Are you ready for a road trip with your German Shepherd dog? Well, as fun as it may sound, it is not always easy in managing a German Shepherd in the car and to keep him/her safe.
It doesn’t really matter whether you plan to go on a quick trip around the corner or a long drive across the country, GSD safety in the car is something you must consider.
This is because you certainly do not want your dog to be giving you puppy kisses while you drive, as this could be very distracting.
How to keep German Shepherds safe in the car?
The first step that you need to do is to get a seat belt for your German Shepherd.
In case you own one, you have already done 20% of your job. There are a number of seat belt options for you to choose from. Just consider taking a trip down to the pet shop in order to take a look at all your options.
Some dogs simply happen to be scared of the sight of other cars and the traffic noise. If this sounds like your beloved pet, you may find it useful to build a small mobile den out of a wooden crate for him/her to rest inside.
Crates of mobile dens allow the dogs to relax inside the car without having to worry about the sight of other big cars around them.
This will also allow your dog to feel safer and to be in a place that which he is familiar with.
Often at times, anxious dogs try to climb on top of the owner during a drive. This can be very dangerous and extremely distracting. In case you own an anxious dog, consider using a barrier to prevent him/her from climbing on top of you.
In bigger cars such as SUVs, you may let the dog rest on the back seat and place a special fence barrier in between you two.
Before getting a special fence for this purpose, do try it out to see if it fits in your particular car.
Also, try to leave no gaps from which your dog may slip through while you are fastening it.
It is important to take breaks during long road trips. Your dog may get overly anxious and bored if you ignore it for a long period.
So it is always nice to take breaks on your way for snacks, water, and potty. Do keep water and snacks with you at all times to prevent your dog from getting dehydrated.
Also, do not forget to keep the temperature of the car under check. Often at times, dogs die of dehydration when their owners leave them locked inside a parked car. Make sure that this does not happen! In short, do not leave your dog unattended in a parked car.
Sharing moments and long adventures with your dog can be rewarding and memorable. However, this is something that comes with great responsibility.
So it is time for you to be the responsible owner that you are and take all the precautions that you need to ensure the safety of your German Shepherd.
