We all know that children should always be seated properly in the backseat of a car. The same goes for our four legged friends!<\/b><\/p>\n
The first image that comes to mind when you think of a dog riding in the car might be that classic vision of a happy dog hanging its head out the window, tongue lolling in the breeze. But, car safety is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Not only can a loose dog in the car create a distraction or physical hazard for the driver and passengers, the dog itself is at risk of becoming injured or lost in the event of a crash. So, let\u2019s look at some ways to make car rides safer for you and your pup!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One way to keep dogs secured in the car is to use a barrier that physically contains the dog and limits their ability to move freely inside. There are a couple of common ways of doing this:<\/p>\n A properly-secured crate is the gold standard for safely traveling with pets in the car. A crate allows your dog some room to move freely while still ensuring they cannot climb around in the cab. They come at different price points, from a basic wire kennel<\/a> to a top-of-the line crash tested crate<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cons:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Car barriers are used to section off one part of the interior, creating a space where the dog can ride without giving them full access to the cab. They are a great way to separate dogs from the driver so they can\u2019t distract them by climbing around inside a moving vehicle. They will also stop your dog from accidentally bumping into the gear shift or steering wheel.<\/span><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In recent years, companies have started to put extra effort into making crash-tested tethering systems for dogs in cars. A car harness or car seat can be an excellent solution to restrain your dog \u2013 the tether limits their ability to move around the car while it is in motion as well as providing more peace of mind to owners in the event of a crash.<\/p>\n Car harnesses are harnesses<\/a> that are used to restrain your dog by clipping them into the seat, usually by attaching to the existing seatbelt or clipping into the buckle directly. A properly-fitted, crash-tested harness<\/a> is designed to protect your dog as much as possible from injury, becoming a dangerous projectile themselves, or running away after an accident.<\/span><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cons:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doggie car seats have grown in popularity, especially for smaller dogs. A dog car seat is another safety harness\/tether device with a small bed or basket added. The bed can act like a booster seat<\/a>, encouraging your dog to stay in that one spot and look out the window. Dogs that are more comfortable in a bed or designated place may particularly appreciate having the car seat. However, it is important to note that the main safety components of the system are still the harness and tether, so take that into consideration if you\u2019re shopping around.<\/span><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When planning a trip with your dog, whether you’re taking your pup out for a quick run to the store or going on a road trip – be sure to take safety into consideration: your dogs\u2019 safety, your safety, and the safety of others on the road. A dog that is loose in the cab runs the biggest risk of all, so whichever you prefer, you should consider adopting at least one of these safety methods going forward!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We all know that children should always be seated properly in the backseat of a car. The same goes for our four legged friends! The first image that comes to mind when you think of a dog riding in the car might be that classic vision of a happy dog hanging its head out the…<\/p>\n
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Barrier Methods<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Crate<\/b> or Kennel<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Car Barrier<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Tether Methods:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Car Harness<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Car Seat<\/b><\/h4>\n
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