Did you know that 1 in 5 people regularly travel with their dog unrestrained in the passenger seat of the car and 10% even place their pooch in their lap at the wheel? (dogstrust.org.uk)
Rule 57 of the Highway Code states ‘When in a vehicle make sure dogs and other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly.’
As dog owners we have an obligation for travelling safely with our dogs
You have a couple of options to ensure this
* Your dog can travel in the boot with a guard blocking access to the passenger interior. The parcel shelf will need removing
* A crate or cage securely positioned in the boot
* A harness that is appropriately sized and correctly fitted, secured to the seat belt attachment.
If you choose the last option the best position for your dog to travel in is behind the front passenger seat.
Although not following the Highway Code will mean you will receive a penalty, the police can still pull you over and you can be charged with driving without due care and attention and receive a fine and points on your licence. A worse situation would be causing an accident that results in injury or death to your dog, yourself and/or other people. Is it really worth it?
Some vehicle insurance policies will become invalid if you are involved in an accident with an unrestrained pet. One of the first things we do is put a seat belt on when getting in the car so why not restrain your pet as well? After all, it could be your pet that causes you serious injury or death if they land in the back of you when you heavily apply the brakes.
Windows may need to be open to create an airflow but never allow your dog to hang out of the window.
Switch off the airbags
Never leave a dog in a vehicle
Use sun shades to protect your dog on warm/hot days
Dogs should have access to water especially on long journeys
If you are struggling with travelling with your pet please get in touch info@postivetrainingforcanines.co.uk