Safety on the Road
By Colleen Paige
Bringing home a new pet can be such an exciting experience. Especially if you have children, they will be eagerly anticipating that trip to the shelter to pick up their new furry sibling. However, there are many things to keep in mind and prepare for before you get on the road home with your new furry family member, as you may find it very difficult to concentrate on driving, especially if your dog becomes car sick or jumps repeatedly from the front seat to the back because of excitement or anxiety. As a former paramedic on the busy streets of Los Angeles, I responded to many an accident caused by driver distraction due to pets in the vehicle. It’s so tragic when a dog never even makes it home to their new life because they didn’t survive the accident.
Regardless of the fact that many dogs like riding in the car or in the back of a truck, and you may consider yourself a skilled driver, neither one of you are safe from poorly skilled, intoxicated or irresponsible drivers. More accidents happen just a few miles from home than in distant places because drivers are familiar with their surroundings and driving less defensively. Think about this the next time you are just going to throw your dog in the backseat or the back of the truck to go down to the local market or gas station. Believe me, I have seen this happen over and over again. Don’t be careless….just as you would your kids – buckle up your dog every time you put him in the car.
At just 10 M.P.H. to an abrupt stop, such as an animal running of in front of your car, your dog is at great risk of flying into or through the windshield and at the very least, suffering broken bones from the blunt force trauma of being thrust into the back of the seat, hitting the dashboard or flying out the back of your truck. Many small dogs that ride on their owner’s laps are often crushed to death from the impact of the person’s body against the steering wheel, where sadly the dog will often be between.
There are many good safety harnesses and crates available today which prevent this kind of injury to your dog. If you cannot afford a safety harness, which can be found from roughly $20-$30, {www.BerganExperience.com} I suggest that you at least loop your dog’s leash through the seatbelt or if in the back of a truck, creating a three point harness system to confine him from freely roaming, distracting you and possibly causing you to have an accident.
For a dog that may get car sick, to keep you from distraction, put down a durable seat cover or towel prior to departure so that if you hear your dog vomiting, you won’t be inclined to worry about your upholstery and take your eyes off the road – you can simply ignore it until it’s safe to pull off the road. Another thing that is helpful is to avoid having a car full of screaming children if you have a road nervous dog. Children’s loud voices, crying, laughing or screaming can make an especially newly adopted dog very anxious and behave in an aggressive manner – harnessed or not.
With a new dog or puppy, the best approach for the drive home is to have another adult or teenager with you to sit with the dog during travel. For an overly anxious dog that doesn’t suffer from car sickness, having a passenger distract him with treats or a treat-toy filled with peanut butter is a great calming tool. Even a squeaky toy might be a refreshing sight. This will help to take the dogs’ mind off his anxiety and redirect his attention on you.
For long road trips, especially in inclement weather, make sure you have the following essentials:
• 3-5 days of Water
• 3-5 days of Food
• Treats
• Potty bags
• 3-5 days of necessary medications
• Blankets for warmth in the winter and shade in the summer if for some reason you need to leave the vehicle due to an accident or car fire.
• Pet First Aid Kit
• A list of pet friendly accommodations all along your trip route in case of mechanical break down. You really need this! Even if you have a newer car, they can break down too! It could take hours on the phone, going through the yellow pages or surfing the internet to find a place that will accept your pet. Make sure that all the places you choose do not have breed or weight restrictions. Many will require an additional pet fee above and beyond your room rate. This generally ranges from $50-$150. And be prepared! Many establishments do not refund this fee even if your dog leaves no damage. Ask about this in advance.
When planning long road trips, no one wants to overload their vehicle with unnecessary gear – however it’s better to be safe than sorry. I always suggest packing the car as if you’re going camping with your dog. And whatever you do, don’t forget the marshmallows!!
