inmac

It must be made aware to individuals that dogs in cars can be a danger, not only to themselves, but also to their fellow passengers.

If you did happen to make a sudden emergency stop, or were involved in a collision at only 30mph, an unrestrained dog in the back seat could turn into a potentially lethal missile.

For example, a small dog, such as a West Highland Terrier would be thrown from the back seat, or shelf, directly at the head of someone who was sitting in the front seat of the car.  If it was a large dog such as a Labrador, it could be catapulted through the car with the force of a baby elephant.  Of course, this would not only injure the dog, but everyone that was in its flight path.  And letâs face it, the dog is unlikely to only be injured, it would be highly surprising for the dog to survive such a violent impact.

Why do people belt up themselves and insist that their children wear seatbelts or are placed into a child safety seat, and yet they allow their dogs to travel unrestrained?  There are those drivers that even allow their small dogs to sit on the front passenger seat, or on the passengersâ knee, which is extremely dangerous.

A driverâs attention should also not be distracted.  Some dogs will sit still and quietly on the back seat, but there are those that jump around with excitement at seeing what is going on out of the windows. 

Making your dog wear a dog harness, or placing them in a travel kennel, or behind a dog guard really is the very best option for all round safety.  It is not unkind to make the dog wear a harness.  Most pets will feel more secure when they are restrained.  A dog guard is fitted across the back of the car that separates the dog from the driver.  However, this is only really suitable for a hatchback car.   If you crate trained your dog when it was a puppy, then it will have absolutely no problem with being in a travel kennel.  However, it is important to remember that when using a travel kennel, that it is the correct size, not only for your car, but also for your dog.

Traveling in a car is not something that appears to be natural for dogs.  They need to be trained to accept this new form of transport.

It is important that a dog is taught from being a puppy how to get in and out of a car correctly.

Listed below are some simple guidelines:

• If your car is parked on a road, then it is essential that the dog gets out from the pavement side.
• Never allow your dog to get into the car alone â ensure that he is on a lead.
• When you arrive home, never encourage the dog to jump out of the boot or open windows, as they may wish to do this in areas that are busy with cars.
• If you are getting in and out of your car on a busy road, then it is important to make it obvious to other drivers that your dog is under control.

Therefore, in conclusion, the safety of not only your dog, but also the other passengers in the car is imperative.  Always ensure that your dog is restrained when traveling in the car.

Tags: Dogs Traveling