Dogs can be a
danger to themselves and every other passenger
when traveling by car. A dog who is not restrained
can become a potentially lethal missile when
involved in an emergency stop.
A small dog would
be hurled from the parcel shelf at the head of
someone sitting in the front like a cannonball.
And a larger dog would move through the car with
the force of a baby elephant. In both cases, not
only would other passengers be likely to be very
badly hurt, but the dog would probably sustain
severe injuries which it would be unlikely to
recover from.
Some dogs jump
around the car, others sit on the parcel shelf and
others stick their head out of the window. Even
the most calm dogs can easily see something that
will spook them, and of course in an emergency
stop your dog would be powerless to stop itself
traveling forwards. You must get your dog used to
traveling in the car at a young age so that its
sits placidly.
Using a harness in
the car is not unkind, and most dogs will actually
feel more secure being restrained from constant
motion. A dog guard installed across the top of
the back passenger seat is a good way to keep the
dog in one place without restraint, but better
still is a travel kennel rather like a cat cage.
If your dog was crate-trained as a puppy, this is
ideal to use.
It is safer for everyone if you are
involved in an accident that your dog be confined.
Imagine a scenario where your dog was free to roam
while you were possibly injured. A loose dog could
run straight into the traffic and be killed or
indeed cause another accident. Also a large breed
could potentially hinder rescue attempts for other
passengers by being aggressive and protective of
you.
 Golden
Rules of Mounting and Exiting a Car
 Your dog should
always enter the car from the pavement side
Keep your dog on a lead until he is inside the
car and has supervision
Discourage your dog from jumping out of the car
as soon as you are home - he may do this in a busy
area
Make it obvious to other drivers that your dog is
under control when entering/ exiting your car.
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