There are lots of reasons why you may end driving with your canine friend in the car. A trip to the vet, a day at the park or even a family road trip. Here are some tips on how to keep your dog and yourself safe:
- It may be tempting to just let your dog jump in the car and sit wherever it wants, but it's not the safest thing for you or your pet. It's much safer to properly secure your dog using a crate, a harness or a nylon mesh pet barrier between the rear cargo compartment and the rear seat.
- Don't allow your dog to stick its head out the window, especially on the highway, it could suffer eye damage from flying road debris and insects.
- If you are planning to take your dog on a long road trip for the first time, desensitize it by taking it on some short trips first. Make the trips fun and reward good car behavior.
- Make sure to always bring along everything that you may need, even on a short trip. This includes a bowl, food and water, a blanket, toys, treats, and a leash. Giving your dog a chew toy for the ride will help to keep it busy and relaxed.
- Be aware of the temperature where your dog is positioned. If necessary, open a window or adjust the air conditioning or heating to prevent overheating or a chill.
- If you're going on a road trip, put a piece of tape on the dog's tags with a local phone number or cell number in case the dog gets loose. Your home number won't be of much help to someone who finds the dog while you're traveling.
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