| Car rides for a lot of dogs are an enjoyable | | | | short and suddenly. Tying the dog in the bed is |
| experience. Lots of dogs get extremely excited | | | | not a good idea either as the dog may still jump |
| when they realize they are going for a ride. | | | | or fall out and wind up being choked or dragged |
| Perhaps your dog is like this; and perhaps you | | | | along the road! The best and safest solution is to |
| enjoy taking your dog with you on errands, or | | | | have your dog ride in the cab of the truck with |
| just out for a breath of fresh air. Dog owners | | | | you. |
| take their dogs to the park, on vacation, and | | | | Most dogs that enjoy riding in cars also enjoy |
| even tagging along to appointments. Vets tell us, | | | | sticking their heads out the window to feel the |
| however, that there are some safety precautions | | | | breeze rush past their faces. This may be a fun |
| that dog owners should take when traveling with | | | | activity but it can also be dangerous. The driver |
| dogs to ensure everyone's safety. | | | | of your vehicle may side-swipe another car or |
| According to vets, it is a good idea to restrain | | | | object on the side of the road, or the dog may |
| your dog while riding in the car. If you have any | | | | get dirt, gravel, etc. in his eyes. To eliminate some |
| type of car with a trunk open to the inside of the | | | | of these hazards, just open the window a little bit |
| car or with some other vehicles, you can have | | | | so your dog can still feel the breeze flowing past |
| your dog ride in the back separated from you by | | | | his head; he should not be able to stick his head all |
| a gate or a net. If you have a regular car, there | | | | the way out of the window. |
| are special dog seat-belts and other types of | | | | Vet professionals tell dog owners to never leave |
| restraints available. This will insure that your dog | | | | dogs in the car with windows completely rolled up |
| will not fly forward into the windshield if you stop | | | | as this can be a very serious mistake. Even if you |
| suddenly and short. Lots of dogs try to climb into | | | | leave the car for a few minutes, this can cause |
| the front seatthis can be distracting to the dog | | | | harm or even death to a dog. In the summer the |
| owner, who should be concentrating on driving the | | | | interior of cars can reach almost 150F within a |
| car. This can be dangerous and may cause | | | | short amount of time. Some dog owners think |
| accidents. It is always a good idea to restrain | | | | that nothing can happen to their pets with the |
| your pet while driving so that you can | | | | windows cracked; however, car temperatures |
| concentrate on the road. | | | | can sometimes be very high in a parked car. If |
| Dog owners who drive a pickup truck should not | | | | you have to leave your dog in the car, open |
| let dogs ride free in the pickup bed. This can | | | | several windows and try to park in a shady area |
| create a dangerous situation for the dog and | | | | to keep you pet safe for overexposure to hot |
| other drivers if your dog falls out or decides to | | | | car temperatures. For further safety |
| jump out. Some dog owners believe that their | | | | recommendations for dog owners who have dogs |
| dog would never jump out of the truck! Vets tell | | | | that love to ride in cars, consult with your |
| us that dogs are creatures of instinct, and may | | | | personal vet. |
| not be able to contain their excitement if they | | | | Author lives in Illinois; loves animalsespecially cats, |
| see a rabbit, squirrel, or another dog, etc., on the | | | | dogs; and is a home entrepreneur. See |
| side of the road. Dogs that ride without restraints | | | | information on authors business at: |
| in the pickup bed may also go flying if you stop | | | | Training a dog? |