You probably always wear your seat belt when you drive. If you’re like 80 percent of pet owners, however, you probably think nothing of keeping your pet unrestrained when you take him in your car with you. Even if you believe that your dog really knows how to stay levelheaded when in a car, or if you’re just going out for a couple of minutes, experts recommend that you always use restraints for a dog in a vehicle.
Does your dog really need a seat belt?
Distracted driving causes several deaths and hundreds of injuries every day. While cellphones tend to be responsible for most distracted driving, two out of three dog owners say that they’ve been distracted driving with their dog in the car. Dogs that are unrestrained can also become dangerous in a crash. The force of an impact can turn them into a dangerous projectile. Even if your dog only weighs 10 pounds, in the event of a crash at 50 miles an hour, he can exert as much as 500 pounds of force on any object that he hits.
A seatbelt for your dog may even be required by law
Three states, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, actually make it an offense to travel with a dog unrestrained in a car. Other states merely forbid driving with a pet at the back of a pickup truck or with one in your lap. It’s important to remember, however, that even if you live in a state where there is no law against it, it may still earn you a ticket if you get pulled over while you have a dog loose in the car.
How are dog seat belts designed to work?
Dog seat belts are designed as vest harnesses. You help your dog wear the vest, and then connect the harnesses on the vest to the seat belt attachments in your car. Properly designed dog seat belts allow your dog to sit up or lie down, but keep them from moving in other ways. It’s important to read up on reviews before you decide on a model. Many models on the market fail crash tests conducted by the Center for Pet Safety. They may allow too much movement, or be too loose for the dog sizes that they are intended for. It’s best to consider a model that’s approved by the CPS.
Considering dog car seats
Dog car seats are really pet crates or carriers. You pick one that fits your pet snugly and allows no more than six inches of wiggle room. It’s important to remember, however, that while these products help keep your pet from distracting you, they aren’t particularly safe in a crash. They can break apart.
You need to get your dog used to the idea of being restrained
If your dog has always been free-range in the car, he isn’t likely to take well to being restrained all of a sudden. You need to be willing to gradually train your dog. Start with a 5-minute car ride, and make the rides longer over time. You may need to be generous with praise and treats.
Remember to put your dog where he can be safe
Restraint or no restraint, the front seat is never a good idea for a dog. Not only is your dog likely to be a distraction on the front seat, but the airbag can also pose a serious safety risk in the event of a crash, as well. Your dog should be safest on the back seat. It’s also important to remember that if your dog is in a crate, it isn’t a good idea to throw in a chew toy. In the limited space that your dog has in the crate, it could turn into a choking hazard.
Dogs are naturally excitable creatures and can be a distraction to any driver. Restraints keep both dogs and the driver safe.
