Dogs, just like children, are precious cargo when riding in your vehicle. So why would you let your best buddy ride unrestrained?

Unrestrained dogs in vehicles can be a danger to both themselves and to their fellow passengers. If you make a sudden emergency stop, or are involved in a crash at just 30 mph, a dog who is not restrained in the back seat can turn into a potentially lethal missile. Even a small dog such as a Bichon Frise or Jack Russell Terrier would be hurled from the back seat at the head of someone sitting the in the front seat of the vehicle like a canine cannonball. And if your dog is a large breed, such as a Labrador, he could be catapulted through the vehicle with the force of a baby elephant, in all likelihood, injuring not only himself, but all in this way. And in both cases it is unlikely that the dog would survive such a violent impact.

It is ironic that people belt themselves up, and insist that children in the front AND back wear seatbelts or sit in a child seat, yet they let their dogs travel unrestrained. Some drivers even let small dogs sit unrestrained in the front passenger seat, or on the passenger’s lap, which is very dangerous. Most vehicles today are equipped with passenger side airbags. A dog sitting on the passenger’s lap has no chance if the air bag deploys. In addition, some dogs are even allowed to ride in the bed of a pick-up truck. Not only can they jump out or be hit with debris from the road, they also will be thrown out of the bed in the case of an emergency stop or wreck.

So, how do you restrain your canine companion in the car? There are many restraining harnesses on the market today that are made specifically for this purpose. Making a dog wear a special harness is not unkind – most pets will actually feel more comfortable and secure when they are restrained. Another option is a dog guard. It is installed across the back of the car and separates the dog from the driver, but is only really suitable for hatchback or SUV models.

If you are involved in an accident, it is safer for all concerned if your dog is restrained. A dog that is loose could run straight into traffic and be killed, or even cause another accident. Also, and particularly if it is a large breed, a dog will be frightened and possibly aggressive, and could make it difficult for rescue services to rescue you or him.

Some dogs are prone to car sickness and so it is always advisable to watch for signs of distress during the journey. There are a number of products on the market that can help reduce this problem and ease stress for both you and your dog. However, you should check with your vet before using them.

NEVER leave your dog alone in the car. During the summer months, cars can heat up very quickly and the dog inside will begin to suffer heat stroke…this can happen in minutes. The same applies for chilly winter days as well. Just because dogs have a lot of fur, this doesn’t mean they are not susceptible to the cold. Not only is leaving your dog in the car a bad idea from a weather standpoint, but car theft is always looming in the background. A car with partially opened windows is pretty appealing to a car thief. Don’t let your best friend ride away in the “care” of a felon. Some people feel that leaving the dog in the car and leaving the car running but locked will protect the dog from overheating or from getting cold in winter. However, this can also cause death due to carbon dioxide poisoning. Just recently, one of our volunteers left her foster in her car with the air conditioning running. She returned to her car about an hour later to find the dog nearly un-rousable! The best rule is NEVER leave your dog alone in the car. Ever. Under any circumstances. If your dog can't come with you to your destination, leave him or her safely at home.

By following a few simple steps and remembering that your canine companion needs just as much safety in the car as you do, you can be sure to have a great ride home.