Four helpful tips for transporting dogs

You don't want to leave your four-legged friend behind when you go on vacation, but there are a few things to bear in mind if you want to get your dog safely from A to B. Long journeys in particular can be very tiring, so you need to make them as stress-free as possible for yourself and your pet. AXA Accident Research & Prevention has come up with four tips for a safe trip with your dog.

1. Don't put your dog on the passenger seat.

Carrying your dog on the passenger seat isn't against the law, but it's not advisable. Especially if you're traveling with a nervous dog or more than one dog, you can  quickly get distracted . It's essential to make sure that your dog is properly secured. This also applies if it's on the back seat.

2. Get a strong dog guard for your trunk.

A strong net or grid separating the trunk from the back seat will prevent the dog from moving around the car, but the dog can still be injured if you have an accident. Having a dog in the trunk along with baggage or other items is especially dangerous. Don't think a dog guard is all you need.

3. Get a special harness and a safety belt adapter. 

We humans automatically buckle up for safety, so why shouldn't you do the same for your canine companion? A safety belt adapter makes it easy to strap your dog into the back seat. Instead of fastening the adapter to the collar, it's safer to put the dog in a special harness. When choosing which one to buy, make sure that it's easy to use and that both the harness and the adapter can be adjusted to fit your dog.

4. Get a firmly fixed dog box.

Provided your trunk is big enough, the best and safest way to carry your dog is in a special box that gives it enough room but not too much and is firmly fixed to the trunk so it won't slide around.