September is a fantastic time to take road trips with friends families – and even pets. If you have a dog in your home, you might understand how it’s a part of the family. It comes wherever you do, and cares for you on an emotional level that resonates with both being mammal and being human. Before you all pile into the car, it’s important to understand the procedures necessary to safely travel with your dog.
Crates
This is one option. Make sure that you choose the right size crate for your dog, and purchase a crash tested and safety certified crate – like the 4Pets ProLine box. The best kinds of crates are plastic and aluminum, reinforced with fiberglass. Make sure that the crate you buy has good air circulation. It’s important that the safes are well insulated to protect your dog’s comfort in any season. Brands to trust will offer a warranty for at least 2 years. We recommend buying crates with internal crash bags, and perhaps a ramp or tiny stairs to help your dog climb in and out of the car easily.
Take Breaks
Dogs need to stretch their muscles too. Every couple of hours, take a stop to allow your dogs (and yourself) to stretch and go to the bathroom. Bring a few large bottles of water for yourself and your dogs, as well as a bowl so they can easily enjoy some refreshing hydration at any road stop.
Laws and Safety
It’s against highway regulations to allow your dogs to sit in your lap while you drive, ride in an open air area of a vehicle (like in a pickup truck shelf,) or to be left alone in your car (especially during Summer or Winter weather.) Make sure that if your car has power windows, that they are locked – as dogs can quite easily open them with their paws. Dogs can jump out of moving vehicles, and might get so excited that they don’t spot an incoming obstruction – only let your dog enjoy the open breeze from a little crack in a locked window – it’s the safest method that you can utilize.