Tips for Properly Restraining Your Dog in the Car

When you are driving down the road and look over to see a dog with its head out the window or sitting in its human’s lap, you most likely don’t think anything of it. However, these are very unsafe situations, not only for the pup but for the people in that car and others around it.

While you may think that your dog will enjoy a car ride more if they have the freedom to move around the car, there are many reasons that an unrestrained dog can be hazardous. Here are a few:

• Unrestrained dogs can distract the driver
• Loose dogs can block or move the steering wheel, gear shift, windshield, or the gas/brake pedals
• In an accident, a loose dog can be seriously injured or killed by an airbag
• When hanging its head out the window, debris can injure your pup’s eyes, mouth, and nose

In order to avoid these dangerous situations, do you and your pooch a favor by restraining it in the car. Here are some options for car restraints and tips for finding the right one for your furry friend:

Car Barrier

A car barrier is designed to block off a section of your car to keep your dog contained. They can be placed behind the front seats or the back seats to keep your dog in one area of the vehicle. These are a good way to minimize distractions, however, your dog could still sustain an injury in the event of a crash since they are not tethered to anything.

Car Seat

A car seat or a booster seat is a good option for smaller dogs. They allow your dog to sit higher up on the seat so they can still see out the window but keeps them in place to stay safe.

Some car seats are little more than a glorified dog bed that will provide little safety to your four-legged friend so it’s important to choose a car seat with good safety features. When making a decision, make sure you choose one that attaches to your car’s seatbelts and has a tether that can attach to your pup’s harness.

Car Harness

A car harness is another good way to keep your dog in one spot in your car. A car harness fits your dog just like a regular harness but is designed to withstand the impact of a car accident. They come with a tether that attaches to your car’s seatbelts so, in the event of an accident, your pup won’t go flying.

When looking for a car harness, find one that fits your dog well and that has been crash tested. Good things to look for will be extra padding in the chest and a short tether.

Crate

Putting your dog’s crate or kennel in the car is a safe way to keep your pup contained. Make sure that you are using a sturdy crate and that you have it secured in your car so it doesn’t move.

Crates are typically good to keep in the trunk of your car, however, they are also safe to put in the backseat row. However, if you do choose to put it in the backseat, make sure it is secured with the seatbelts so it doesn’t move in case of impact.

The most important thing to remember when finding a solution for restraining your dog in the car is to find the one that is going to minimize distractions when you are driving so that all of your focus can be on the road. Once you do that, you will be able to take your dog on fun adventures all over the place!