Time and time again I see dogs loose in vehicles while I'm out and about. Often they're in the front or back seat, occasionally they have their head sticking out of a window, and sometimes they're loose in the bed of a truck (yikes).
So many individuals aren't aware of proper vehicle safety practices for dogs and as a result they're inadvertently putting their furry friends at risk of injury or death if there is a car accident. In this blog post we will be covering why you should properly secure your dog in a vehicle and how to secure them. So buckle up (pun intended) and lets dive in!
Why Bother Securing Your Dog in a Vehicle?
Lets be honest- it's so easy to just open the door and allow your dog to take the co-pilot seat instead of taking proper safety measures. But take a moment to consider what would happen to your dog if you were in an accident... your dog would become a projectile- a VERY lethal projectile.
In a car traveling 30 miles per hour an unrestrained 10 pound dog exerts 300 pounds of force in an accident.
If the same car is traveling 50 miles per hour the 10 pound dog will exert 500 pounds of force in an accident.
In a car traveling 30 miles per hour an unrestrained 80 pound dog exerts 2400 pounds of force in an accident.
Quite alarming isn't it? Not only will your dog likely not survive the accident, but if you happen to end up in their path after they become a furry four-legged projectile you most likely won't survive either. Which isn't a happy ending for man or mans best friend.
Crates in the Backseat or Cargo Area
The absolute safest way for dogs to travel in a vehicle is inside a crash tested dog crate that is buckled in with a seat belt or strapped down inside the vehicle. Notice that I said a crash tested crate. Standard wire crates and cheap plastic crates won't hold up to the force of your dog in an accident and will collapse and break. Crates should be positioned in either the backseat or cargo area of the vehicle and large enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down but not so large that they could be tossed around in an accident.
So where exactly do you purchase a crash tested dog kennel? Believe it or not there's an entire market for that. Below I'm going to list out some of the most common kennels I see used that have been tested with crash dummies in a lab. The links below are not affiliate links and I do not make a cent from them- I'm just making your life easier by showing you the most popular brands.
Ruffland Kennels
Gunner Kennels
Variocage Kennels
Let me mention one thing before we move on- I know it isn't easy for people with large dogs to use kennels in the car. Sometimes it may not be possible at all. I have two large golden retrievers so I understand the struggle. But after considering how much we are on the road with our dogs between classes, dog trials, and random daily adventures I found a way to make it work with two large Ruffland kennels so that everyone is safe in the car. I actually even chose a 2021 Chevy Traverse as our new vehicle because I knew it could fit two large crates in the cargo area with the middle row of seats still usable (am I crazy or just super dedicated- you decide). I did this research and went the extra mile not only my dogs, but also for my husband, myself and our toddler son. If our 70+ pound dogs were in an accident while unrestrained it would absolutely kill all of us without our Ruffland kennels. So in my eyes it was an extremely worthwhile safety investment. One that I don't regret in the slightest.
Those of you that have smaller dogs will have a much easier time using crates in the car. Just remember to make sure the crate you use is crash tested and buckled down in the backseat or cargo while riding.
Crash Tested Harnesses
Crates are certainly the gold standard for safety in a car but it sometimes isn't possible with large dogs or if you have a small car. Luckily there's a decent backup solution- you can secure your dog with a crash tested harness that is buckled into the seatbelt buckle. At the time I am writing this there are only 2 brands that have been crash test certified by the Center for Pet Safety. They are listed below. Steer clear of cheap alternatives without certifications since those usually fail crash safety tests when tested in a lab.
SleepyPod
ZuGoPet
Hopefully this post will make some of you think twice the next time you decide to hit the road with your furry friend. Invest in crash tested equipment not only for your dogs safety but also for your safety. Happy riding!
Until next time-
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