How to make every ride a bow-WOW experience!
"
The No. 1 thing that you have to do when you transport your pet is
have them restrained," said Lisa Peterson, spokeswoman for the American
Kennel Club.
That is excellent advice since an unsecured dog can easily become a
projectile during a panic stop, even to the point of smashing through the windshield.
But what about airbags, you ask? A dog riding in the front passenger’s
seat would be as vulnerable as a small child would and probably be injured
during the deployment of an airbag. That’s why it’s best to secure
your dog in the backseat using a harness designed to work with the seatbelt.
Here are just a few reasons:
- Your dog can be a distraction. Distractions cause accidents. Stephen
King was hit by a car, as the driver was trying to keep his Rottweiler under
control.
- Pets without seatbelts are just like people without seatbelts. Buckle up for safety!
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Even well trained dogs have been known to jump after a chipmunk,
cat, or another dog. If your dog is in a seatbelt, he can't jump out the window
or run into the street when you open your door.
There are many sources for dog harnesses designed to work with a car’s
seatbelt system. Search the Internet and pick one you think your dog will like.
Many states are adopting so-called “doggie seatbelt laws,” but
most people don’t realize that “driving while distracted,” whether
by a cell phone or a pet riding unsecured in the car, is presently a citable
offense in all states.
If you use a crate, you might want to rethink that practice. In an
accident, a crate or cage will go flying through the air just like an unrestrained
dog. If the crate itself is secured, your dog will be slammed against the walls
of the crate. However you secure your pets, don’t leave them in your
vehicle. In warm weather, cars turn into ovens.
Going for a ride with your dog is great fun, especially when Miss Doggy
can share the sights, sounds and sniffs with you. That’s why many dog
caregivers are treating their special companions to booster seats designed
for dogs.
Believe it or not, a booster seat may be just the ticket for preventing
travel sickness should your dog be sensitive in that way. The movement of fluid
in the inner ear, which can make your dog feel off-balance, causes motion sickness.
Being able to see out the window and get oriented is often the key to happy
car rides.
Anyone who regularly rides with a dog knows that having a nose poking
out an open window is pure ecstasy for a canine. However, dogs with their heads
out the car window can receive eye injuries from dust and debris. You can prevent
eye problems with a nifty item called “Doggles.” They are actually
goggles for dogs, hence the name. Unlike ordinary sunglasses for dogs, Doggles
actually protect a dog’s eyes from foreign objects, wind, and UV light.
Doggles are modeled after sports goggles with flexible, snug-fitting, foam-padded
frames, polycarbonate (shatterproof) and anti-fog lenses, and adjustable elastic
head and chin straps to keep the Doggles securely on just about any size of
dog. Most dogs get accustomed to wearing them quite readily. Again, an Internet
search will quickly come up with a source for Doggles.
So the next time you’re driving Miss Doggy, consider your pup’s
safety and comfort. Properly equipped, you’ll both say bow-WOW to car
rides!
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