Going to the dogs

Tongue flailing, ears pushed back by the wind and its tail wagging happily. Driving down the highway with a shaggy dog poking its head out the car window is an iconic American image.

However, like the 70-mph lap-child, it’s an image that should be relegated to times gone by. People who would never consider Junior riding in anything less secure than a state-of-the-art child seat will still allow a 75-pound dog to roam free at highway speeds within a car’s passenger compartment.

Properly securing a pet while riding inside a moving vehicle not only makes it a safer ride for an animal, it helps keep the interior clean and avoids potentially hazardous situations. It may be exciting to see a flying squirrel or flying fish in the wild, but within the confines of an automobile, a soaring schnauzer is a danger to both man and beast.

According to pet safety Web site barkbuckleup.com, when driving 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield or passenger. So if yours is one of the more than 70 million households with a pet, keeping the animal restrained is the first step towards the comfort and well-being of all living things within your automobile.

For small dogs and pets, purchasing a portable kennel is the simplest answer, particularly a carrier that’s already familiar and comfortable to the pet. These can easily be securely strapped down in the back of a station wagon, minivan or SUV or, with appropriate fastenings, in the back seat of a passenger car. “In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner’s safe travel practices,” says Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

Going several steps further, Honda recently showed a concept version of its boxy Element crossover wagon that’s purposefully dedicated to hauling the family dog, right down to paw-print logos on the fenders. “In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” says John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.”

With its concept vehicle, Honda has paid dogged attention to canine comfort and safety. Older dogs, particularly those too big to be carried, can enter via a ramp into the rear cargo area. The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be used when the tailgate is opened.

Other features in the dog-friendly concept Element include a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform, a rear ventilation fan, second-row seat covers with a dog-pattern design, rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern and a spill-resistant water bowl.

While this canine car isn’t yet available for sale, many similar features are. Pet stores offer numerous products to secure a pet, including harnesses that attach to a seat belt and barriers that prevent animals from jumping – or being thrown – over the seat back. One alternative is a type of dog “hammock” that can be attached to the headrests of the front and rear seat, creating a flexible fabric floor against which a pet can brace itself during hard braking. This prevents the animal from being thrown from the seat cushion and also protects seat cushions and carpeting from claws, pet hair and… worse.

According to barkbuckleup.com, half of dog owners take their pets' comfort into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. There is at least one dog in 39 percent of all U.S. households, reports the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., adding up to a canine population estimated at 74.8 million. That means a lot of vehicles are purchased with four legs and a tail in mind.

Taking the dog on a trip is requires more planning than just buying a vehicle that fits the pooch. Acclimating the dog to travel conditions can help prevent motion sickness and the attending mess. Start off with shorter trips and use the car to take a pet someplace fun. If the animal associates a car ride only with going to the vet or boarding kennel, the vehicle becomes a place of dread and stress. If it most frequently means a trip to the park, the animal is more likely to happily jump inside.

It’s also not a good idea to feed a pet a large meal just before traveling. A one-meal-a-day dog can go on a long journey with just a few snacks and ample water. If a dog is used to more frequent meals, allow time for digestion before travel and keep the servings small. A bowl of chow is a pleasant reward after a long journey, for people and pets.

With just a few practical ideas in mind, both pets and passengers can arrive at their destination safe and sound and – at least in the case of Fido or Fifi – with a cold, wet nose and a wag of the tail.