How to Calm Dogs For Safe Driving

By Lexi Rutter

Ways to Contain and Calm Dogs in the Car

Would-be celebrities toting micro-pooches beware - the California Assembly passed a bill fining drivers if they are driving with a dog on their lap. Following the trend of driver-distraction legislation targeted at cell phone misuse and distracted teens, this sort of law may become more widespread across the country. In addition to good training and dog calming with regard to riding in the car, here are some ways to keep your dog out of your lap in order to drive safely.

There are many products on the market which will help limit your dog's mobility in the car - some are also recommended as a safety belt for the pet, to prevent them being thrown in an accident. One type is a leash-like extension that is made out of a seatbelt-type material. One end attaches to the dog's harness and the other to the seatbelts in the car. It acts as a short leash and curtains how far the dog moves. It looks like it would be best used in the back seat - it might not be short enough to keep the dog from crossing over from the passenger side in the front.

There are also padded dog harnesses that attach to the seat belt and keep the dog more in one "seat". They look like they are made for comfort, crossing over the front of the dog's body. This type of harness looks like it would be most effective in restraining the dog in a crash, fulfilling the same function that lap and shoulder belts do for humans.

There are also numerous barriers on the market that keep the dogs in the back seat or station wagon area of a vehicle. They seem available in a variety of prices and configurations, from cage-like screening to simple fabric barriers that cover the space between the two front seats. The owner will have to take into account the size, strength and persistence of their dog in selecting the appropriate barrier. Barriers are also available which fit into the window of a car and allow the owner to leave the window open wider without their pets escaping. This is an important feature as overheating in a car is a deadly hazard for dogs and this sort of barrier seems well worth investing in.

Some dogs, and by extension their owners, may fare better in a carrier or a crate. An anxious dog may become more calm and secure in a contained environment, and it may help some dogs that suffer from motion sickness. It will certainly keep the dog safe and out of the way of the driver, and, in specific cases, make the transition from car to vet or kennel or extended travel one with a calm dog and a calm owner.

Read more articles on dog behavior and ways of calming dogs visit http://www.calmingdog.com