Traveling with your dog this summer

Keeping your dog safe and secure in your car is important whether you’re just going for a quick trip around town or on a cross country summer adventure. An unrestrained dog can become a potential hazard and a serious distraction.


dog travel

In 2011 AAA and Kurgo conducted an online survey of 1000 dog owners and found that 84 percent of survey takers allowed their dogs to roam freely in the car and 65 percent admitted to being distracted by their dog while driving. So, here are a few tips to keep you and your pup safe this summer:

Don’t put a pet crate on the front seat; airbag deployment could be fatal to your dog in an accident

Don’t leave your dog in your parked car, car temperatures can rise quickly in the heat and heat stroke can happen in minutes

If you’re transporting your pooch in a small pet carrier the best place for it is on the floor between the front and rear seats, if it was designed for use with a seatbelt then go ahead and put it on the backseat restrained with the seatbelt.

Make sure the tag attached to your dog’s collar has your correct information including a cell phone number.

Take a minute to learn of a vet in the area of your destination, also keep a pet first aid kit and health records should there be an emergency.

Before you set out on the road take a few minutes and do a little research on the best way to restrain your dog in your vehicle, there are many choices for harnesses some of which have been crash tested.

Have fun and stay safe on the roads this summer.

Photo thanks to Chris Smart