Dog Safety in Vehicles

Keep Your Dog Safe While Traveling

With pet friendly motels and hotels becoming more and more popular, it's easier than ever to travel with your pet. Whether you're embarking on a long family vacation or just heading to Grandma's house for a weekend, these tips will make the trip more pleasant for you and for Fido.

Don’t do anything new. If your dog is not used to car travel, acclimate him first. Start with short trips around the block and slowly graduate to hour-long neighborhood and highway cruises. Also, go to fun places like the dog park or to visit friends. You want your dog to think that trips in the car are fun and that not all of them end up at the vet's office!

Use a vehicle safety harness or crate. Decide where your pooch will ride and consider a dog seat-belt harness or a crate. Crate training your dog weeks before your trip will make everything easier because if you are forced to leave your dog unattended in a hotel room, leaving him in a portable crate is the best option (if the establishment allows you to leave your pet alone in the room; some do not). Having a portable crate at your destination is convenient as well. It not only provides a place where your dog can feel safe, but it will provide you with peace of mind knowing where he is at all times when you are not around. Article continued here...

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AAA Names Best Cars for Dog Owners

Did you know that more than 45 million households in the United States have a dog? And of that huge number, more than 80% of those dog owners regularly take their pets along in their vehicles on errands, leisure rides, day trips and extended vacations? Knowing this, it just makes sense that many drivers now take the safety and comfort of their beloved canine companion into consideration when shopping for a car.

Auto makers realize this and many offer features that can help keep your pets safe and comfortable and help keep your car clean. The best pet-friendly vehicles based on factors such as crash-test ratings, safety features, fuel economy, ease of entry and exit for dogs, cargo area size, availability of tie-down hooks, and easy-to-clean interiors are as follows:

Luxury: BMW 3 series wagon, Volvo XC60
Active Lifestyle: Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe
Dogs, Kids & More: Honda Element, Toyota Venza
Efficient & Fun: Mazda3 5-door, Mini Cooper Clubman
Green: Ford Escape hybrid
Economical: Kia Soul, Nissan Cube.
Source: Nov/Dec 2010 Via magazine, serving AAA Oregon members

Dog Safety Articles:

Dog First Aid Kits
Pet Gates Protect
Dog Safety in an Emergency
Puppy Proof Your Home
Introducing a New Puppy
Tips for Bathing Dogs
Choose the Right Dog Fence
Dog Safety in Hot Weather
Dog Safety While Traveling
Dog Obesity
Grapes are Hazardous
Dog Arthritis
Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Caring for a Senior Dog

Don't Be Driven to Doggie Distraction!

Best way to keep your dog safe!

Once you've bought the dog-friendly car, make sure both you and your pet stay safe when you ride together. A recent survey conducted by AAA and a supplier of pet restraints asked dog owners about their driving habits when they take their pets along. Surprisingly, 31% of respondents admit to being distracted by the dog while driving, and nearly 60% have participated in at least one distracting behavior such as petting or playing with your dog or giving the dog food) while driving with their furry family members.

A dog loose inside a vehicle is in as much danger as a small unrestrained child. The situation is risky for the humans in the car, too. Here's why: In a crash at 50 mph, an unrestrained 10-pound dog will exert roughly 500 pounds of pressure, more than any person could safely handle. At only 30 mph, an 80-pound dog could hit with 2,400 pounds of pressure, equivalent to the weight of 600 bricks— or a Toyota Yaris. The message is clear: For safety's sake, please keep Fido in a vehicle pet safety harness or in a dog crate whenever they are in your vehicle! Source: Nov/Dec 2010 Via magazine, serving AAA Oregon members
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