Safe Driving Tips for Whenever Your Dog Is in the Car

If your dog is your best friend, you’ll want to make sure he or she is healthy, happy and safe. But what should you do when your pet takes a car ride with you?

Just like every person in the vehicle needs to wear a seat belt, your dog also needs to be restrained, and for the same good reasons. Here are some tips on how both you and your dog can get to your destination and back securely.

Safety for all species

Seat belts are meant to keep people in their seats at all times. In the event of an accident, the belts (and the airbags if activated) prevent you and your passengers from hitting the interior surfaces of the vehicle, or from being ejected. If your dog is unrestrained, he or she can become a high-speed projectile upon impact.

Plus, a dog roaming around inside your car can be distracting to the driver, if it blocks your vision or gets by your feet. Dogs can even accidentally activate the power windows, letting them falling out when the windows go down, or choking them when they go up. Be sure to switch off your power windows, using the switch on the driver’s door, when your dog is aboard.

Dogs who like to stick their heads out of open car windows can get flying debris in their eyes, ears, or noses, might be hit by branches or other vehicles, or could jump out of the vehicle and be seriously injured.

And putting your dog in the back of an open pickup truck without proper restraints is a really bad idea — dogs can easily fall out and get hit by another nearby vehicle.

Let’s take a look at several good strategies for safely transporting your dog in your car.

Crates are great

Many dog owners train use a crate. While it can be comforting at home, it can also be an ideal device for transporting your dog inside your car. The dog is restrained within the crate, is comfortable being in it, is safe, and won’t fly around within the cabin in the event of an accident.

When using a crate, be sure that it is securely fastened within the vehicle. The crate should also be the right size for your dog; if your dog is very large and your car is not, you may need a different solution. Your crate should have a safety certification and be made of durable materials. If you’ve got a pickup and the crate is in the open bed, don’t carry your dog back there if the weather is too hot, too cold, rainy or snowy.

To make things even easier and safer, add some crash pads in the crate and get a ramp to help your pooch up.

» MORE: Check out our pick for top dog crates on Amazon

Harnesses and leashes

A harness for your dog is a great improvement over a collar-based restraint, which directs all the forces through the dog’s neck and can cause serious injuries. Harnesses can be combined with specialized canine seat belts that attach to the belts or headrests in your car.

A short leash can also be used to connect a small dog’s harness to the seat belt. A dog that is harnessed and belted in can usually sit upright and enjoy the ride, without distracting the driver.

If you harness your dog in the front passenger seat, be sure to deactivate the airbag. Just as with small children, your dog is safer in the back seat. If your dog is very large, a crate is a better option. And if your pooch likes to chew harness and seat belt straps, this method could be a problem.

» MORE: Check out our pick for top dog harnesses/short leashes on Amazon

Backseat barriers

These barriers are also known as hammocks. They’re large fabric panels that attach to your front seat and rear seat headrests, covering your rear seat and keeping your dog from falling onto the floor area. This is also a good way to keep your dog out of the front seat.

While a barrier provides a comfortable place for your dog to ride, it is not a physical restraint, and won’t keep your dog from being thrown around during an impact. You can combine a barrier with a restraint device that will hold your dog in place. A barrier may be a good transportation solution for larger dogs whose crates won’t fit in your vehicle.

» MORE: Check out our pick for top dog backseat barriers on Amazon

Ziplines and seat covers

A zipline connects to two attachment points within your car, usually the rear seat grab handles above the side windows. A strap then connects your dog’s harness to the zipline, allowing side-to-side motion across the entire back seat. The zipline gives your dog some freedom of movement, while also functioning as a restraint if needed.

Seat covers are a good idea for a number of reasons. They protect your seats from your dog’s nail scratches, shedding hair, slobber and, um, accidents. You can also select a material that gives your dog a better grip for a less slippery, more relaxed ride. Many are machine washable, for easy care and odor control.

» MORE: Check out our pick for top dog seat covers on Amazon

Be aware of your state’s pet restraint laws

Some states have specific laws prohibiting driving with an unrestrained dog in your vehicle. Each state’s law is different, and many other states are considering similar types of legislation. Here is the current list of states with pet restraint laws:

• Maine
• Vermont
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• Minnesota