Driving around with your beloved furry friend can be fun for both of you. Some dogs love going for a ride while others not so much. Sometimes the trip is necessary- the vet or groomers and sometimes for fun, unfortunately a trip in the car can become dangerous. Here are a few safety trips for traveling with your canine companion:
- Always be prepared (with supplies)– Whether running down the street or going on vacation, make sure you have everything you need for your dog: collar, current ID tags with correct phone number and address, water, doggie bag, treats and kibble. If you get delayed or an accident does happen, these are things you wont have to worry about.
- Kennels– The safest place for a dog is in a kennel. They may not appreciate the confinement; the safest place for long distance travel is inside an appropriately sized kennel. It will protect your dog in the event of an accident. Do not forget to buckle up the crate.
- Seatbelts– If you don’t have the space for a crate, consider dog seat belts. There are a variety of belts out there based on the size and strength of your dog. It may sound silly, but it’s safer.
- Car manners– Sometimes you may not have access to a kennel or dog seat belt. It will serve you many purposes to train your dog to stay calm in the car. You can train your puppy or dog in “car manners”, this is a two-person job. One person to drive while the other person sits in the backseat with the dog and provides treats and positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior- sitting/ lying down with your verbal cues. Just like any other dog training, your pup will eventually associate sitting/ lying down with treats and cues.
These are a few ideas on how to keep your family pet safe while on the road. Come by Dr. Automotive in Smyrna and our certified technicians will make sure that the car they’re riding in is just as safe.