Often we have to travel alone and take our dog or pup with us in the car. Dogs can be very busy in the car and could be very dangerous for you, your dog and other cars on the road. They tend to sometimes jump around in the car, or getting under our feet by the petals, or even block our views. Here are a few tips to make it safer for you, your pup and other road users:
- Harnesses to clip your dog into the safety belt to keep your dog safe. Always clip it on the harness and not the neck collar, as the dog will injure him/herself very badly if you do come into an accident.
- If you travel in a bakkie, always make sure you have a canopy, with windows fitted with bars so that your dog does not escape or jump off.
- For longer trips, and if possible, fit your vehicle with a crate, and ensure that the crate is strapped to avoid sliding around.
- Dogs should ideally not have their heads hanging out the windows, as certain debris like stones, etc. could injure them.
- If you need to stop somewhere, do not leave the dog in a hot car. Your dog can suffer from heatstroke. Let someone let him out on a sniff while you are in the shop, or loo.
Remember, safety of yourself and your pup is very important.