Driving with your dog in the van? Expert shares the essential safety items you should have
For many of us, our canine companions are a massive part of our lives and accompany us on all of our adventures. Whether you take your four-legged friend to work with you, or you're packing the van to head on a pup-friendly staycation - travelling with our dogs in tow is often a given.
Yet van drivers risk a fine of up to £5,000 for not safely securing dogs while driving, and you can also end up with nine points on your licence and invalidated insurance.
Recent research by Volkswagen found that around 41% of commercial vehicle drivers take their pet to work - yet almost a third (29%) admitted they don't always restrain their hound in a safe way.
With that in mind, the vehicle experts at Select Van Leasing have compiled a list of the safest ways to travel with your pooch or pooches in your van, whether they're sitting on the car seats or travelling in a dedicated cage in the back.
1. Dog Seatbelt
A dog seat belt is the most important item to purchase if you plan on travelling with your pup and they're going to be sitting on the seats, as it keeps them securely in place, and prevents them from distracting you whilst driving.
The seat belt works just like a normal seat belt would, with an end that plugs into the buckle and another end that can be clipped onto the D ring of your dog's harness - taking us on to the next item for your checklist.
2. Harness
A harness is the safest item a dog can be wearing when travelling in a van or car. The harness fits securely around the chest and neck, has padding built into the front, and has a D ring on the back for a seat belt to be clipped onto. This secures your pooch in place without causing any damage to your dog's neck, like it could if the seatbelt was attached to your dog's collar.
3. Dog seat/carrier
If you have a smaller dog or a dog that loves its confined, cosy spaces, then a dog seat/carrier is another great option. This will be used in conjunction with a dog seat belt and harness, however, this provides a safe space for your dog to relax with their favourite blanket or toy.
4. Dog crate/cage for vehicles
If you're driving a panel van with a load bed in the back, and don't have room for your dog to travel on one of the car seats next to you, then there is another safe option that allows your dog to travel in the back. Similar to a crate that you can get for the house, you can purchase a strong car crate or cage that is crash-tested and crush-proof, that can be securely fixed into the back of your van.
