Traveling With Your Pet: Tips For Both Your Safety (Part 1)
If you are planning a trip by car, the first thing you need to do is to get your dog used to riding in the car. The best way to do this is to take short trips in town to places such as pet stores, the dog park, or other places that are fun for your dog. He will learn that car trips mean great fun and you will experience much less of a hassle when traveling longer distances.
Another thing you need to do is decide how your dog will travel in the car. If your dog is crate trained, and your vehicle is large enough, you may want to consider crating him during car travel. This will help prevent him from roaming around the car and offer some protection in case of an accident. Bringing your dog’s crate with you will also help keep your dog safe and happy once you arrive at your destination. Many people choose to use other forms of restraint, such as canine seatbelts. These products usually hook on to a harness as well as your car’s seatbelt. You can choose which seat to put your dog in. He will remain restrained in that seat just as you are in yours. Canine seatbelts offer excellent protection in the event of an accident. For those of you who prefer to keep your dog loose in the car, you may want to consider installing a divider of some sort. There are metal dividers and mesh dividers available for all budgets. These devices allow for your dog to have some roaming space in the back of the vehicle while keeping him from interfering with your driving. Whichever way you prefer to travel, it’s best to have a plan well in advance of a trip to get your dog used to the method of restraint you will be using.