Certainly that inevitable winter camping trip or weekend drive to the park will include every member of the family, including your beloved Schnauzer, Beagle, or Weimaraner! We have put together a few pointers (no pun intended) for making sure that your pup is safe and happy during the trips you take this holiday season. Here are our recommendations for riding in cars with dogs:
No Shotgun for Fido–It is always recommended not to allow your pet to sit in the passenger seat of your vehicle. For your safety, his safety, and the safety of others on the road, make sure your dog has plenty of room to sit behind the driver. For about $20 you can get a pet restraint device that buckles your pet to the seatbelt, but still allows plenty of flexibility.
Windows Up!–Your poodle is going to want to stick her head out the window, but it simply isn’t safe. If she needs fresh air, take her on a relaxing walk. Too many times dogs catch ear infections from the wind, or get injured trying to jump out the window to teach some alley cat a lesson.
Crates Are Best–Though your dog may appear miserable and may refuse to cooperate, using a crate to transport from point A to point B is the preferred option of many trainers and professionals. Dog transport crates offer the fewest distractions to the driver and give the pet time to rest during what may seem like a much longer trip than it does to you.
Long Trips–If you are taking long trips, map out the rest areas ahead of time, and allot at least 20 minutes of play time for all the passengers at each stop.
Safety First–When a pet is along for the ride, it is leisure time for all. There is no reason to sacrifice safety for speed. Cool down the pace and be cautious of what is going on at all times