For us two-legged friends, driving has long been a completely natural part of our everyday lives. Get in. Drive off. Arrive. But for our four-legged friends, traveling by car can be a real challenge. Especially if they are not yet used to this type of transportation. So it's up to us dog people to make the journey as pleasant and safe as possible for our darling, even if we are transporting the dog in the trunk - not only do our four-legged friends ultimately benefit from this, but also us dog owners, because: relaxed dog = relaxed human, right?
Transporting your dog in the car / trunk - these things you should know
In German-speaking countries, your dog is not considered a living being when you are driving, but a "load" (Paragraph 23 of the German Road Traffic Act). However, this may offend some dog owners, but it is the law and we should abide by it if we want to avoid a hefty fine. Because that is exactly what every dog owner who does not adequately secure his load or his dog while driving is threatened with. Apart from the threat of a fine, securing your pet while driving makes perfect sense. After all, you could cause an accident if you are distracted by your four-legged friend and also injure your pet if you have to brake hard unexpectedly.
Your dog is considered "cargo" if you transport it in the car
Even if the term "cargo" doesn't do your cute furry friend justice, you should always secure your four-legged friend well while driving in order to protect both of you and all other passengers. By law, you are allowed to transport your dog in the car if it is in the back seat, in the footwell behind the front seats or in the trunk - this should of course be open at the front, as is usual in estate cars and SUVs, secured by a partition grille, for example.
How to transport your dog comfortably & safely in the trunk or on the back seat
As you know, there are various options for transporting your pet. Let's take a closer look at these together:
1) How to transport your dog safely in the trunk of your car
Large dogs in particular are easiest to transport in the trunk. There is simply enough space for the furry four-legged friends. However, it is advisable not to simply put your pet in the "naked" trunk. After all, he won't find enough support here during the journey and may slide back and forth. A comfortable car dog bed can help. Your dog will not only be comfortable, but also safe and secure. It also protects your car from dog hair, moisture and dirt. Ideally, the sturdy car dog bed should have a bumper guard, like our Vagn car dog bed. This way, the entire rear of your car is optimally protected if you want to transport your dog in the trunk.
As an alternative to a dog bed, some dog owners also like to use a dog transport box in the trunk. However, please make sure that it is large enough for your dog to stretch out and move around during the journey. To make the crate as comfortable as possible, you can place a well-padded mat in it for your four-legged friend. From your pet's point of view, an orthopaedic dog mat is particularly suitable here, as it provides optimum support for the joints and spine.
A comfortable dog mat or non-slip dog rugs also ensure that your dog cannot slip in the crate during the journey and therefore offer him more safety and comfort during the car journey. Incidentally, you can cut our Polarpad dog rug to size in no time at all so that it fits exactly into the transport box.
Do you want to transport your dog in the trunk, but don't want to use a car dog bed or a transport box? Then we recommend our orthopaedic outdoor mat. It is a real alternative to a car dog bed and invites your four-legged friend to lie down and relax.
2) How to transport your dog safely in the back seat of the car
If you want to keep an eye on your pet during the journey, transporting it in the back seat is a good option. For maximum comfort and safety, we recommend a car seat for dogs. Thanks to the high edge, soft padding and cozy cover, your dog will feel particularly safe there. Our Rida dog car seat offers your pet enough space to stretch out comfortably during the car journey. The sturdy belt system, which secures the car seat to the rear seat belt, ensures maximum safety. This prevents the car seat from slipping during the car journey. The second belt system, consisting of two seat belts, ensures that your dog stays in the car seat. Even in the event of emergency braking, your dog is not exposed to any danger.
Please note that you must never attach the harness system to the collar. The seat belt is only intended to be attached to the harness. If your pet has to be left alone in the car for a short time, you should unbuckle it to be on the safe side. However, please remember that when the sun is shining and the weather is warm, the vehicle can quickly become very hot, which can be life-threatening for your four-legged friend.
SABRO tips: How to get your dog used to driving a car
Not every dog is enthusiastic about driving from the start. Especially for shelter dogs and their new owners, traveling by car can quickly become a sweaty adventure. Many shelter dogs suffer from travel sickness. They associate this with the car and it becomes a real challenge to transport the dog in the car.
It is therefore important to get puppies used to the car right from the start. With a little patience, time and training, even older dogs will learn that driving is not a danger, but one of the things that people like to do with their pets. Is your furry friend also a car-averse dog? Then the following tips are just right for you.
Your dog will soon love traveling in the car with these tricks
From a four-legged friend's point of view, traveling in a car is anything but natural. For some pets, this rolling vehicle even poses a potential danger. This makes it all the more important that we dog owners take enough time to get our pets used to the vehicle before we think about traveling together.
Tasty treats can certainly help us do this. Treats help your four-legged friend to get used to the vehicle. If you don't push your furry friend, but give him enough time to explore the rolling monster in his own way and encourage him with tasty snacks, you can expand the radius after a while and let him explore the car from the inside.
Wait a while before the first journey until your dog no longer sees the car as a potential danger. To get your four-legged friend used to driving effectively, you should only take short trips at the beginning and ideally combine these with great outings. This way, your pet will learn that driving is a great thing.
What are your experiences with your dog in the car? Leave us a comment and tell us your tips on how to make car journeys with your dog more relaxed.
