4 Reasons Why You Should Crate Your Dog in the Car

Should dogs be in a crate in the car? Although it is not illegal to drive with a loose dog in a vehicle in many countries and US states, the few benefits that free riding in the car may seemingly provide are far outweighed by the deadly risk of driving with an unrestrained dog in the vehicle. Here are the top 4 reasons why you should use a dog car crate when traveling with your dog.

Safety

‍Most people that allow their dogs to be loose in the car do so because they want them to be comfortable. While this is a noble goal, it puts dogs and all other passengers at an increased risk of fatal damage in the case of a car accident. Regardless of how well trained your dog is, the laws of physics still apply to it. A loose or poorly fastened dog becomes a projectile object in the case of a car accident. For example, in a car crash at 35 mph, an unrestrained 60 lb dog becomes a 2,700 lb projectile. That is enough force to kill the unrestrained dog and the car’s human occupants upon impact. Kenneling your dog in the car will keep everyone safe during car rides as well as in the event of an accident.

Legal Obligations

‍Some countries, including England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, require all dogs to be restrained when traveling in or on a vehicle. In the US, driving with unrestrained dogs could fall under some states' animal cruelty laws, and others may consider loose animals a distracted driving violation. Regardless of the law, the best way to safely travel with your dog is to safely keep them in a crate.

Reduce Dog Car Anxiety

‍Like wolves, dogs are a denning animal, so being in their own enclosed space is natural to them. A comfortable, properly sized dog crate can help your dog feel calmer and safer during car rides. If your dog struggles with anxiety or motion sickness caused by outside visuals, a plastic crate can additionally help block them out to make your dog more comfortable.

Cleanliness

Crating your dog in the car protects the interior of your vehicle. If you kennel your dog in the car, you won't have to worry about the weather and its potential effects on your car's cleanliness before taking your dog on an outing. Dog crates can contain water, dirt, mud, and accidental vomit in a way that they can easily be wiped and hosed down.

Regardless of the duration of your car ride, we recommend that you always crate your dog in the car. For more on crate training your dog to be comfortable in the car and limiting anxiety during car rides, or to learn more about any of our other dog training programs, speak to an expert at Chomps Dog Training today.