by Lindsay Horvath

Created on: July 13, 2009   Last Updated: July 15, 2009

We've all seen it. The Golden Retriever standing on the front seat of the car, his head out the window, feeling the breeze and relishing life. Or the little Poodle who rides on his owner's lap, paws on the window to watch the world go by at a dizzying speed. The hunting dogs, muddy and tired from a day in the field, balancing themselves in the back of a pick-up truck, happy dog-grins on their faces.

As much as dogs enjoy the feeling of speed and freedom that can accompany a car ride, none of the above scenarios are safe ones for dogs, drivers, or passengers. Even a dog lying quietly on the floor of the backseat is not technically being protected from injury in the event of an accident and could also become projectile in the event of a high impact crash.

So how do you secure a dog safely in the car?

There are several different ways to ensure safe traveling for both the dog and the passengers. One of the safest way to transport any dog (but especially a larger breed) is to use a doggie seatbelt. These devices resemble harnesses and connect to your car's seatbelt. Each brand is a little different, but some allow for more movement than others. The main intent is to prevent injury to a dog in a similar manner as a seatbelt, in addition to keeping a large animal from flying forward and hitting the driver in the head. As with children, the safest place for a dog is the backseat.

Another method of securing dogs in cars is to use a crate. For small dogs, this is easier because smaller pet carriers will fit into just about any car. For larger dogs who need a big kennel, an SUV, van, or truck is usually necessary. The crate can be secured to the back of the car or on the floor of a van. Crates can also be put into the back of a pick-up truck, but they must be secured VERY tightly and ideally covered. Crates are great for transporting dogs without the hassle of mud, hair, and nail-marks on the interior. As always, a crate should be free of any type of bedding or toy that your dog might chew, and a dog should never be secured to the inside of a crate with a leash or collar.

Although having a dog loose in the car is not desirable, if you feel this is your only option, do yourself a favor and purchase a metal grate to separate the passengers and the dog. (Obviously, this wouldn't work in all vehicle types.) The grate will, if nothing else, keep your dog from becoming a flying weapon in the event of an accident, and may give him a bit more protection than just being given the run of a whole vehicle.

Aside from the obvious protection the above options offer, securing your pet means you're lessening the chance of an accident occurring in the first place. Driving with a furry creature crawling all over you is unsafe bottom line. Allowing your dog to suspend himself out of an open window is also unsafe, a sudden stop or turn could cause him to fall out, a situation that could be fatal. And probably most dog owners who have never used a kennel or seatbelt have had to slam on the brakes and hear the heavy thump as their best friend is thrown off the seat.

But wait...what about that thrill that every dog loves...hanging their head out the window and watching the world fly by? As a dog owner, you need be the responsible unit in the human-canine partnership. Apply the same logic that you would apply to child-rearing. After all, you wouldn't let your child climb all over your lap, hop from the front to the back with abandon, hang half their body out of the window, or ride down a highway in the back of a truck...would you?

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