Think about car travel from the perspective of your dog.
You’re loaded into a large machine that always outruns you as it whisks away your favorite people. When you do get in you are free to roam the car – unlike the two-legged members of your family. The Travel Industry Association of America estimates that 29 million of the 71 million dog owners in the country drive with a dog in the car. But 80 percent of dog owners report not restraining their dog in the car, according to a survey from the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association.
Considering that an unrestrained 60-pound dog carries a force of 1,200 pounds in a 30 mph collision, leaving your dog loose in your vehicle isn’t safe for you or your dog. A dog car harness, dog booster seats, or portable dog crate will also keep your dog from running away in the event of an accident. (Our friend Caroline Coile, Ph.D. details a horrifying accident in her article “Car Accidents and Your Dog.”)
Dog car harnesses come ready to help just about any size dog. Basic dog travel harnesses, like the Safe Traveler Harness and Canine Zip Line fit most dogs and attach to your car’s seat belt. Booster seats give small dogs a great view of the road and often come with a safety harness. Boosters also help prevent small dogs from getting car sick by allowing them to see the road when the car’s moving.
For more information and ideas about dog travel safety in the car and on the road refer to our Dog Friendly Car Travel Checklist.
