Where is the best place for dogs to ride in the car?
How to transport your dog safely in the car
Whether it's a weekend trip to the lake, a family holiday on the beach or a hiking trip to the mountains - for dog owners, every trip is all the more beautiful when the four-legged friend is with you. After all, the furry noses love to sniff out new places. In this way, they bring a large portion of adventurousness to every undertaking.
However, if you want to take your dog with you in addition to your child and cone, there are a few things to consider, especially when transporting it in the car. Because just as drivers and passengers can get from A to B wearing their seat belts, dogs must also be adequately secured. In addition, Bello, Waldi & Seppi need special attention during the car journey in order to really feel comfortable.
It is all the worse that many dog owners do not take sufficient care of the safety and well-being of their animal companion when travelling. For example, about one in five dog owners does not adequately secure their furry nose during the car journey!
It's high time to show how to do it right. We introduce you to various transport options for your furry friend and show you how your furry companion feels right at home when travelling. And yes, the pun was intentional.
Understanding four-legged friends safely in the car? This is how it works!
Many dogs are enthusiastic passengers. No wonder that some dog owners don't even think about securing their own dog – after all, it usually travels calmly and contentedly anyway.
But even if your dog is used to car journeys or may even enjoy them, the right safety should not be missing on any trip - or even on the way to the supermarket. Because unsecured dogs not only pose a considerable risk of injury to themselves, but also to all two-legged friends in the car. In addition, (legal) warnings, fines and other sanctions can await dog owners who do not insure the furry pillion passenger in accordance with the regulations.
The following points show exactly what consequences you have to expect here:
- Similar to humans, the risk of injury to a dog increases significantly if it is not adequately secured during transport. If, for example, the dog crashes into the side walls of the car during an emergency brake or is thrown through the windshield in the event of an accident, this can mean not only injuries, but in the worst case also the death of the beloved animal.
- In addition, the pelt-noses can also endanger the health of the passengers. If the animal is thrown through the car in an accident and hits the people travelling with it, four-legged and two-legged friends can suffer the most serious injuries. In addition, a shocked or injured animal can prevent first responders or rescue workers from caring for injured people after an accident.
- The public order office and the police are also extremely reluctant to see unsecured dogs. In road traffic, dogs are only considered a load that must be secured against any slipping, falling over or other dangerous movements. If this is not the case during an inspection, you will face a fine of up to 75 euros (and in the worst case a point in Flensburg).
- By the way, an incorrectly or inadequately secured dog can also have an impact on the effectiveness of your car insurance. In the event of an accident, it is often not only the actual course of the accident that is closely examined. If a dog or other cargo was on board, it is usually also determined whether it was adequately secured. If it then turns out that your four-legged friend was able to move freely in the vehicle while driving, this can then have an impact on the scope of the insurance cover - and in the worst case even regardless of whether the unsecured four-legged friend played a role in the damage incurred or not.
#1 Transport boxes for dogs in the car
In special dog boxes made of plastic or metal, your furry friend is not only safe during the journey, but can also make himself comfortable between soft blankets and his favourite toy. Depending on the size, you can place the dog transport boxes either on the back seat, in the footwell or in the trunk. However, the transport box in the trunk (or the back seat) usually requires additional securing with special belts so that it remains in place even in the event of an accident.
By the way: Particular care should be taken with regard to the size of the transport box. In order to offer as much safety and comfort as possible, it should therefore be optimally adapted to your four-legged friend. While your furry friend would be thrown around in a box that is too large in the event of an accident, animals rarely feel really comfortable in boxes that are too small, especially on long journeys.
Therefore, the following applies: The four-legged friend should lie down comfortably in his own four walls during the journey, but not be able to walk around. If these two points are given, the pelt-nose is ready for a safe descent in the dog box.
#2 Transporting dogs in the car with a harness system
Transport boxes for small four-legged friends often cannot be adequately secured in the trunk and footwell due to their size. That's why seat belts are usually the better choice for small animals. You strap the dog's harness to the seat belts of your car so that the furry nose stays in place in the event of a collision. So the following also applies to driving a dog with a dog: "First belt, then sprint" - preferably with a seat belt.
When buying, pay attention to a good, stable fit as well as a high-quality workmanship of the hooks and the buckle system, which should definitely consist of a harness and under no circumstances only a strap with a collar. Ideally, you should combine the belt system with a stable car seat for your four-legged friend. This means that it sits higher and can follow what is happening outside the vehicle. This is not only interesting for the furry noses, but also has a relaxing effect on them.
Transport options and safety when driving a car for the dog
Dividers for the trunk or soft dog bags are a nice extra, but they provide little safety while driving. The reason: While the animals can move freely with dividers and are therefore not attached in the event of an accident, dog bags offer hardly any impact protection and can even crush or otherwise injure the animals in an accident.
For a safe car journey, it is therefore best to always use a transport box made of solid materials or a belt system for the front passenger seat (or rear seat).
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This is how dogs feel comfortable in the car while driving
Loud vehicle noises and new environments ensure that car journeys can be a test of nerves for your furry friend. Therefore, in addition to safety, the well-being of the four-legged friend should also be at the top of the priority list.
With the following tips, you can quickly get your darling used to traveling on four wheels:
- Some pets are old hands when it comes to driving. But young dogs in particular often need a little time to get used to the rolling and wobbling environment. Before you dare to take your first longer trip with your animal friend, you should get them used to the car step by step. Therefore, first cover short distances with your dog and gradually increase the travel time.
- Shift the feeding time to your vehicle or directly to the transport box from time to time. This can help the animals to trust the unfamiliar vehicle better.
- Especially before longer car journeys, a long walk is an absolute must. This allows your four-legged friend to work out before he has to lie around in the car for some time.
There are also a few things for dog owners to consider while driving. That's why the following to-dos are a must when traveling with four-legged friends:
- If you have a dog on board, you should plan enough time for the journey from A to B. The transported animals need sufficient breaks to do their business and stretch their legs. Every two hours, you should therefore leave the road and stop at a place in the countryside. This is especially important when going on holiday with the dog.
- However, don't forget to keep your animal occupant on a leash. After all, the unfamiliar environment can quickly make your dog frightened. This may be particularly dangerous if busy roads are nearby. Therefore, when walking during breaks, it is better to put a leash on it than to take off a leash!
- The four-legged friend must also be provided for when travelling. Therefore, offer your dog something to drink at every break. On longer journeys, one or two treats should not be missing.
- If you want to stretch your legs yourself during a rest or buy a snack, you should always keep the animal friend in mind. He should never be left alone in the car. This is especially true on sunny and warm days. Here, the inside of the car can heat up to dangerous temperatures after a short time and thus become life-threatening heat for the four-legged friend.
But now we say: Off with the dog in the car, because now it can probably go on a really safe journey. 😊
Risk of injury, fines and liability gaps - there are plenty of reasons to insure your four-legged friend while driving. We will now show you what options are open to you for safe dog transport and how and how you can comply with all legal regulations.
source : On tour with your dog in the car
