SAFETY TIPS FOR DOGS IN CARS

These safety tips about dogs in cars will help you prevent needless injury or death. Be aware and take these simple precautions.

• DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS! Too often in the hot months people leave their dogs in the car with the window cracked, not realizing that their car acts as an oven. Even in a seemingly shaded spot a car can reach over 100 degrees inside in a matter of minutes, even if your windows are cracked. Your dog may develop heat stroke, or even worse die.

I just read a good tip about dogs in cars that a client sent me about dogs that are left inside cars on an overcast humid day. Seems harmless enough if you read the above tip, but if it is overcast and HUMID conditions it can cause a condition in the car where the dog will actually suffocate. This is the first time I have heard of this, but none the less I want to pass it on to you just so you stay safe.

• DOGS SHOULDN'T HANG THEIR HEAD OUT THE WINDOW! This site always gets people smiling and talking, but one little bug or a stone thrown up by another car could seriously injure your dog. Keep her inside the ride at all times.

• DON'T LET YOUR DOG ROAM AROUND THE CAR WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING! A car that is moving 30 mph has a dog roaming around inside of it. If that car stops suddenly, or crashes, that dog is still going 30 mph....That makes for quite the projectile! It puts you at risk and it puts your dog at risk. Secure your dog for safety. Use a crate or install a barrier if you don't have a harness.

• DOGS IN THE BACK OF YOUR PICK-UP TRUCK! Not a day goes by in the summer months where I DON'T see a dog or dogs in the back of a pick-up truck. I don't recommend anyone use a pick-up bed for transporting their dogs, however, some of you have no other choice. Maybe the dog doesn't fit in the truck. If you DO have to use your pick-up bed to transport your dog make sure that the dog is in a padded harness in the CENTER of the bed and secured at all times. A pair of doggles is another safety tip and a dog with a pair of doggles on gets heads turning.

• DOGS AND POWER WINDOWS If your dog is secured you need not worry about this, so do the smart thing and secure your dog. A dog is naturally curious to what's going on out the window. If he mistakenly steps on the window button it may allow for an escape route...or worse, he may get caught in the window closing.