Most dog owners are not aware of the risks they're putting themselves and their dogs when traveling unrestrained. According to Kurgo and the American Automobile Association, one in every five survivors of a crash involving their pets admitted that they took their hands off of the steering wheel to prevent their pooch from climbing in their car's front seat.
Dog car seats, also known as dog booster seats are essential devices that help transport dog safely. Its main purpose is to protect your pet while keeping him comfortable throughout the ride. Unrestrained dogs sit in your lap or hop around at the back seat which can distract you when driving. Moreover, they can be thrown out of your car in case of a crash. Not properly securing your pet can put you and his life in danger.
Benefits Of Using A Dog Car Seat
Here are some of the most notable benefits offered by a dog booster seat:
- Keeps your pet safe. You may find it fun and cute to see your dog sticking his head out of your car's window or roaming around the back seat, but sudden turns and stop can hurt him. Dog safety seats that are well-designed can keep him stable.
- Keeps your dog relaxed. Most of our canine buddies become uneasy while riding in vehicles. You can tell it when they're whining, pacing back and forth or panting heavily. Placing in a dog car seat will provide him a sense of security and protection.
- He can enjoy the view. Majority of our pets love looking out our car's window and see what's going on throughout the drive. These seats boost your dog, especially small breed types, helping them to see the road.
- Keeps you safe. Having an unrestrained dog to manage can distract your focus on the road ahead. Taking your hands off the wheel even for one second is unsafe. Using the right dog booster seat eliminates this issue.
How Does It Work?
Car safety seats are usually associated with our kids than our fur babies, and you may be wondering how they work. Dog booster seats looked different from a baby car seat. They looked more like a uniquely designed dog bed which provides a lot of the same safety benefits and features for your pet.
These seats can keep your furry friend more secure and stable during the ride compared to letting him ride loose in the back seat. You attach it to your car's front or back seat, while your dog is strapped into place with its harnesses. Dog car seats are typically comprised of a comfortable, soft base with high walls surrounding it so that your puppy will not be able to jump out of it.
Furthermore, this pet travel essential offers enough room for your pooch to move around, but small enough to prevent them from hurting themselves.
Criteria To Consider When Selecting A Dog Booster Seat
- Storage and ease of use. When shopping around for a dog booster seat, the first things you need to consider are how easy it is to set up, its usability, and how you can store it. Setting and picking it up should be simple and quick. Look for seats that use buckles making them easy to fold and store. There are cheaper options that do have buckles but expect them to break in a matter of weeks. Also, they don't offer the same level of usability and foldability compared to the more expensive ones.
- Safety features. If a dog booster does not offer sufficient safety features, it's not worth buying it. Make sure to look for those that you can securely attach to your vehicle's seat and can hold your pup in place tightly. If you have the budget, there are high-quality seats that utilize the seat belt of your vehicle to hold it securely into place. They also feature a type of harness or leash so that you can buckle your fur baby into place comfortably.
- Size and comfort. Aside from being comfortable, dog booster seats should also offer ample space so that your pet stays calm and quiet. It should also offer enough room for your pooch to sit up and lay down to keep him from getting upset or agitated.
- Material type. Your pet will love his car seat ever more if it has padding. Also, look a seat made from quality, durable materials, can withstand wear and tear, and simple to clean.
Train Your Dog Patiently
Setting the dog car seat is easy. However, having your pet use it willingly and consistently is another thing. If your dog will not get anywhere near the seat because he's too nervous, it is recommended to take it out of your car first and place it on the ground. Place some of his favorite food in the seat and let him take the food out of it. Once he's comfortable doing it, get him in the seat with his food. Your precious pet will soon realize that the seat is not an enemy.
Another technique you can try is to increase the amount of time he spends in the seat gradually so that he will not associate it with a dreadful long ride. Make sure to reward your dog with positive words whenever he gets near the seat. Give him a treat or two each time he gets in the booster seat.
Dog's temperament differs, and some may need a bit more positive reinforcement and training than others. You will be able to encourage your furry best friend to love his car seat by always staying positive and taking things slow.
