HOW TO TRANSPORT DOGS IN THE CAR? = SAFETY FIRST

The holiday season is approaching and all die-hard dog lovers take their pets with them, of course. But many of them do not know how to properly transport them in the car. In addition, the law deals with the given issue only in general terms. It does not specify where the dog should be placed or whether it should be leashed.

You will only read there that " when transporting live animals, the safety of the driver, transported persons or animals must not be endangered, nor the safety of road traffic." So how to do this to ensure the safety of all two-legged and four-legged passengers?

NOT LIKE THIS

First, let's talk about which method is definitely not safe. We often see cute dogs on the roads, sitting on the lap of the passenger, sometimes even the driver. A pet should not be left unattended in the back seat , not even in the trunk. The first principle is to safely prevent the free movement of the dog in the car. Not only can it distract the driver while driving, but in the event of an impact, it becomes an uncontrollable flying "cargo". Crash tests have shown that if an impact occurs at a speed of 40 km/h, the weight of the dog increases by up to 40 times . In the case of an unsecured dog in the car, you also face a fine of up to two thousand crowns.

THAT'S YES

So there are two options where to place the furries in the car. First of all, it depends on the size of the dog and the car.

It is considered the safest option transport box in the trunk . It is available in several sizes - for bulldogs and german shepherds . The crate provides the dog with enough space and comfort throughout the trip. It is good not to skimp on boxing and bet on quality. Poor quality crates can do more harm than good.

Our tip: For longer routes there is a trick in the form of travel bowl from which water does not spill during the ride. The dog is like that all the time ensured drinking regimen .

Furthermore, you can transport the furry ones in a trunk on a car cover , which will protect the space from dirt and hair. For this variant, however, it is recommended to purchase a grille between the rear seats and the trunk space. The dog cannot jump out of the trunk or fly forward in the event of an impact.

If you have a smaller dog and decide to transport it on the back seats, you will need it safety harness . With it, the dog can lie down in his favorite place and many times he doesn't even know that he is tied up. 

That's why suitable for small "nervous people" that you would struggle to fit into a lockable box in your suitcase. When choosing a harness, again pay attention to its quality, in short, it is not worth saving here. Improperly restraining a dog can even lead to strangulation. Harnesses with padding that absorb pressure in the event of an impact are practical. It should also include a safety belt, which can be easily attached to the belt of the car using a climbing carabiner. Definitely do not herd the dog with a collar , always use only a harness!

Then you're just a step away from perfection rear seat protective blanket . The dog will be comfortable on it and at the same time it will not dirty the seats. It is designed in such a way that it covers the entire space, thanks to which almost not a single hair will leak!

And finally, we remind you that it is important to adapt the ride to the dog . If you don't want the car to so-called "fly like a noodle in a bandage", try to limit sharp braking and fast zigzagging in corners. The basis is as comfortable as possible a smooth ride with breaks to stretch the legs.

Have a good trip!

Also check out the Smečka podcast, which covers the topic in more depth: