Driving down the road on any given day, you’ll find that it’s not uncommon to see dogs leaning out of the car window, roaming freely in the car, and sometimes even sitting on the driver’s lap. It doesn’t take much common sense to know that these are not safe situations, but many dogs roam free in cars.
Why? Many people find that their four-legged friends become stressed if they are restrained. Others say their pet likes traveling in the car because he can hang his head out the window.
No matter how happy this makes a dog, it is undeniably dangerous. Here’s why:
- A loose dog can easily distract the driver.
- A loose hammer can bind or dislodge the steering wheel, shifter, and accelerator/brake pedals.
- A loose dog can be injured or killed by an airbag.
- Debris from the road can hurt your dog’s eyes, nose and mouth when he sits with his head out the car window.
- In the event of an accident or even sudden braking, your dog can become a dangerous projectile. Not only is this a risk for your dog; it is a risk for you, for other people in the car, for other drivers and even for pedestrians.
- In the event of an accident, a loose dog can become a threat to the rescue team trying to get you out of a damaged car. Or your dog might run away and get lost.
Do the dog, yourself and everyone else a favor and restrain him. It also does not allow your dog to ride in the front seat, even if he is immobilized.
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Keeping your dog in the back will reduce the likelihood of a distraction-related accident and will keep him safe in the event of an accident. However, traveling by car is still not risk-free.
The most dangerous thing is to travel without restrictions. The best solution is to find the right restraint method for your dog and increase his chances of surviving a car accident. And, above all, drive carefully!
Buy him a box
A carrier or carrier is one of the safest ways to travel with your dog, as long as the carrier is very sturdy and stable in one place. If you have an SUV or similar vehicle, you may want to place the box in the trunk area. Just find out if this area is the most «wrinkled» on your car. If so, then the trunk is the worst place for your dog.
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A small to medium sized box can usually be placed in the back seat of most vehicles. Look for straps or harnesses to hold the crate in place, or look for a crate made to be secured with a seat belt. Otherwise, you could end up with a fatal bullet in an accident.
Also, keep in mind that in the event of an accident, your dog will be thrown against the walls of the crate upon impact, so he could injure himself.
Car wiring
AND dried ham or a seat belt is another safer way to keep your dog in the car. Car harnesses fit just like regular harnesses, but are made to withstand the impact of a car crash. Find a harness that fits your dog well and secure it securely to your car’s seat belts.
Wide padded chest straps help reduce impact damage. The link connecting the harness to the car seat belts should be as short as possible to reduce the distance the dog can be thrown in the event of an accident. Research the brand of harness carefully before purchasing to find out what studies the manufacturer has performed.
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Car seat
Dog seats are similar to the harnesses for cars, but are designed for small dogs. The concept is to bring the dog to a higher level where he can see but is still safe.
Be very selective when choosing a dog car seat. Some are simply modified dog beds that offer little safety.
Look for a seat that attaches securely to your car’s seat belts and has a harness that attaches securely to your dog. Some have leash clips designed to attach to your dog’s harness. Never attach that end to your dog’s collar because he could be strangled in an accident.
Car barrier
Car barriers are designed to block a section of the car. Some are placed behind the front seats to keep your dog in the back seat. Others are placed behind the rear seats of the SUV to keep the dog in the trunk area. Barriers can be rigid and made of metal or plastic; they can also be soft and made of fabric or mesh.
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The main safety benefit of barriers is that they keep your dog away from you, minimizing distractions.
They can also prevent your dog from becoming a projectile in the event of an accident. However, the barrier can easily break following an accident. Even if the barrier remains intact, the dog will still be thrown into and around that area of the car.
A barrier is better than nothing, but it’s not as effective as one dried ham or a shipping box.
Read also: The best dog carriers
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