an appointment with your veterinarian to see if there is any medication you can administer to your dog before taking the car ride.
These steps are intended to be a guideline for keeping your dog safe during a car ride. Hopefully you’ve chosen a dog friendly destination, as you need to keep in mind that it is never safe for him or her to be left alone in the car.
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