Most of us dog lovers, want our pup with us in the car. We all have to take our dog here and there, be it the groomers, or just enjoying a ride together. There is not much more satisfying than jingling your keys, and seeing that cute tail wag; we love more opportunities to spend time with Fido. More than half of us drive with our dogs more than once per month. That is a lot of pup's in the car on the road!
When we bring our human family in the car, we make sure they are buckled up, which begs the question, why would we not do the same for our four-legged furry friends? If you decide to take Fido along in the car for a ride, consider investing in a dog safety belt and buckle them into the back seat for safety. If you think of it, a dog that is loose in the car in a time of impact not only becomes a missile, there is a high chance of them getting thrown out of the window. If your pup is in the front seat and an airbag goes off, they will be severely injured. We all know and see the caution stickers and warning signs for the airbag, most of our dogs don't meet the weight requirements. Couple that with your pooch being loose in the front seat, and you have a recipe for a severely injured dog.
It only takes two seconds to look away from the road for a serious accident to occur, the risk of an accident doubles. Pets in the car is one of the most common distractions for drivers; we tend to pet them with our hands that should be on the wheel. By restraining your dog in the back seat, not only are you keeping Fido safe, you are reducing your own distraction while driving. Recently the Center for Pet Safety performed crash tests mirroring the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard testing and found that only some of the pet harnesses were genuinely beneficial. If you are shopping for a restraint harness for your pup, be sure it has a crash test rating listed.
We know it is hard to buckle your pup into the back of the car, however, once you get into the routine, they will get used to it, and you will too. It should go without saying that a dog should never, ever be in the back of a truck bed unrestrained. This is an incredible risk for a few reasons. Not only could an unplanned stop throw your dog out the back, Fido could run into traffic and meet his end with an oncoming car. We know that your dog is an important member of your family, and want you all to share a healthy and happy long life together.
If you have safety concerns with your vehicle or are looking for pup restrain options, give us a call or come into CARSTAR Robert's Collision & Repair in Monterey, our team will always put you first. Our experts offer top-notch service and speedy turnaround times. Whether you need a full service, auto bodywork, or auto service or repair, or a complete detail, make your appointment with Robert's Collision & Repair today. See you soon!