How sad is it that a person was killed because a dog distracted the driver of a car. There was so much that could have happened in order to have never even made this a possibility. We need to use this as a reminder of why dogs (and cats) should be restrained while driving in the car.
This is seriously our biggest Pet Peeve. People who think they are giving their dog a special treat by not restraining them in the car. It is easy enough for us to figure out a way to transport the dogs in a car without them running around loose. We either use their soft bags one on the floor of the passenger seat and one on the chair of the passenger seat OR on long drives they both go in the back in their crate. There is no way they can get loose from either location and as long as they sit down or lay down in their crate very little danger of them injuring themselves while I am driving. Our car looks something like this whenever we go on a road trip. Everything packed so that the crate can’t move around and the dogs secure inside. They have water to drink and soft blankets to lay on.
| Road Trip to multiple dog show with a tag along. |
Whenever I pass someone driving with their dogs head out the window or worse their dog on their lap while driving I want to turn on my IMAGINARY police sirens and explain that they are putting themselves and their dog in extreme danger. I was driving to a friends house recently and next to me there was a car full of people with a dog who had its front legs on the window with its head all the way out. I was honestly scared the dog was going to jump out. The people in the car were all laughing and looking so proud of themselves because their dog was having a “good time”. In this picture does anyone look upset about being in the crate? They look pretty excited about being in the car and going for an adventure to me. They love looking out the windows and seeing everything go by. But they do that from the safety of their crate where they can’t distract me while driving.
We know not everyone has a dog small enough to fit in a crate they can get in their cars but there are harness restraints, bars to put up so that your dog can’t get into the front with you, mess walls you can put up there are so many option to help keep you and your pet safe. We also know that some dogs are stinkier then others and so the window needs to be cracked open try opening your window or just leaving the windows open a crack so fresh air can get in. The girls love it when I open the sun roof when we are going slow so they can smell the air.
Excellent reminder!
Pat
http://www.critteralley.blogspot.com
Locally we have lots of rednecks who like their dogs riding in the back of pickup trucks. I panic every time I see it. Dogs with heads out of windows is right up there, followed by dogs on laps.
We call them “dumb” animals, but seriously, sometimes I think the humans are the dumb ones…
I totally agree with Crazie Eddie!!!
Great post. Thank you for the reminder. Here in the city I cringe every time I see a dog hanging out the window. Cars pass so close to one another that I am concerned that either the dogs head will come off or the dog will fly out the window. The other day a woman was driving like an idiot and when I was able to actually pass her, she was driving with a dog draped around her neck…I kid you not…I couldn't believe it. I wished I was a cop at that point.
Great post, all pet holders should think about it! And you are so right! There are so many possibilities to secure your dogs in the car!
xx
snoopundemily.blogspot.com
I agree, wholeheartedly. S
hiva's crate is too big to fit in the backseat of our truck but we bought one of those really nifty seat dividers and a seat belt for her. I admit we don't use the seat belt on long trips because it prevents her from laying down, but she is always prevented from moving up front and the window is never open wide enough for her to stick her head out. I know my dog; she WILL jump.
Thanks for the reminder!
Those of us with floppy ears, which are a lot of breeds, are more prone to ear infection and head out the window invites ear and eye infection. As for the back of pick ups…this summer some high schoolers were riding in the bed of a pick up when it was involved in an accident. They kids were thrown out and ended up critically injured and probably will never play sports again. Hawk aka BrownDog
This is a good point. I have been in a car accident with my cat and I was glad she was rstrained. However I do not know what to do with my dog who gets carsick and has to be on someone's lap. If you have any advice please let me know!
We're right there with Bitt – Yoshi gets carsick unless someone is holding him and forces him to at least look out the window, but he does even better if he is able to get a fresh breeze through the window. For long trips he gets crated and takes prescription car-sickness medication but we don't like doping him up for short trips to the vet or petco.