Best Car Safety Gear for Traveling with Dogs

Jan 6, 2024

Did you know it’s National Train Your Dog Month? Here at Classic, we love being able to take our furry friends with us on our road trips and vacations. Before we hit the road, we practice acclimating them to the car, so they’ll be comfortable, happy, and calm on the journey. We also make sure to secure our pets to reduce and eliminate distracted driving, as well as keep them safe in the event of an unavoidable accident. On today’s blog, we’re going to share our favorite tips to acclimating your dog to being your road trip sidekick, and some suggestions for gear to keep ‘em comfy and belted safely. Check it out!

Need help showing your pup how to passeng safely? We’ve got some basic suggestions to get started on that journey.

Introduce your pup to safety restraints, crates, and other car ride harnesses while indoors, and always while reinforcing positive experiences such as treats, praise, playing with their favorite toys, and physical affection (if your dog appreciates that!) Your job here is to associate the safety gear with a happy, wonderful, enjoyable experience ahead of time so that when you’re ready to get on the road, they’re excited to use it!
If your pet has never ridden in a car before or has a bit of nervousness, it’s a great idea to spend some time making sure to associate the car with a positive experience. Some of the ways you can do this are by offering chaperoned and leashed socialization in and around your vehicle, making a game out of loading in and out of the vehicle, and sitting inside quietly for very short durations. Once your pet is used to that, you can practice slowly driving in and out of your parking space or driveway, and increasing the distance and duration of travel time.
Giving your pets a pet-friendly, safe area away from other passengers and the drivers can prevent distractions as well as make your pets feel safer and more secure. Use a crate to keep them safe and sound, a grate between the front and back seat or cargo areas. Avoid driving situations where your pet is in your arms on your lap and unrestrained.
If you’re not opting for a sectioned gate or a crate, secure your fuzzy pal with a seatbelt harness, appropriately sized pet car seat, and/or attach their harness into a special seatbelt attachment with shock absorber.
Crack the windows no more than a few inches, making sure your pup cannot get any paws, their nose, or any other body part out the window. Just enough for some fresh air!
Have a friend or family member that your dog is comfortable with sit in the back seat alongside your pal to help them remain calm and seated or lying down.

Get them a special elevated doggy car seat so they’re positioned up higher with a view of the outside that can help them see outside and acclimate their equilibrium a bit better.
Open the windows just a pinch to circulate some fresh air and help them breathe more evenly. The windows should not be open enough for your dog to get their head or body outside the vehicle.

Note: We’re just very enthusiastic dog lovers, not canine professionals. Please remember, these are just suggestions, but should not be taken as professional advice or replace instructions or routines given for training by a professional. You may wish to consider hiring a certified, credentialed trainer or behaviorist to assist you further.

Want to keep your pet pals safe and secure in the car? Here’s some great options for pet friendly restraint systems:

Ruffwear’s Load Up Car Harness was created specifically with your dog’s safety in mind during collision and related road incidents. The design includes strength-rated hardware, premium webbing fabric, and durable materials and padding to create a very secure, strong restraint for comfortable extended wear. It was thoroughly researched and crash tested to provide comfort and safety for your pup, and its easy on/off attachment system was designed with convenience in mind for you.
Kurgo’s Car Safety Harnesses are offered in two styles and sizes. The lower priced option is the Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness, and the higher price point option is the Impact Dog Car Harness. The Tru-Fit harness was crash tested for dogs up to 75lbs, and features a 10” seatbelt tether with steel carabiner, can be used as an every day harness, features leash attachments on the back and front, and utilizes steel nested buckles and hardware with a padded chest plate. The Impact harness was constructed from a singular piece of webbing, features all steel hardware, a leash attachment on the back of the harness, and fully integrates with your vehicle’s seatbelt systems.
The Carrotez Bungee Leash Extension offers shock absorption to reduce stress and injury from walking, running, and other impact related force. The trigger snap carabiner attaches to your dog’s collar or harness securely, and the D-ring attaches to your seatbelt, leash, or harness to provide additional support. It can also act as a small traffic handle to help stabilize your pup as they load in and out of the vehicle or for direction on walks.
Paw Brands offers a variety of colors, materials, and sizes for dog-friendly car seats. Adding a plush, soft sided car seat may provide a calming environment for your dog, reducing their anxiety and/or discouraging physical movement while the vehicle is in motion. This brand may be pricier entry to the pet car seat category, but has frequently offered promotions and sales for both holidays and seasonally.