One of the best things about having dogs in your life is that you get to take them with you on adventures. Whether you’re off to your favourite hiking trail or a family stroll on the promenade – everything is more fun when the dogs come along for the ride.
Travelling with dogs can be hazardous though:
- Road trips are hugely exciting and an unrestrained dog jumping around the car could easily injure itself, or cause an accident.
- In an accident your dog will be a dead weight thrown around the car and is likely to be seriously injured and cause injury to other occupants.
- Getting in and out of the car at your destination and often involves nearby traffic and other exciting distractions. Dogs are naturally impulsive and could be triggered into dashing off – with potentially tragic results.
Here’s our list of car safety tips to make sure all your road trips, are safe trips:
Traveling Safely
- Harnesses that clip into the safety belt are ideal for keeping your dog safe and secure.
- Alternatively clip the lead onto a secure part of the car. Hatchbacks have metal loops on the floor designed for this.
The securing lead must be attached to a harness – never a collar. - Dogs should not travel in the open back of a bakkie. If you have a canopy you should have pet bars on the canopy windows and secure the dog with a harness.
- If your crate can fit into the car it’s the ideal way for dogs to travel on longer trips. Make sure to secure the crate with some strapping to make sure it can’t slide around.
- Dogs should not be allowed to hang their heads out of the car window, stones, and other debris kicked up off the road can result in facial and eye injuries.
Getting In And Out Of The Car
- Ask your dog to sit and wait before getting in and out of the car.
- Clip the leash to your dog before opening the door.
- Only invite them out of the car once you have a firm grip on the leash and keep them on it until you are clear of nearby roads and parking areas.
- If you need to stop somewhere never leave your dog in the car when it is hot, even with the windows are open. Dogs die very quickly from heatstroke and the temperature inside a parked car can skyrocket – think about how hot your steering wheel gets parked in the sun!