Keep your pup safe in the car!
On a very hot, 90 degree day in July 2007, coming back from an agility trial, me, my sis Gracie, and Mum were involved in a dangerous car accident on Interstate I-70 just west of Dayton, Ohio.
It was a very scary situation, and one we don't ever want to repeat. But one thing is certain, if Mum hadn't had us restrained in the car...well, I just hate to think of what could have happened to me and Gracie.
Here we will explore the ways in which you can keep your pup safe in your vehicle car when traveling.
Why restrain?
There are so many reasons to take precautions when traveling with your pup. Each year thousands of animals are injured, die or become needlessly lost in car accidents. Let's explore:- Your pup could distract you and cause an accident.
- If you were involved in an accident, your pup could escape from the car and become lost.
- They could be seriously injured or needlessly die if loose in your vehicle.
- Other equipment or items in your car can injure your pup in just a slight fender bender.
Read on for more information on what you can do. And please remember, keep your pets out of the front seat and safe from the airbag!
Driving safely!
No Tails Left Unbuckled
To keep your pets, yourself and others safe when driving, please remember to buckle and/or crate your pets no matter how short a trip you are taking. Don't let your dog hang its head out the window - flying debris, dust and pollen may hit the soft tissue resulting in infection, injury and trauma. Learn more about "No Pets Left Unbuckled" at http://www.wagn4u.com/no_pets_left_unbuckled_campaign.html For the best line of pet emergency products, visit http://www.wagn4u.com
Traveling with your dog!
- ASPCA: Car Travel Tips
- The top ten tips for safe car travel.
- HSUS: Preparing Your Pet's Travel Supplies
- Make sure you have all the supplies you need to safely and happily go on the road.
- HSUS: Traveling by Car
- Tips on traveling safely with your dog.
- How To Travel Safely With A Dog
- Great tips and resources for traveling with your dog from Dog Scout!
Get cool stuff for cool dogs at JohannTheDog.com!
JohannTheDog.com - where you can shop for cool stuff for cool dogs.JohannTheDog.com has put together, in one place, all the cool stuff you need for your dog.
Find dog beds, all natural foods and treats, collars, leashes, charms, training and agility gear, vitamins and supplements, books, clothing, toys, crates, dog seat belts, t-shirts and other cool stuff for two and four-leggers!
And the best part is they donate 10% of their profits to dog shelters and rescues!
Types of dog restraints for automobiles!
There are several ways to restrain your dog in your automobile. It's a personal decision and one that is based on many individual factors. We'll explore here the various ways to help you make a more informed decision.One of the most popular dog restraint for traveling in cars is the crate. Whether it's a soft crate, wire crate or plastic crate will depend on your individual circumstances and the available space in your vehicle.
Crates are a preferred choice when you have the space available, and the best choice when you have equipment in your car that can shift during an impact. All that equipment can be very dangerous, not only to you, but your pup.
Another good choice if you have one dog or dogs that get along well with each other, is a dog seat belt. They come in a wide variety of price ranges and you get what you pay for. Read our link on seat belt reviews to help you make a more informed decision.
If you have a small dog, a dog car seat may be a good choice. They come in several styles, and are secured with your seat belt, or an included restraint that attaches to your seat or seatbbelt. These help elevate your small dog so that they can easily see out the window, and are cushioned for comfort.
Great harnesses and seatbelts to keep your pup safe!
Ruff Rider - Roadie Elite Dog Safety HarnessThe most popular dog harness restraint is the Ruff Rider.
The Roadie Elite Dog Safety Harness is tested to US human seatbelt standards. Researched and independently tested, Ruff Rider's Roadie Canine Vehicle Safety/Training Harness keeps the dog you love safe while you are driving, braking or turning and affords the best protection in extreme situations.
It easily attaches to any vehicle's seatbelt system, and it includes a built-in short walking lead for all-around use. Every Ruff Rider Roadie is veterinarian-approved & exceeds S.A.E. tensile strength standards for human seat belts.
Lookout Type OS1This is the perfect booster seat for small dogs that like to ride with you in the car and also see out the window. Features seatbelt slot to keep it securely in place, we also recommend using a harness for added security.
Quick StayMost canine travel restraints are rarely used because they are confusing and difficult to put on. The Quick Stay, however, is as easy to fasten as your own seatbelt. It also has a unique, patented shock-absorbing design. Quick Stay easily snaps around a fastened seatbelt in any car and prevents your dog from moving around the car and possibly distracting the driver.
PetBuckle Seat Belt HarnessSecure your dog in your vehicle. See the description and information above for the details. The PetBuckle Travel Harness can be adjusted to fit any dog over 10 lbs. with a chest size of 14" or larger.
PetBuckle Travel KitThe universal fit PetBuckle Travel Kit contains everything you need to safely protect your dog in your vehicle. It allows freedom of movement while your dog is safely secured and prevents your dog from distracting you while you drive. Your dog will still be able to watch out the window or lie down and sleep. Protect your loved one from sudden stops, starts, and mild collisions.
Get all the gear you need to be prepared!
Dog restraints, an important part of travel for your pup!
- Dog Seatbelt Feature Comparison
- All kinds of great info on which dog seat belt is right for you, brought to you by Canine Auto Restraint Equipment.
- Why dogs should not be loose in your vehicle - A very important blog post from Taj MuttHall
- If you travel with your dog, please, please read this important blog post from a fellow dog agility competitor. Here is just one of the several important stories in her post:
"Years ago Mom was driving her van with a dog crated in the back. Traffic on the freeway came to a dead stop but the driver behind her didn't notice and plowed into her at 60mph.
Mom's van was shoved forward into the car ahead of her, the back doors popped open and the crate landed on the freeway. The van was totaled but the dog was fine." - Car Restraints for Dogs
- All about the different types of dog restraints!
- Protect Your Pooch From Injury With A Dog Car Restraint
- A dog car restraint is a great step in preventing injury to your pooch or other passengers. Read more!
- Consumer Reports: Car safety for dogs
- The final, critical component for responsible travel with a pet is to properly secure the animal. In an accident, an unrestrained dog becomes a projectile, risking serious injury to the animal and human passengers.
- Joy ride or nightmare
- To allow a dog loose in a car is put him at unnecessary and unfair risk. Read more!
- Dog Safety: How to Keep Your Dog Safe when Riding in Your Car
- An unsecured dog in a moving vehicle is a potential danger to you, your passengers, your dog, and other motorists. Read more.
- Bark-Buckle Up
- Bark-BuckleUP campaign educates pet parents on how to put on and take off safety pet belts and the importance of securing their pet safely for travel.
Great travel crates!
NozToNoz X-Series Soft Dog CratesThe X-Series is considered the "professional" model in the NozToNoz series and comes with a few more bells and whistles than the N2-Series model. The frames of the two crates are identical.
Precision Pet Great Crate for DogsHere's a folding 2 door dog crate for everyday use that won't cost you an arm and a leg. It's built to last and it looks good too!
PetMate Vari-Kennel Traditional Pet CrateClassic Kennel is reliable and practicle and is made with durability that will last for years. Assembles in seconds without tools, made of easy-to-clean, high impact plastic, and packed with features designed for your pet's safety and comfort.
Tag 'em!
Keeping identification on your dog is so very important. Surprise accidents, and emergencies happen when you least expect them. There are several ways to provide identification for your pup.1. Microchip. I have a HomeAgain microchip embedded just underneath the skin between my shoulder blades, so does my sis, Gracie, and my kittie bros, Wolfie and Wiggy. We know that if we get lost and someone finds us, that any veterinarian shelter can scan our chip and instantly know how to get in touch with our Mum.
2. Another type of identification is through the HomeAgain ID Tag. For under $20.00 you can receive a tag and a membership in the HomeAgain National Pet Recovery Database. So if your lost pet is taken to an animal shelter or veterinarian, his unique HomeAgain ID number will be used to look up your contact information and reunite you with your pet.
3. Last but certainly not least, is provide a collar id tag for your pup's collar. Include on the tag your name, address and phone number, veterinarians contact information, your pup's microchip id number, and an alternative contact phone number, just in case you can't be reached. Mum has found many dogs just wandering around our neighborhood. In every case, the pup was wearing identification and Mum was able to help reunited the lost pup with their owner within about 30 minutes. Lucky dogs!
Here's a tip: My Mum keeps a collar for both me and Gracie, and our kittie bros, Wolfie and Wiggy, in the car all the time. When we get in our crates to travel, there are very handy, and Mum can slip them on us quickly and easily. We have other sets for when we go outside and on walks.
Sad statistics for dogs who travel!
The Travel Industry Association of America says, "of the 71 million people in the U.S. who own dogs, over 29 million travel with them."
According to the 2007-2008 APPMA National Pet Owners Survey, "only 20% of pet owners use a restraint for their pet when they travel."
Deluxe Canine First Aid Kit
Deluxe Canine First Aid KitAccidents can happen so be prepared. The Deluxe Canine First Aid Kit is a high-quality first aid kit designed just for dogs. It contains over 40 veterinarian-recommended emergency items in a blue padded and insulated Thermos carrying case that is 10"L x 7"W x 3"D. This first aid kit also contains a 112-page book, Emergency First Aid for Your Dog by Dr. Tamara S. Shearer, which fits conveniently inside the cover of the kit.
A great first aid book for your car!
First Aid for the Active DogIt includes first aid treatments for all the common injuries and illnesses your dog might encounter outdoors. A detailed index and table of contents make this book quick to use. Small and light, it is perfect for a backpack or first aid kit. First Aid for the Active Dog is filled with life-saving techniques owners can use to deal with the type of emergencies they could encounter on a hunting trip, camping expedition, day hike or with any dog that works or plays outdoors.
Give me some woofs!
silkflorals wrote
So true! I remember when I was a young girl, my mother would let my dog, Baron, stick his head out the window. One day she hit a bump and poor Baron wen't flying out of the car. Fortunately, he was not hurt but it was a real wake up call. Great Lens!
[url=http://www.squidoo.com/dogsavvy]Let's Talk Dogs[/url]
Posted April 13, 2009
EverythingMouse wrote...
This is such an important subject. I so often see dogs on drives laps, running around in the back of the car or with their head out of the window. Their owners just haven't had the sense to think things through....
Posted January 04, 2009
falanfanny
Impressive presentation.I really enjoyed with your lens.Feel free to check out my the carrentallocator blog
Posted November 26, 2008
cannedguds wrote...
This is what exactly I've been looking for! I always take my Bassett Hound with me everywhere I go so I'm sure I really need this for her safety! thanks for sharing!by the way, I'm inviting you to take a look at something that has a wide collection of different dog checks and I'm sure you will love what you will see! They've got all kind of checks from Basset Hound checks to Pomeranian checks and many, many more!
Posted September 08, 2008
Holly Newman wrote
Hello - I'm the author of the Dog Seatbelt Feature Comparison. I beg you to add the Champion to your list of Great Seatbelt Links - www.canineauto.com
Thanks!
Posted August 29, 2008
by JohannTheDog
Hi, I'm Johann, nice to meet you! I have my own website, JohannTheDog.com, and Dog Blog.I'm an agility dog, do herding when I get the chance, and he... (more)
