Aaaah! The wind in my fur. Tongue flapping saliva all over the window and the passenger in the back seat. Splat bug in my eye!
While riding unrestrained in the back of a pickup or hanging a head out of an open car window can seem like a romantic excursion for a dog, it is a very dangerous idea. Every year dogs are killed or severely injured from falling out of the back of moving vehicles or jumping out of open windows. Some just lose their balance, others bail out willingly at the sight of another dog, person, cat, or rabbit. Bugs and flying road debris can cause injury to the eyes and face. Additionally, improperly restrained animals cause an estimated 30,000 car accidents per year. Crates, properly adjusted doggy seat belts, and tethers can all help keep a dog safe. If your dog for some reason has to be tied in the back of a pickup truck make sure that the tether is short enough that the dog can’t jump out and hang himself.
