There’s something special about being able to take your dog on the road with you. Not only will you get a chance to travel with your furry friend, but you also won’t have to worry about leaving your pup at home alone. While this can be a great way to reduce separation anxiety on both of your parts, the truth is that it can be harder to travel safely with a dog than many might realize. If you are going to take a dog in the car with you, it’s very important to make sure that you have the dog secured in the vehicle properly.
How to Secure Your Dog
There are many different ways to secure your dog in a car, so don’t be afraid to look at all of the options on this list. Some work better for small dogs, while others might be a better fit for a big dog. What’s important, though, is that you choose one of these options to keep your dog safe.
Dog Crates
If you have a small enough crate or a big enough cargo space, you can set up the crate in the car and let your dog travel in comfort. He or she will be able to stand up, sit down, and move around without being attached to anything but you won’t have to worry about the dog getting in your way while you drive.
The only real downside to a crate is the space requirement. As it keeps your dog still, safe, and comfortable, it’s an ideal tool for anyone who has enough room for a crate in his or her car. If you have the ability to do so, a crate can be made even safer by anchoring the crate to any cargo hooks that happen to be on the base of your cargo area. This will prevent the crate from moving as you maneuver and will even give your dog a fall asleep without his or her crate suddenly shifting.
Car Harness
Another typical option to keep a dog secured in a car is a car harness. This kind of harness is very similar to the harness that your dog already wears, but with a few major differences. The first is a bit of extra padding in the front, which helps to cushion the dog if you happen to need to stop quickly. The second is a clip, which clips into the seat much like a car seat. This helps to let your dog move around a bit while not giving him or her too much freedom of movement.
The real benefit to this type of device is that it’s made specifically for use in cars. It’s easy to use and usually fairly comfortable, but it really is only useful in a car. As such, it’s generally only recommended for those who drive with their dogs frequently.
Car Leashes
A car leash is another car-specific device that’s likewise very useful for a car. This is a simple lead with a clip on one end that attaches to the seat and a clip on the other that attaches to your dog’s harness or collar. Simply clip your dog in when you start driving and he or she will have a limited range of movement while you are on the go.
The big benefit of this device is ease of use. You can keep the lead attached to your car and let your dog on and off as you please. The downside, of course, is that you’re not really using a device that’s going to be designed to keep your dog safe beyond keeping him or her still. It’s also important to remember that a lead that’s too short can actually be dangerous for your dog, so you’ll want to measure the lead to ensure that your dog has enough room to move around without choking himself or herself. With that said, this can be a really great choice for those who make short, frequent trips with their dogs.
No matter what your choice, it’s important that you have something that can keep your dog safe in a car. Whether it’s a harness, a lead, or even his or her crate, having something around that will ensure that your dog isn’t able to get in your way while driving and that he or she is kept still as you maneuver will help both of you to get to your destinations safely.
Is It A Must To Secure Your Dog?
There are many people who just let their dogs wander around their vehicles while driving, many of who would wonder why you would ever bother putting a dog in any kind of secure device. After all, doing so might stress out the dog and it certainly involves more work for the driver. It’s important, though, that you stop and understand exactly why your dog needs to be secured while you are driving your car.
First and foremost, you have to look at the safety of your dog. Cars really aren’t designed to be driven with anything moving around with them. If you ever want to see what could happen to your dog when driving, but a bag of flour in a seat while you are driving and then look at what happens. Not only will it be tossed wildly around your car while you drive, but any sudden stops can send the bag flying into the front of the car. Now, try to imagine what would happen if that was a dog instead of a bag of flour.
Of course, you also have to worry about your own safety while your dog is in the car. Most dogs don’t quite understand what is going on while you are driving and many of them would love nothing more than to sit with you while you make the car move. This kind of sudden company can make it very easy for you to lose control of your car, which can put both you and others in danger. In fact, a dog who is moving around the inside of the car represents the kind of distraction that really could make you a threat to anyone else on the road. As such, keeping your dog contained really is a must.