| Dog cages turn out to be one of the best solutions | | | | passing smells? Alas, many have been injured by road |
| to a pet owner's dilemma: "What do I do with the | | | | debris and insects that enter their eyes, nostrils, or |
| dog when I am traveling?" | | | | mouth. Others have even been strangled by |
| Whether you are moving across town or taking a car | | | | accidentally activating the electric window control, and |
| trip across the country, a dog cage serves as a safe | | | | many more have needed trips to the vet for |
| travel cabin for your beloved pet when you are | | | | respiratory distress due to cold air forced into their |
| travelling by car. They are a necessity if you are | | | | lungs. You wouldn't let your child stick her head or |
| traveling by plane. | | | | arms out would you, just because she begged, would |
| Your Dog's Mobile Home | | | | you? Resist your dog's entreaties and keep him inside |
| One of the best ways to plan ahead is by crate | | | | the passenger cabin. |
| training your dog from puppyhood. As dogs are | | | | Dogs and Pickups: A Dangerous Mix |
| instinctively denning animals, the cage becomes the | | | | If you are driving a pick-up, avoid the temptation to |
| dog's familiar "hangout," providing him with a sense of | | | | stick the dog in the back. It's been estimated that |
| safety and security. This can be doubly important | | | | over 100,000 dogs die each year falling from pickups. |
| when passing through unfamiliar surroundings. | | | | Even a quick swerve can be enough to send your |
| Furthermore, many hotels or motels will only accept | | | | precious pet flying. Also, dogs may jump out of the |
| dogs that are securely crated due to concerns about | | | | truck bed, creating hazards and possibly accidents to |
| soiling of carpets, damage to furniture, not to | | | | others trying to avoid him. Have you touched the |
| mention dangers to other guests. If your travels | | | | metal of the truck bed in summer? It can get hot |
| involve visiting family and friends, they too will | | | | enough to injure your dog or encourage him to leap |
| appreciate your concern for their property and peace | | | | out of it. If you want to put the dog in the pickup |
| of mind. Asking friends to "love me, love my dog" | | | | bed, make sure he is in a secured crate with |
| can be an unfair burden. | | | | protection from a hot metal floor. |
| Car Safety Issues | | | | Finally, animals cannot tell us when they are hot, cold, |
| There are even more benefits to putting four-footed | | | | thirsty, or hungry. Remember that dogs, like children, |
| friend in a cage before taking off in the car. For one | | | | should not be left in cars, particularly with the |
| thing, an unrestrained pet is a danger to the driver, | | | | windows closed in the summer heat. It can be lethal |
| occupants, and the pet. Should you be in an accident | | | | as well as illegal. Keep in mind that when you are |
| or even just brake suddenly, an unrestrained | | | | bundled up for cold, that your pet would appreciate |
| occupant (whether animal or human) becomes a | | | | some consideration too. Have a snuggly blanket on |
| projectile that can injure others as well as be | | | | hand in winter. Carry water and food (with dishes) |
| severely injured. Crate your dog-and secure the | | | | for your pet to make sure they do not attempt to |
| crate. An alternative is a special safety dog harness | | | | sample any dirty water or food scraps at rest stops. |
| that uses the seatbelt system installed in your car. | | | | Using dog cages and following these tips can make |
| Who hasn't seen a happy dog sticking its head out | | | | traveling with "man's best friend" safe and fun for |
| the window of a moving vehicle, savoring all those | | | | everyone. |