When you have a highly trained and skilled working K9, such as a personal protection dog, police K9, or championship sport dog, you will certainly be traveling with them. Just like any one of your friends or family members, you will want to ensure that your guard dog can travel comfortably and safely, no matter where you are going.
A personal protection dog is a highly trained animal, who can alert its handlers to threats, engage attackers and subdue them until help can arrive. They are an invaluable asset to individuals who may be high profile or targeted for various reasons. These K9s are ready to be on the job when at home or on the road. They will protect your life and property at all costs, therefore, it is imperative to protect them when out and about.
Today we are going to overview the various ways to transport such high caliber dogs, as well as the pros and cons of each. We will discuss safety elements, as well as comfort factors. Some solutions will be better for short jaunts, and others more suitable for extended riding.
If you are utilizing one of the in-vehicle safety methods listed below, they should always be used in the back of the vehicle. Having a dog in the front seat can cause driver distraction. In addition, if you were to be in an accident, the dashboard and airbags can cause severe, if not fatal injury to your valuable companion.
It should be noted that a dog ramp can be a helpful assistive device to allow your K9 to safely be able to enter the vehicle without having to jump in and potentially injure themselves. Now, let’s take a look at some of the best transportation safety solutions on the market to ensure your specialty K9 arrives safely at its destination.
REAR SEAT HARNESS
One of the most cost-effective options for keeping your guard dog safe when driving is a harness that fits with your car or truck’s seat belt system. These are perfect for the well-trained K9 who should be relaxed and mostly still during travel.
These harnesses allow your vehicle’s seat belt to slide through their attachment loop and click into the buckle. The harness then goes around your dog, securing them safely around their rib and upper abdominal area. In the unfortunate case of an accident, having the force distributed across the chest and torso will hopefully prevent severe injury to your pup.
Harnesses are also important to human safety in a vehicle. They prevent your dog from becoming a projectile in an accident and keep them in one place so that they do not become a distraction to drivers or passengers.
When it comes to harnessing downfalls, they can be chewed through. A harness can also cause skin irritation and get uncomfortable for your K9 if the trip is long.
CRATE
If you are planning on being on the road with your personal protection dog frequently, investing in a good dog crate that attaches to your vehicle's LATCH system is an excellent transportation choice. Crates come in various sizes and can accommodate dogs large and small. There are hard-sided and soft-sided crates or even crates known as plush carry boxes.
A crate is a good travel solution for longer journeys, as your four-legged friend is secure and safe inside, yet can move around and lie down comfortably. When selecting the best crate for your purposes, you will want to make sure that it fits either in the rear seat or trunk of your car. Again, your K9 should never ride in the front. The crate also needs to be large enough that your dog can turn around inside of it.
Dog crates are a reliably safe travel option and have few downsides other than cost and they can take up a significant amount of space in your vehicle. Here at Tactical K9 Solutions we love the Ruffland Performance Crate. These crates feature a on-piece root-molded construction from UV-stabilized polyethylene and makes for a very strong crate. These crates are easy to clean. They are also taller than most standard size crates which give the dog more room to stand up complete. To be clear we are not in any way shape or form sponsored by Ruffland, we at TCS just love these crate.
For companion dogs Plush carry boxes are a crate-like option that is good for smaller dog breeds. Although most personal protection and guard dogs are larger, some sport dogs can be small and may enjoy traveling this way. A plush carry box is an elevated box that is used with a dog travel harness to protect your dog while allowing him to have a good view.
REAR INSERT
If you are not needing to use the back seat for passengers or luggage, a rear insert can allow your personal protection dog to travel in comfort. The padded non stick rubber floor provides k9 comfort and ease of cleaning. The rear insert provide maximum driver visibility and provide easy access for you and your K9. Often constructed out of double wall aluminum for maximum durability. These K9 insert are very popular with Law Enforcement as many of these insert are build the fit the most common brands of vehicles use by police such as the Ford Explorer (Interceptor), Ford Expedition, Ford F150 and the Chevy Tahoe. Some manufactures are able to custom make insert for any vehicle. Expect that to be pricey. The K9 insert is an excellent choice for Police and Personal protection dog as these insert can be equipment with an optional “popper”. A solenoid that with a push of a button, on a remote, will open the door of the vehicle so the K9 can be deployed remotely.
DOG TRAILER
You have spared no expense in the purchase of your protection dog, and if you are looking for the ultimate way to allow your dog to travel in safety and style, a towable dog trailer is an incredible option. Although costly, K9 travel kennels are climate controlled with individual travel compartments for one or more dogs. They can deliver fresh water for your dog during any journey and keep them comfortable for countless miles. Another positive, is they allow you to maintain all the passenger and cargo room within your vehicle’s passenger compartment. Our trailer of choice is the WT-Metall Trailers. These trailers are made in Germany and provide excellent safety features and durability. They are pricey but well worth the investment.
There are few cons to choosing to travel with a dog trailer. The biggest is the expense, and they require your vehicle to have a towing package.
We hope that our overview of safe transport options for your personal protection dog has assisted you in finding the best travel solution for your needs. For more information about personal protection dogs, reach out to Tactical K9 Solutions today.