Car restraints for dogs

play it safe this summer

So many dogs love to ride in the car. Whether it’s a trip to the dog park, a favorite hiking trail, or a playdate with some canine buddies, if I just rattle the keys, Shelby comes running. Even if your dog is more of a homebody and only gets in the car to go the vet or grooming salon, car restraints are something you need to consider. In fact, car safety is as important for your dog as it is for your human passengers, so purchasing a crate, carrier or restraint harness and using it properly is crucial.

Why dogs shouldn’t be loose in the car

Even a relatively minor fender bender can be potentially fatal for a dog that’s loose in the car. A sudden stop can pitch him into the back of a seat, or worse, into the windshield. In a 2012 American Automobile Association survey, 56% of respondents said they’d driven with their dogs at least once per month in the last year, but only 16% used any sort of restraint for them.

That’s a problem, according to safety expert, Lyndsay Wolko, founder of the C…