Cars my be seen as a normal way of travel to us but to a dog who has not been introduced properly to this smelly, noisy lump of metal, (metallic paint or not), it represents the worst nightmare and excellent reason for Fido to throw up just as you signal right and drive onto the motorway.Introductions start ---at the beginning! Whatever age your dog is, mine, being rescues tend to be passed what would be called puppyhood, need to be introduced to a car slowly and with patience. A dog's first experiences will be the guiding factor for future reactions and should be taken seriously.
Introduce your dog to the car before you plan a journey. Let him/her sit in the car and have some small treat or meal. Familiarise your dog in this way to the area where he/she will be placed when a journey begins. Do this a few times until your dog is happy to be placed on his/her spot in the car and if appropriate be happy to jump in and out without stress. Remember that if you are teaching a puppy about your car, do not let them jump in and out until they have fully achieved their bone growth or you can damage their joints.
Let your dog sit in the car while the engine is running and then introduce him/her to the movement of the car by a few short journeys. Short journeys mean round the block not two hours in the car while you do your shopping.
By now you should have decided on the method of travel in the car for your dog-crate, dog seat belt or behind a basic (or custom made) dog guard. If you allow a dog to be free in a car while you are driving you risk the dog's life and your own. The result of a collision when a dog is unsecured is as devastating as any human who, without a seatbelt on goes through the windscreen. It should also be noted that a dog that is free in a car that is in a collision is a potential missile in that car and a direct danger to anyone else who is also travelling in the car-seatbelts on or not. I have heard many tales of humans with fractured sternums (breast bones) because the dog was catapulted forward into the back of the drivers seat and as a result the driver collided with the steering wheel. Not all cars have the air bag yet.
What is important to consider is that a pleasant journey for you will usually have a couple of stops integrated within it so you can do as nature intended. Keep this need in mind for your dog as well. Puppies' bladders tend to be unreliable and need frequent stops. The older dog needs sensible time spans between stops to prevent a car journey from becoming a nightmare. A stress free environment is important to develop the confidence required for relaxed travel. · Many accidents occur when the car has stopped. Dogs of any age who have not been trained to 'wait' when the car hatchback or crate door opens can fly out of safety and end up under the wheel of a passing car. It happens many more times than you think. Practice the 'wait' it can save a life! There should never be a time when a dog (or dogs) is allowed to hurl itself out of a car like a passing express train. The fault lies with the owner, not the dog.
Gradually increase the distances until you have a dog that takes car travel in their stride. Each dog will be slightly different. Some take to the car and enjoy it quickly while others take time and a few never like it at all. Sometimes the dogs that hate car travel can be helped by a vet's advice. Remember some humans can never travel without discomfort. A dog that suffers in this way needs understanding and patience. Important Tips for Safe Travel
1. DOGS DIE IN CARS FACT !!! Keep them cool - ALWAYS! Dogs that cannot keep cool literally 'COOK' in the car ! Even if they are 'saved', they tend not to survive the experience!
2. Dogs need frequent stops.
3. Dogs need frequent drinks. DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE SOME WATER and bowl. In hot weather take some ice as well in the shape of cubes or always have some frozen water in a plastic container in the freezer waiting to be taken with you and used. Ice kept in this way usually takes some hours to melt and can be used in the event of an emergency or a nice cold drink for your dog as it melts through the day.
4. Dogs will often be sick if they are fed immediately before a journey.
5. Stressful and frantic departures can only lead to disaster if the dog is unsettled and stressed as well.
6. Make sure your dog has his collar on with the proper clear nametag that identifies the owner. Dogs do run off for many reasons. Ensure you have done everything that helps such an event come to a happy conclusion.
7. If your dog becomes restless or vomits in the car, do not reprimand him. Stop, sort the problem out and reassure him. Perhaps more frequent stops for a 'leg stretch' might help.
8. Do not leave dogs unattended in a car. Apart from the risk of being stolen, hot summers and freezing winters can seriously damage a dogs' health.
We all prepare for a car journey, it doesn't really matter how long it is going to be but it does always require some thought. Add your dog to the 'journey checklist', think about his health and welfare as you do your own and the end result will be a happy one for all concerned.