Does your four-legged friend go everywhere with you? Does his head tilt and ears perk at the mere mention of a R-I-D-E? Trips in the car can be fun for your pet, but as a responsible owner, keeping Fido safe should be top of mind — whether you’re taking a quick drive around the block or an extended road trip.
These 3 tips can help you & your pet reach your destination safe & sound:
1. STAY in the back.
In a 2011 AAA survey, 52 percent of dog owners admitted to petting their dog while traveling in their vehicle. Putting your pooch in the backseat will help keep your focus on the road, but is getting your pet to stay there a problem? According to CBS News, safety barriers can help keep Fido exactly where you want him.
Interested in getting a safety barrier for your pet? Check out these customer reviews from AutoAnything.com before shopping.
2. SHAKE bad habits.
Your dog might love to stick his head out the window, but according to Animal Planet, allowing your dog to ride with its head out of the window can expose its eyes to dirt, dust, and other road debris. Even if your dog wore goggles, there are other dangers like ear trauma and injury (or worse).
3. SIT in your seat.
Are you looking for a product that can help keep Fido safe during an accident? A crate or harness might help. In fact, AAA suggests both devices can protect your pet, but be sure to research the pros and cons of each to find a product to meet your needs.
For more great tips, check out Pooch Protection 101: Keeping Your Dog Safe In Your Car from our friends at AOL. And don’t forget to consult your state’s laws on pet restraints in vehicles or contact your state’s motor vehicle agency before hitting the road.
Comment on this article
Comments
Melissa on September 17, 2013 at 11:54am
My dogs are my babies, so if anything should happen (such as a car accident) I want them to be safe. I wouldn't let my 5 year old hang his head out of the window, why would I let my dog?
Jolene on September 17, 2013 at 12:07pm
My dogs are crated in the back of my vehicle. The crates are attached to the body of the vehicle for added safety. When I've saved the money, I plan to purchase Variocages for the dogs (passes both frontal and rear collion tests)
lorrieann51 on September 17, 2013 at 12:24pm
Why take the chance of having your furbaby go flying and either getting hurt, killed, or running away in an accident.
TIFFANY M. on September 17, 2013 at 12:46pm
We have a hatchback so the back part is where we have our dog at when in the car. He's secure and safe.
Tammi H. on September 17, 2013 at 12:58pm
A dog in your lap or hanging out of a window is no different than a child or adult for that matter. Safety first people!
Cathleen on September 17, 2013 at 1:09pm
We like them to sit in the back seat and stay there. I do not want anything in my space while I am driving. Nothing hangs out the windows not even the dog. I want full view of everything at all times including my mirrors. I use all of them collectively and I avoid accidents more importantly.
Bronto B. on September 17, 2013 at 1:25pm
Arf, arf arf.......... snort.........arf lol BB
KellyJoz on September 17, 2013 at 1:50pm
People laygh, but we have car seats for our two miniature schnauzers. Best purchase I ever made for them. We travel frequently and i am confident they are safe in thier care seats. They love them, a stabel place to lay down adn still see out teh window.
Barbara S. on September 17, 2013 at 2:24pm
Since there is no face to face contact, it is very nice to have this correspondence.
Ron on September 17, 2013 at 2:48pm
An unrestrained pet in any car can become dangerous for the pet and the driver. Always secure your pet!
emt l. on September 17, 2013 at 2:49pm
THANK YOU for this information. I have seen and heard from my colleagues of too many little critters taking the "hit" from crashes because the little guys were not secured in the vehicles. I will not even describe the injuries these innocent pets have experienced due to their owners poor decisions. Maybe someday, the owners will "get it."
Tammie on September 17, 2013 at 3:18pm
My dog Mojo (90# boxer mix) loves to ride in the back seat and she tolerates her restraint harness, without putting up a fuss. It is less distracting for me and safer for her.
Andy on September 17, 2013 at 5:56pm
My Jack Russell rides where ever he feels comfortable. In the window, on lap, or back seat. I don't believe in restraining an animal. Its inhuman.I have never had an accident, and I also drive long haul.
Ruth on September 17, 2013 at 7:20pm
We love our dogs too much to let them unrestrained in the car
Kira on September 18, 2013 at 8:26am
I choose restrained in the back seat because it is Safer in case someone hits you. My dog used to stand with his two front legs on the center console. Then one day an accident occurred and he flew to the front hitting the radio. Ever since hes laid down on the backseat floorboard once I put the car in motion. Thank God he still loves car rides. It really comes down to how much you love your dog. Do you love your dog enough to let him sit in your lap and get crunched between you and the airbag if something bad happened? Do you love your dog enough to let him hang out the window and a car t-bone you and then the love for your dog that you have is the tears as you stand by his grave side? Always properly restrain your dog that shows more love than anything in the world.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:05pm
Thanks for your comment, Kira. We’re glad your dog was okay and still enjoys to go for rides!
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:05pm
Thanks for your comment, Ruth.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:06pm
Thanks for your comment, Andy.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:07pm
Thanks for sharing, Tammie. We love your dog’s name!
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:07pm
You’re welcome, Lisa. Thank you for reading.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:07pm
We agree, Ron. Thanks for commenting.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:07pm
Thanks for your comment, Barbara! We agree.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:08pm
That’s great that they love their car seats! Thanks for commenting.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:08pm
Sounds like you have a good system in place, Cathleen. Thanks for commenting.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:08pm
We agree, Tammi. Thanks for your comment.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:08pm
Thanks for sharing, Tiffany.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:09pm
That’s a good point, Lorrie. We love your term “furbaby.”
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:09pm
Thanks for sharing Jolene, sounds like they are safe and sound.
Ally A. on September 18, 2013 at 2:09pm
That’s a great point, Melissa. Thanks for commenting.
Enciole on September 18, 2013 at 6:15pm
You know I never really realized how unsafe not having my pet restrained could be. Thanks for some insight.
Jeffrey P. on September 19, 2013 at 8:25am
thanks for sharing
Ally A. on September 19, 2013 at 1:19pm
You’re welcome, Jeffrey. Thanks for reading.
Ally A. on September 19, 2013 at 1:19pm
You’re welcome Enciole, thanks for your comments.
Cathy on September 19, 2013 at 6:09pm
I bought a car harness for my chocolate lab, Leia, and she took 2 minutes to tear it apart. She sits nicely in the back seat and has never been a problem.
Ally A. on September 27, 2013 at 2:32pm
Thanks for your comment, Cathy. Car harnesses certainly may not work for every dog.
Celeste on October 1, 2013 at 2:12pm
My pets always travel in crates in the back. What would happen if bow wow or meow was in the front on a lap and the air bag went off during an accident?