Hey Woofa’s,

I’ve had a few new customers lately who are first time dog owners – yay!

I love it when people take the plunge and become responsible dog owners!

Because people drive to my Grooming Salon, one of the common questions I receive is – What do I do with my dog while in the car?

This then causes me to go into all the dos and don’ts of having your dog in the car.

Which has now prompted this post on – How To Travel Safely With Your Dog In the Car!

 

HOW WE TRAVEL WITH BILLY IN THE CAR?

Billy loves going in the car.  You can see his big staffy smile in the picture above.

He loves sticking his head out the window as we drive along, the wind in his face and his chops flapping along.

However, BEFORE we let his head hang out the window, we make sure he’s secure and can’t jump out the window.

So first of all we have a car hammock that sits along the back seat and secures to the back of the front seats.

This stops him from falling on the floor and being able to make his way to the front seats.

Secondly, he has an ezydog drive harness (worth every cent).  This is like a vest that clips around his chest and you can then put the car seat belt through it.  OR you can buy a doggy seat belt and use that.

This puts my mind at peace because he’s not being secured by his neck, he can’t come through to the front seats and he can’t jump out the windows.

We give him enough movement so he can go back and forth between the back windows but that’s it!

 

DID YOU KNOW?   YOU CAN GET FINED FOR NOT HAVING YOUR DOG SECURED IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING!

 

When we get in the car we automatically put a seatbelt on ourselves, or if we have kids we make sure they are secured in car seats and seat belts.

It makes sense to me that our dogs should also be secured while driving.

On the NSW Roads and Maritime Services website, it states:

 

1. a driver, motor cycle rider, bicycle rider or passenger may not lead an animal (including by tethering/leading) while the vehicle is moving;

2.  animals should be seated or housed in appropriate areas; NOTE:   a driver must not drive with an animal in the driver’s lap;

3.  animals should be seated or housed in an appropriate area of the vehicle;

4.  a motorcycle rider must not ride with an animal between the handle bars and the rider.

5.  Dogs on the back of utes (utility cars) should be restrained either via a tether or cage so that the dog cannot fall off or be injured while the vehicle is moving.

 

The RMS also advises that police are able to fine a driver and issue demerit points if an animal is causing the driver to not be in full control of the vehicle.

The penalties are 3 demerit points and around $500 or more.

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act the RSPCA are also able to issue fines if an animal is injured because it was unrestrained – fines up to $5,500 and 6 months in jail.

 

Under the NSW Legislation – Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No.200 – Carriage and Conveyance of Animals

(2A)(i) a person must not carry or convey a dog (other than a dog being used to work livestock), on the open back of a moving vehicle on a public street unless the dog is restrained or enclosed in such a way to prevent falling from the vehicle.

50 penalty units ($5,500) or 6 months imprisonment or both.

 

Check out this quick video on Harness testing and then tell me you can’t be bothered securing your dog in the car!

 

 

I also deter people from putting their dogs on the front passenger seat purely because of the air bag going off in their face.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO RESTRAIN YOUR DOG WHILE TRAVELLING IN THE CAR!

Below are  some of the best ways to ensure your dog’s safety while travelling in the car.

1. DOGGIE SEAT BELT

This hooks onto your dog’s collar or harness and then clips into the car’s seat belt latch.  I would definitely make sure your dog’s collar or harness is fitted appropriately to your dog and that the clip fits into your car latch.

 

 

2. DOGGIE HARNESS

As I said we use a harness for Billy and then clip it into the seat belt.

I find clipping the seat belt just onto the collar pulls on the neck.  With the harness your dog is more secure from the chest and shoulder area.

It’s important to make sure the harness fits your dog appropriately.

You can also get a harness with a seat belt loop on them so all you have to do is loop the car’s seat belt through the loop on the top of the harness.

This is good because it works the same as the seat belt works for us, holds tight if suddenly jolted forward.

Some harnesses can be tricky, so I would practice first to make sure it’s on correctly and fitted securely before using it in the car.

Some research here on what’s suitable for you and your fur baby would be advisable.

 

 

3. DOGGIE HAMMOCK SEAT COVER

The Doggie Hammock uses velcro strips that hook around the back seat and scoops down over the back seat and back up the back of the front seat (in the shape of a hammock) and hooks onto the back of the front seat (clear as mud).  It also stops your fur baby from having access to the front seat and prevents them from being thrown forward through the front seats.

It also stops hair from getting all over the back seat of the car which is a bonus.

 

4. TRAVELLING CRATES/CONTAINERS

These are like cages or plastic crates that your dog goes into, I would get your dog use to being in one before using it in the car.  Some dogs prefer the confined space of the travelling crate, others not so much.

Again you’ll have to make sure your dog can go in comfortably as they need enough room to sit, stand, turn around and easily lay down in a comfortable position.

Also where you place the crate make sure there is enough ventilation and air flow and that the crate itself is secure so it won’t fall over with your dog in it.

One of my customers uses a small plastic crate for his little dog as she is scared of travel and usually vomits (however she is getting better the more she’s taken in the car).  He places it on the back seat with the car seat belt over it to secure it in.

 

 

5. PET BOOSTER SEATS

I find these are mostly for the smaller framed dog.

The seat hooks around the  back of the front passenger seat (mostly, they can go around the back seat as well) and are like a basket/container/bed for your dog to sit in and be attached to.

They still need a harness and seat belt so they don’t go flying out of the booster seat.

This helps your dog to still be able to see out the window.

 

 

6. CARGO BARRIERS

These usually hook to the back of the back seat and make a barrier for the dog to go into the open far back of the car.

This is so they can’t jump over the back seat and enter into the seating area of the car.

You can get plastic type ones or much stronger ones as well.

However, they will still need to be secured into the back area of the car.

This will also depend on the type of car you have.

 

 

HERE ARE TWO EXAMPLES OF WHAT NOT TO USE!

 

 

 

While the dogs in the above pics may look secure, they are NOT!

Do these dogs look comfortable and safe to you?

You can’t SEW a seat belt and expect it to work!

If you need reminding watch the harness testing video again.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

So you can travel safely with your dog in the car, they need to be secured in, just as you are in a seat belt.

And – YES – by law you have to have your dog restrained while travelling with them in the car.

Above are six ways you can secure them in.

Most importantly you have to choose the one that is most appropriate for you, your dog and your car.

Here’s to keeping our dogs safe while travelling in the car.

 

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – HOW YOU SECURE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR?