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At Lugaru K9 Training, we put a lot of work in public access training to make sure that our clients have the peace of mind and freedom to take their beloved pets anywhere dogs are permitted. This means car rides, and it also means that we are very familiar with the many different ways to transport dogs safely and conveniently in the car.
Whether you have planned a prolonged car trip or just a ride to the local park and are unsure whether to take your dog with you, it’s good to know how to keep your dog secure and safe. Keeping a dog secure in a car is two-fold when it comes to safety. For one, it is of course good to make sure your dog is protected should you be involved in a collision, car breakdown, or other road event. But keeping a dog secure in the car also provides the benefit of preventing those road incidents by keeping them settled and reducing the likelihood that they will post a distraction to the driver.
There are many options for transporting dogs in the car so you can make sure your pet is safe and comfortable throughout the journey. You will find pet safety products on the market well suited for every pet and situation traveling in a car.
Dog harness seat belts
Car seat belts provide security and comfort to your dog during the journey. In most cars, you will find dog harness seat belts with a tether attached to your vehicle’s seat belt. This harness seat belt provides firmness to the dog and prevents him from distracting you when you are driving the car. Without a seat belt, your dog could get serious injuries through collisions, or even through sharp stops, turns, and jerks.
Car seat belts are great, but remember that a seat belt should only ever be attached to a back-clip harness like a step-in harness. Never attach the dog seat belt clip to a flat collar, prong or other training collar, remote collar, halti, or a strappy harness such as the easy walk. This is because the dog seat belt will need to catch and support your dog if you get in a collision, and attaching it to small or awkwardly-placed tools can potentially injure your dog very severely in the event of a collision; make sure the harness you pick has a lot of surface area, is sized well for your dog, and includes padding if you can find one.
Zipline harness seat belt
The zipline dog seat belt is similar to the standard dog seat belt, but instead of clicking into the seat belt buckle or securing to the seatbelt itself, a zipline dog seat belt will run on a line that goes across the back seat of a vehicle or trunk area of a larger car or SUV. Because of this, your dog can enjoy a little more freedom and space at the back of your vehicle while still being secured in the car. It will protect your dog from jumping to the front part of the car which saves a driver from distraction and the incidents that can result from that distraction. Just like with the regular dog seat belt, you should always the zipline to a padded back-clip harness, which is then attached to two fixed points of your car.
Travel crates for dogs
Dog crates are designed to protect your dog during the journey. You can safely place a dog crate in your car, and in this way, your dog will safely remain in a confined area where they cannot get into car nonsense and are protected with an extra barrier in case of a collision. Dog crates are ideal for dogs that face anxiety while traveling in the car or become over-stimulated during transport. If your dog barks while sitting in the crate, then a good idea is to cover the crate up to make him calm. The pet owners recommend using dog crates while traveling because of their firmness. These crates provide a cozy place allowing your dog to relax and ease his nerves.
Travel crates are also a great option if you wnat to transport a dog in the bed of a truck because of that extra barrier of protection. Crates can be tethered down safely in these instances, and eliminates the risk of high-energy or difficult to manage dogs from jumping from the bed at stops.
For the best protection for your dog, consider a heavy-duty dog crate, or one specifically built for protecting dogs in the car. You can find some great options like Variocage and Zinger crates from our friends at Pet Pro Supply Co. These high-end crates are what pros prefer to transport their dogs because they are hands-down the safest option, and can keep dogs separated and completely secure.
Dog car barriers
Getting over-excited during the car trip needs the use of a barrier. Dog car barriers create a separation between the pet parent and the person driving the car.
The barriers are important for the safety of your dog. Most of the time, these car barriers are easy to install and remove from the car, though there are more semi-permanent solutions. Many of these barriers are modular and can easily fit in most vehicles, and being so they can also be moved between multiple vehicles and fit each one well.
The strong wall between the front and the rear seat of your vehicle is the best way to avoid the driver’s distraction, and additional barriers can be added to larger cars and SUVs to create separate spaces for multiple dogs. They also help protect your dog if you need to stop your car very suddenly, as the dog is confined to a smaller area.
These barriers are easy to find on Amazon and Chewy, but some higher-quality versions are available from Pet Pro Supply Co.
Car seat pet carrier
If you plan to take your small dog with you in your car, a pet carrier can be very helpful. Similarly to dedicated travel crates, pet carriers provide personal space to your dog, giving them protection and safety. You can buckle a pet carrier into the seat of the car and secure it by the seatbelt. It also comes with an interior tether which you can connect with the harness to keep your dog in place. These pet carriers are lightweight and easy to transport once you reach your final destination.
Pet hammock
Backseat hammocks for pets are also available in the market, providing comfort and safety to your dog in the car. It creates an enjoyable place for your dog, providing a little barrier between the front and back seat of the car. The good thing about a dog hammock is that you can use it along with a dog’s harness seat belt. These pet hammocks not only keep your car clean but also protect it from scratches and dog fur. You can easily install and remove a dog hammock when planning your car trip.
Booster seats for small dogs
If you have a small puppy or smaller-breed dog in your family and are wanting to travel with your pet, you will find many booster seats on the market that are easily attached to the car seat. These small dog car seats also come with a tether or built-in seatbelt that can easily be attached to the safety harness. It will keep your dog restricted in their designated and comfortable place. You can even hang some of these dog booster seats at the back of the front seat, where your dog can enjoy the view from the window as well.
Which is your favorite way to keep your dog safe in the car? Which ones have you used, and which worked best for you and your dog? Let us know in the comments!
