All the things I wish I knew before I got my first ever puppy!
If you are in the least bit protective over the interior of your car, you're going to want to make some adjustments before you let your little fluff ball anywhere near it!
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Leather seats that you don't want ripped or scratched by sharp claws? Material seats that you don't want to be scrubbing muddy or vomit stains out of? Dogs are awesome, but they don't always make good passengers...especially as puppies!
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I have written a more in-depth article (link below) on dogs and cars, but here I'm just going to list some great products on the market that I've found to be a life saver...or a car saver!
DOGS & CARS
Spoiler: They don't always get on
1. DOG SEATBELT
It is a legal requirement that your dog is suitably restrained within a vehicle, so if you're not planning on putting your dog in the boot and/or in a crate, a seatbelt is a must have.
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There are 2 types of seatbelt, one that plugs into the normal seatbelt clip, and one that loops over the headrest. Which one is better depends on your size of dog, how much movement you want them to have and what car you have.
2. FOR SMALLER DOGS- A DOG SEAT
I would LOVE to have one of these for Cooper, but as he's already well over the 20kg mark, there's no way he's going to fit comfortably on a single seat! However for smaller dogs these are ideal and double up as a bit of a bed for them, not to mention it gives them a bit of a boundary in the car, the last thing you want is your dog having a chew of the handbrake or gear stick while you're out on a drive!
3. SEAT COVERS
If your dog's a bit too big for the front seat, or the back seat is going to be their driving home, a seat cover is a must. Mud, drool, fur and vomit are just 4 of the things your dog is probably going to bring into your car at some point. I went for these pecute covers as they're like a hammock and your dog can't slip into the footwell. I've put up actual photos of this cover in my car in my articles dogs & cars
4. BOOT COVER
If your dog's got the luxury of a boot to itself, then a boot liner is probably a good idea. Dirt aside there's a lot of cubby holes leading off the boot that you don't want your dog getting into mid drive.
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A lot of car companies sell specific boot covers for their cars, so depending on how much you want to shell out, I'm sure going with them will be your best option. If you don't want to spend a fortune though there are plenty of generic options out there which have great reviews!
5. A TRAVEL CARRIER
If your dog isn't a fan of the car, it may be worth trying them in a travel carrier, especially if they are used to a crate at home. A car is a completely alien thing for a dog so if you can find a way to make it more normal for them you're probably going to end the journey with a much more chilled out dog!
7. BOOT GATE
Again, like the boot covers, this is probably something you can get direct from your cars manufacturer if you're prepared to pay the right price. If you dog travels loose in the boot it still needs to be restrained either in a crate or by a belt, but having a boot gate adds that extra reassurance that 1. Your dog is not going to try and get through 2. If their belt etc comes off, they can't physically get through.
