Dogs In Cars – Some Common-sense Tips
Even if you are lucky enough live near a park or a beach or you have land to exercise your dog, there will be come time when you will have to take your dog in the car. This can be quite un-nerving for some dogs and it is worth putting some thought and time into helping your dog get used to travelling in a car while it is still a pup. Here we will explore some easy things to do in order to ensure that travelling with dogs in cars is an effortless, safe and pleasant experience for all.  Waiting.... The first thing to consider is where your dog will travel. If you have a small dog, then there are pet crates that you can put on a car seat and anchor down using the car seatbelts. If your dog is a little larger, then obviously this is not going to work. You have to bear in mind safety as well as the comfort of the dog. For that reason, it is important that your dog rides in the boot of the car, providing that you have a car with a tailgate (like an estate car, station wagon or hatchback). You can not use a self-contained boot (or trunk) of a car to transport your dog. If this is the sort of car you have, then you will have to travel with a person in the rear seats holding the dog on its lead during the journey. Assuming that you have a hatchback or station wagon, remove the parcel shelf and fit a dog guard which prevents the dog climbing through to the cockpit of the car. The last thing that you want is an over-enthusiastic hound jumping around and trying to take the controls as you zoom along! An more expensive alternative is to buy a special crate designed for carrying dogs in cars that fits the dimensions of your car. The next thing on the list is to make sure that your dog loves going for a car journey. Do this by starting with short journeys to the park or somewhere the dog will have loads of fun. Play with the dog for a while and then drive home. Try to do this two or three times a week and the dog will soon associate going in the car with a fun time. Then when you need to go somewhere less pleasant, say, to the vet, the dog will not be wary. There are some things that you will need to have with you:
There are some basic do’s and don’ts which are important when taking dogs in cars. Firstly, dogs can get very excited when reaching a destination and will want to hop straight out of the car the moment the tailgate gets high enough. It can be tricky to get control of them at this point and remember, your dog is excited and disorientated and could easily just run into the road. It is therefore a good idea to attach 2 long dog leads together and attach one end to the anchor point in the car trunk and one end to your dog. Then, your dog is not completely restricted and can hop out of the car but is still controlled. Secondly, do not leave a dog in a car in sunlight. Even if the air temperature outside is moderate, cars tend to be airtight and will get hot inside. If you must leave your dog in a car for a short while, make sure you are parked in the shade and at least one window is partially cranked open Cat sickness is another concern when transporting dogs in cars. This is rarer in dogs that have been used to car travel since they were puppies but can still be a problem in some dogs. To help combat this, make sure the dog can see out of a window and also make sure that there is fresh air – open a window. If it is still a problem, a vet can recommend car sickness products and dosages. Similarly, if you have a dog who just will not calm down enough to get used to car travel. In these cases when you really have to transport your dog it is best to ask your vet for some mild tranquillizers for the dog to ease its stress. Take a look at the links on the left to find professional training guides for you to work more easily with your pet dog, creating a happier, healthier relationship between you. Here is an ideal dog guard for your car. It is strong, solid and universal to fit almost any vehicle. It also does not restrict your rear view like some of the more flimsy mesh products do. Here is a 5 star product review from customer C. Ehlers:
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