Safety Tips for Traveling with Your Dog in the Car

Dogs are a part of the family and can function as best friends. Whether you want to spend a day at the dog park or it's time for a trip to the vet, you must safely transport your dog in the car.

With a bit of preparation and consideration for your dog's behavior, you can experience a safe, stress-free drive with your canine companion.

Anticipate Behaviors

If you've driven around with your dog before, you can probably anticipate some of his behaviors. My Boxer Odin is well-behaved in the car, but his affectionate attitude can get in the way. Odin loves to climb on the laps of drivers and passengers, which can be pretty dangerous.

Because of this, my husband and I always travel together when possible. The passenger is in charge of keeping Odin in the back seat and out of view of the rear view mirror.

Dog owners can also keep their pets in one spot in the car with a dog harness made for use in the car. Such harnesses can also protect your dog from injuries in the event of an auto accident.

Dogs are like people in that each one feels differently about car rides. Some dogs get car sick while others are content to sleep. Most dogs just want to look out the window to see what's going on.

Dogs and Windows

Many dogs love to hang their heads out of the windows. While this behavior is sometimes harmless, I've seen dogs become scratched by foliage while the car is in motion. It's generally unsafe to let your dog hang his head out of a car window.

Odin is a bit too energetic and he likes to put his paws on the top of the window. Because of this, we always keep the windows secured when we have Odin in the car.

One time on the way to the vet, my husband pulled up alongside another car at a stop light. This car had an open window and the dog was doing everything she could to get out of the window once she saw Odin. While both dogs just wanted to greet each other, it could have been fatal for the dog if she had fallen out of her owner's car.

To stay safe, it's best to leave the window cracked for ventilation or rely on heating and air conditioning to control the temperature in the vehicle. Alternately, you can roll the window down partially and restrain your dog with the aforementioned canine car harness.

Do Not Leave Pets Unattended

It's extremely easy for a dog to overheat in the car. Never leave your dog unattended in the car--especially when it's hot out.

In many places, it's illegal to leave your dog in a hot car. If harm comes to your pet, you can be prosecuted.

Crate Your Dog

If you've crate trained your dog properly, he'll feel like his crate is his safe little house. Odin's crate is too big to fit in my car, but if it did fit, I would crate him on most trips. Odin acts happy and secure when he's in his crate, and he's used to sleeping in his crate in our bedroom near his family.

Crating your dog prevents her from chewing, jumping and going potty in the car.

Plan Ahead for Long Trips

For short trips, pack some bottled water and a toy. Your pet will only need the basics.

Long trips require more preparation. You'll need to pack food, water, toys, leashes, bedding, medication, veterinary papers and anything else you may need for your dog.

While it isn't productive training and socialization behavior to think of your dog as a child, this train of thought can help you when it comes to traveling with your pet. If you aren't sure about something, ask yourself if you'd put a child in that situation. Would you let a child hang out a car window, travel without a seatbelt or remain unsupervised in a locked car?

More from Tara M. Clapper:

Before You Adopt: Five Things to Know About Owning a Pit Bull

Avoiding Obesity in Chihuahuas

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Dogs