Does Your Dog Measure Up To Your Car?

If it looks uncomfortable to other dog owners watching, can you imagine how those poor dogs feel cooped up in the back.

So Car Guru have taken the pain out buying the wrong size car by providing their customers with a special calculating tool.

Car Gurus new simple tool ‘Pupgrader’ will help to provide you with a choice of suitable cars for your size of dog or dogs based on the most popular ten breeds and will take the pain away (and embarrassment!) of ordering the wrong size car.

Their 5 question tool is so easy to use, simply asks you how many dogs you want to carry, whether you intend to use your vehicle for your dog and family, the size of dog(s), whether you’re requiring electric or not, or a SUV and provides choices.

So don’t make the mistakes that thousands of new car buyers have made during the 2020 lockdown on your next vehicle upgrade.

Likewise, the pandemic bought about new changes in habits, where more dog owners walked their dogs in local parks and countryside.

Once restrictions were lifted saw a surge in the public and dog owners visiting the countryside for weekend breaks, staycations, or enjoying a lovely day out using their cars to transport their pet.

This bought about the realisation that the outdated Countryside Code, first published in 1951, needed a makeover and include more up-to-date advice for first-time visitors, including dog walkers.

Once you’ve provided your new puppy or dog with their dedicated car space, it’s the drivers responsibility to ensure that your new puppy or dog, are suitably restrained whilst driving.

It’s important to travel with pets secured in place in the rear of the car for their, your, and your family safety whilst travelling, by using harnesses or specially designed dog carriers and crates or grills, as required by The Highway Code which states –

_{Rule 57 of the Highway Code states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seatbelt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”}

The Highway Code rules covering animals, Rules 47-58

For more information and best tips on how to travel safely with your dog in your vehicle read Pet Check’s ‘Does My Pet Need To Be Harnessed In My Car Whilst Driving?’

Dogs Travelling Safety Aids

Some owners prefer to use dog crates or carriers in the boot of their vehicles. There’s a selection available, again sized according to dog breed sizes, and car specifications, and available in colours, but noticeably like many dog accessories during lockdown, the demand has been high for these items providing sometimes less choice.

If your planning a staycation then it’s advised to buy now rather than later to ensure delivery. Crates and carriers can be used all year round for your puppy or dog, providing a secure environment used as their dedicated space rather than an open, easy to access dog bed and suitable to use at rental staycation holiday properties, caravan holidays and selected dog-friendly hotels doubling up as as their bed.

Additionally, you can buy crate covers that add protection from drafts and more security, if there are two dogs in the home.

Other accessories include, travel dog guards. Look for solidly made and that lock into place securely. Boot dividers are available for some models of vehicles which let you separate your luggage from your dog.

Harnesses are super-important and buy the best, robust, for maximum security and safety. Like dog walking harnesses, look for those that have padding around the chest and leash attachments front and back, which helps to keep your dog comfortable when harnessed in the car.

If your dog is harnessed and travels on the back seat then buy fitted tailored-made dog seat protection covers which must be robust and especially, machine washable. Some seat covers have a zip out section for the arm rest allowing a passenger to use the arm rest whilst your pet travels the other side of the rest.

Don’t forget to buy an easy to clean collapsible bowl to keep in the car for journeys and some spare water. Re-cycle finished-with soft drink plastic bottles, storing full bottles in your car, replenishing with fresh water regularly.

Lastly, we spare a though for senior dogs, particularly bigger dogs that may be finding it harder with age to jump into the boot to go out and travel in the car, and in the process is scratching your bumper even more. This is the time to buy a collapsible, folding, easy to store dog ramp with an adequate weight capacity for your dog. Look for one that has a non-slip surface where your dog won’t slip when walking up it and, is lightweight to handle such as aluminium.

More of these items you buy from Pets At Home or Jollyes, who both have local stores and super big online pet stores. just click here.

The recent pandemic has bought about new changes to the ways we do things. Post lockdown restrictions may require households not to travel in certain areas of the UK. Read latest government advice. It’s advisable to check with your local council and social media websites before making special journeys.