Riding In Cars with Dogs

We are delighted with our Wisteria Goldens family, and are grateful they aren’t part of the pet parent lifestyle trends we are addressing in our current Lifestyle Series, which are articles to prepare our readers to change habits we have seen (in the news and on the internet) in regard to safely caring for pets.
Our series is a checklist of tips and resources to assist in transitions from scary things we see pet parents doing to a safe and healthy happy lifestyle. We have seen a lot of ‘don’t do this’ type articles with massive amounts of scary statistics. Our series takes the next step in the transition, focusing on how to do safe healthy lifestyle right.

This page discusses special equipment designed to keep your dog safe while riding in the car with you. You will also find a checklist about scheduled trips, routines, habits, training, and important cautions to keep your travel companion safe, happy, and healthy.

Riding in Cars with Dogs — Equipment

This may include:
1. Harness (designed to work with your seat belts), and a
2.Carrier which is secured with a seat belt or a dedicated mounted support.

Visit your pet supply store and ask a lot of questions about the available carriers and harnesses for riding in the car. Think of this as a fact finding and determination on the best equipment for your dog. Consider a few of the most important factors in choosing the right equipment:

1. Weight Limit What is the weight limit on the carrier you are considering. It should be suited for your pet’s size and weight.
2.  Anchoring Method How is the equipment secured while in the car. Is it going to use your seat belt, a harness, or both.

Riding in Cars with Dogs — Schedule

Consider the following dynamics when you are planning to take your dog in the car with you. Important things to consider are:

1. Time of day (will meal time or nap time coincide with the time of the trip),
2.  Weather (will it be hot, cold, wet, windy, and so on),
3.  Destination (what do you need to bring in preparation for the destination), and
4.  Length of the trip (depending on the duration minutes, hours, or days, you will need to plan for different expected circumstances).

Riding in Cars with Dogs — Training

Socialization Training (a process to familiarize your dog with the sensations he/she will experience) is a key factor in preparation for any activity. Especially travel when you dog will experience a variety of new or unfamiliar things such as movement, sounds, and visual stimulation.

1.  Visualize each of the new sensations and
2.  Replicate them before you travel.
3.  Take short trips at first, in preparation for longer trips, and
4.  Plan time for breaks (stop for a little while now and then).

Riding in Cars with Dogs — Habits

Routine is essential in any activity you introduce into your lifestyle. Make a habit of providing routine actions such as the steps you take getting ready to leave and include your dog in the process of the routine. Routine examples:

1.  Get the harness,
2.  Put it on,
3.  Put on your shoes,
4.  Get the keys, and
5.  So on.

Important: Safety and Health

• Don’t leave your pet in the car alone & unrestrained.

There are dangers of leaving dogs in cars alone without a travel crate or harness. Unattended unrestrained pets could accidentally knock the car out of gear (for example).

• Don’t leave your dog in a hot car.

If the inside of the car will be hot, the car can become unsafe; even during the spring weather where the temperature feels comfortable outside, cars heat up quickly. Always consider your dog’s comfort, health, and safety first.

Read More Getting Lifestyle Right Series