We’ve all seen dogs hanging their heads out car windows or riding in the backs of pickup trucks. Dogs that travel that way are at risk of serious injury or even death. Dust and other airborne debris ü•aveling atthe speed of a moving vehicle can cause serious damage to eyes and ears. Worse, dogs sometimes jump from a window or tuck bed. If they luck out and land safely, they still may be struck by another vehicle, or run and become lost. Many dogs are killed or badly injured this way every year. We practice auto safety for our children and ourselves. Our dogs deserve as much.
The safest way for a dog to travel is in a secure crate. If you are involved in an accident, your pup is much safer in a crate than loose or even in a safety harness. The crate, especially a plastic airline crate, will protect your dog from injuries on impact and keep the dog secure in the afteimath. More than one dog has survived a car accident and then been killed on the road when he slips out an open car door. If you are injured in an accident, emergency personnel won’t have to worry about getting past your dog to help you if he’s crated.

Grrrrowls

Never let your dog ride in the front seat of a vehicle with air bags. Dogs, like small children, can be killed or injured by deploying air bags. Air bags can travel at speeds up to 70mph! Thinking of how close they are to the air bag this is usually fatal!
A doggy seatbelt—a harness arrangement that fastens to the car’s seatbelt—is a reasonably good alternative to a crate, although it won’t provide as much protection.
Before you decide to take your dog along on a trip, whether it’s a 20-minute errand or a 2-week vacation, be sure that he can go with you when you leave the car. In only a few minutes, the temperature in a closed car can rise high enough to kill your dog or cause permanent damage, even with the windows partially open. Try sitting in a closed car with the window just cracked. If you’re uncomfortable, your dog will be more so because he isn’t as efficient as a human being at cooling himself. Hyperthermia, or overheating, can be fatal. If you won’t be able to take your dog out of the car with you, leave him at home.

Chew on This

When the outside temperature is 78*F, a closed car will reach 90*F in 5 minutes, and 110*F in 25 minutes. Even a few minutes in a hot car can kill your dog or cause irreversible damage.
Not all dogs enjoy car rides. Some are so afraid of the car that they drool, shake, or vomit. Sometimes the car itself frightens the dog—the noise, motion, and vibration take some getting used to. Some dogs are afraid of the car because they only ever ride in it to go to the vet! (How would you like the car if you only used it to go to the dentist?) Let’s see how you can help your dog get past his fear.