If there is one thing that makes me angry and scared at the same time, it’s seeing dogs in cars that are clearly not securely fastened into their seat. We wouldn’t dream of putting a child in a car without the proper child seat and buckled in and it’s against the law (at least in most parts of the world) to drive without wearing a seat belt. Why, then, do dog owners feel that there is any less risk in driving with their dog in the car unfastened?
I’d like to think that people are simply unaware of the hazards. In this post, we’ll discuss the risks of driving with a dog that is not securely fastened in its seat and what you can do to mitigate these risks the next time you take your dog for a ride.
Risk Factor 1: Accidents
If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know how little it takes to create a lot of damage. Imagine now that your dog is in the car with you. If your dog is unfastened in the car and you get into an accident, your dog could become a projectile. That’s right. Your dog could go through the windshield and could go through the windshield. When driving 55 km/hr (or 35 mph), a 60-pound dog carries a force of 2,700 pounds. (https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/pets-and-distracted-driving/)
Risk Factor 2: Dogs in the Front Passenger Seat
Some dog owners allow their dogs to ride up front with them. Others will allow a friend or family member to hold their small dog or puppy in their lap while riding in the front passenger seat. If you find yourself in this situation, I would ask that you reconsider having a passenger hold your dog in their lap (remember our projectile example?) or ensure that your dog is securely fastened. Also, I can’t stress this enough, ensure the passenger side airbag is disengaged. Otherwise, if the airbag were to deploy in as the result of an accident, then your dog could be crushed.
Risk Factor 3: Dogs and Puppies are a Distraction
Finally, any dog, especially a puppy, that is not restrained could distract the car’s driver. That distraction could ultimately cause a car accident.
Actions you can Take to Mitigate Risks
Mitigating Action 1: Use a Crate
You will often see dog walkers, doggy daycares, and the like transport dogs in crates in their vehicles. Typically, they would have a large vehicle (like a van) to house several dog crates. Those with larger vehicles, like an SUV or van, may also set up a crate to transport their dogs in the back of their vehicle.
My vehicle is not large enough to do so, and even if it were, I don’t think I would have my dog in a crate in the car. This is a personal choice, but if there were ever an accident and my dog was in a crate in the car, he would get jostled about inside the crate. Unless the crate is lined with something soft, I will stick to my personal method, which we’ll discuss next.
Mitigating Action 2: Dog Seat Belt
I personally like to use a seat belt specifically designed for dogs. They come in various styles and sizes, but fundamentally, it is a leash with a clasp for your dog’s harness on one end and a seat belt clip on the other. I do recommend pairing it with a dog harness. A harness goes around the dog’s chest, which can take more pressure if you were in a car accident. The alternative would be to fasten the dog seat belt to its collar. However, this could ultimately choke your dog in case of an accident.
Mitigating Action 3: Child Door Locks Engaged
Most cars have a child lock safety feature on the back doors. You can find it on the inside panel of the car door. This feature prevents the door from being opened from the inside. An active or anxious pup in the back seat might inadvertently open the car door while driving. Even with the dog tethered to the back seat, I wouldn’t want him to fall out or be crushed by a flying car door. Not to mention, this could certainly cause an accident. For this reason, and with an abundance of caution, the child safety locks are engaged in my car.
Mitigating Action 4: Dog Car Blanket (for Puppies or Anxious Dogs)
Another thing I like to use is a doggie blanket. These specially designed blankets are fastened to the headrests in the back and front seats, creating something similar to a hammock. The blanket acts as a protective barrier, not only from damage as the result of urine and the dog scratching or biting the seats, but it also helps to prevent the dog from falling to the floor of the back seat area or climbing to the front of the car. Most of these blankets also have a mesh section that falls between the car’s front seats. This gives the dog (and you) visual access and helps air flow to the back seat.
I used it with my last dog when we moved from Toronto, Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was nervous in the car, but she was very patient during our 2-day road trip. More recently, I travelled with my then 9-week-old puppy from Quebec City. He was excellent in the car. He had one accident (which was my fault for not stopping sooner), but the seat was protected. I was astonished that it worked so well.
Mitigating Action 5: Windows
Car windows can provide great airflow, and for many dogs, and sticking their head out of the car window is complete bliss. This can be very dangerous for your dog, however. (Sorry to be the party pooper here). Dust, debris, and even small rocks could get kicked up and scratch or damage their eyes. There are products like doggles (doggie goggles) that are both adorable and effective at preventing eye damage (and a hefty vet bill), but some dogs don’t like to keep them on.
Additionally, that same dust, debris, and rock could hurt the dog’s ears. You can get earmuffs for dogs, which look like leg warmers over a dog’s head. The other risk is that your dog may get a glimpse or scent of something irresistible and jump out the car window.
True story: My mother had a Great Pyrenees dog who loved riding in the car. The car window was open, and something caught his attention. Normally, this dog was very well-behaved and obedient. On this occasion, however, he jumped out of the moving vehicle. He was a 120-130 lb dog – jumping out the window of a moving vehicle. If he could do it, I’m sure your dog could as well.
To mitigate these risks, I recommend only keeping your car windows open slightly – enough for your dog to enjoy the fresh air but not enough to stick his head out of the window. Like child safety locks for doors, if your car has a child lock for windows, I would encourage you to engage those. Although it might be a fluke, your dog may hit the right button in the right way and inadvertently open the window.
Mitigating Factor 6: Dog Car Seats
For smaller dogs and puppies, you can get car seats specifically designed for dogs. I haven’t used one personally, but they look pawdorable. If you have used one, or are considering getting one, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Conclusion
Going on a road trip with your four-legged friend can be a wonderful adventure for you both. Like any family member, you want to ensure they are safe while in a car. So whether it’s your car or someone else’s, I encourage you to ensure they’re buckled up or safely secured.
