by Lizz Souders, Operations
Find more tips about taking your dog for a ride in the car here.
As I had stated last month, we take our two dogs to the groomers every three or four months. My husband is usually the lucky one to take them, since he doesn’t sleep in on the weekends like I do. He tends to just throw Murphy, our Lab, into the back seat of his car. Then, Murphy will pace back and forward and try to get into the front seat for the fifteen minute drive. Have you ever tried to hold back a hard-headed, determined, solid muscle, 75 lb. Labrador retriever while you drive?
I, on the other hand, don’t enjoy wresting while driving. I don’t want Murphy walking around my van while I drive him to the groomer or veterinarian. I remembered reading somewhere that if you wrap some sort of towel or t-shirt around a dog’s middle that they get a sense of comfort and security, resulting in a calmer ride. Of course, trying to find the right towel or t-shirt to fit Murphy can be a trial in itself. I decided to buy a seatbelt for pets at a local pet store.
I had the seatbelt for months and kept telling my husband to use it, but what do I know? The other day I had to take Murphy to the vet for a visit, and I decided to try the pet seat belt. It was a little difficult to put on him, but I eventually figured it out.
It was wonderful. Murphy sat and rested against the back of the seat or carefully lounged across it. I’d look back at him when I was stopped at a light to see how he was doing. It was so cute to see how calm he was leaning against the seat back with his head resting next to head rest and staring out the back window, content. It wasn’t until I was a block away from the vet that he started with the ear splitting, excited barking. That I can handle.
The seatbelt made Murphy a happier passenger, saved my sanity, and made the whole trip a calmer, safer experience for both of us.
