Drive Safe: Why You Need to Restrain Your Dog in the Car
The breeze is flowing through your hair, as you cruise along the interstate with the windows down and the tunes turned up.
You and your family are on your way to the beach, and you begin to smell the salt in the air.
Little do you know, you are one moment away from a life-altering tragedy.
Make sure you are prepared for the worst, while hoping for the best, on your next road trip with your dog.
Dogs Don't Make Good Co-Pilots While you're focusing on the teenager in the car next to you, who is busy texting her friends rather than paying attention to the road, it's hard to realize that you may be putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger.
Even the best trained dogs have excitable moments.
Your pooch should always have a barrier preventing them from hopping into the front seat.
My own dog, Coby, relaxes in the backseat during car rides, without paying too much attention to his dog mom and dad.
We still strap him in.
He is a fearful boy, and we do not want him to hear a loud burst of thunder and come bounding to the front seat looking for perceived safety.
Caution: Flying Objects There is something so freeing about watching a dog flourishing with their head out the window.
This time-tested tradition is one that most dogs get enjoyment out of, but is it worth the risk? Anyone who has read Marley and Me has heard the story about Marley jumping out the window and creating a scene.
Marley's anecdote is actually a best case scenario for this kind of story.
Dogs won't wait for the car to slow down, if they see something interesting, they're going for it.
What happens if you have to swerve to avoid a child who runs into the road? Your dog may go flying out the window, with no warning at all.
While your dog may love the breeze whipping through their ears, lips and tongue, they will not enjoy the vet visit they must endure (and you have to pay for), when a flying object or rogue branch smacks them in the face.
An unluckily placed rock can cause your dog serious, irreversible eye damage.
Worst Case Scenario We all would like to believe that we have cat-like reflexes and will respond to any situation with grace.
Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Accidents happen in a split-second, often without a driver even realizing the inevitable.
You wear your seatbelt, but have you prepared your dog for such an unfortunate event? If not, you should be aware of the possible dangers associated with dogs and car accidents.
An un-restrained dog can go flying through the windshield in even the slightest fender-bender.
Not only does this endanger your precious pooch's safety, but everyone else in the car.
A small dog has the potential to cause major injuries to a person, when they are soaring through the air at 50 miles per hour.
If your buddy does manage to stay in the car, what if you are hurt? It's important for first responders to be able to get into the car without any distractions, especially if you are in need of life-saving care.
Even the nicest dog can become aggressive if they are in a scary situation or are hurt.
If your dog is restrained, emergency workers can assist you with ease, not having to worry about getting bit by a protective pup.
So, what if your dog would never be aggressive, even if they are scared? What if an emergency worker opens the car door, and your dog gets out.
In scary situations, animals choose fight or flight.
Your dog may take the opportunity to run, with adrenaline rushing through their body, until they are gone.
So, what is a Dog Parent to Do? Do some research into what will provide the best protection for your pet.
The Center for Pet Safety recommends that owners seek out harnesses that provide protection in the event of a car accident.
Window screens can help your pup enjoy the fresh scent of the outdoors, while keeping them in the safety zone.
Barriers, crates and fencing can help you stay distraction-free.
That being said, they will not provide the same protection that dog seatbelts and harnesses provide to your beloved pet.
Read reviews from experts to help you find the best security for your situation.
Be proactive today!
You and your family are on your way to the beach, and you begin to smell the salt in the air.
Little do you know, you are one moment away from a life-altering tragedy.
Make sure you are prepared for the worst, while hoping for the best, on your next road trip with your dog.
Dogs Don't Make Good Co-Pilots While you're focusing on the teenager in the car next to you, who is busy texting her friends rather than paying attention to the road, it's hard to realize that you may be putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger.
Even the best trained dogs have excitable moments.
Your pooch should always have a barrier preventing them from hopping into the front seat.
My own dog, Coby, relaxes in the backseat during car rides, without paying too much attention to his dog mom and dad.
We still strap him in.
He is a fearful boy, and we do not want him to hear a loud burst of thunder and come bounding to the front seat looking for perceived safety.
Caution: Flying Objects There is something so freeing about watching a dog flourishing with their head out the window.
This time-tested tradition is one that most dogs get enjoyment out of, but is it worth the risk? Anyone who has read Marley and Me has heard the story about Marley jumping out the window and creating a scene.
Marley's anecdote is actually a best case scenario for this kind of story.
Dogs won't wait for the car to slow down, if they see something interesting, they're going for it.
What happens if you have to swerve to avoid a child who runs into the road? Your dog may go flying out the window, with no warning at all.
While your dog may love the breeze whipping through their ears, lips and tongue, they will not enjoy the vet visit they must endure (and you have to pay for), when a flying object or rogue branch smacks them in the face.
An unluckily placed rock can cause your dog serious, irreversible eye damage.
Worst Case Scenario We all would like to believe that we have cat-like reflexes and will respond to any situation with grace.
Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Accidents happen in a split-second, often without a driver even realizing the inevitable.
You wear your seatbelt, but have you prepared your dog for such an unfortunate event? If not, you should be aware of the possible dangers associated with dogs and car accidents.
An un-restrained dog can go flying through the windshield in even the slightest fender-bender.
Not only does this endanger your precious pooch's safety, but everyone else in the car.
A small dog has the potential to cause major injuries to a person, when they are soaring through the air at 50 miles per hour.
If your buddy does manage to stay in the car, what if you are hurt? It's important for first responders to be able to get into the car without any distractions, especially if you are in need of life-saving care.
Even the nicest dog can become aggressive if they are in a scary situation or are hurt.
If your dog is restrained, emergency workers can assist you with ease, not having to worry about getting bit by a protective pup.
So, what if your dog would never be aggressive, even if they are scared? What if an emergency worker opens the car door, and your dog gets out.
In scary situations, animals choose fight or flight.
Your dog may take the opportunity to run, with adrenaline rushing through their body, until they are gone.
So, what is a Dog Parent to Do? Do some research into what will provide the best protection for your pet.
The Center for Pet Safety recommends that owners seek out harnesses that provide protection in the event of a car accident.
Window screens can help your pup enjoy the fresh scent of the outdoors, while keeping them in the safety zone.
Barriers, crates and fencing can help you stay distraction-free.
That being said, they will not provide the same protection that dog seatbelts and harnesses provide to your beloved pet.
Read reviews from experts to help you find the best security for your situation.
Be proactive today!
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