December 2025 Newsletter, Car Safety With Your Dog
Hello!
We recently upgraded our car kennel and wanted to share some thoughts and reasons on why we choose to crate our dogs during travel. Whether it’s a ten minute drive or an eight hour drive, we ALWAYS prefer to have them kennel up! Here is why you may want to consider a car crate for your dog or new puppy.
Every time we load our dogs into the car, we make dozens of decisions, often without even realizing it. Windows up or down? Front seat or back? Loose or restrained? Lap rider or cargo area? While many grew up with dogs riding freely in the car, our understanding of safety has evolved and so has our responsibility as dog owners.
Whether you’re heading to the vet, driving to training, or taking a road trip, how your dog travels matters more than most people realize.
This isn’t about fear-based messaging or shaming anyone for what they’ve done in the past. It’s about education, love, and making informed choices that protect both our dogs and the people traveling with them.
Why Car Safety for Dogs Is So Important
Most car accidents happen close to home, often during routine drives we’ve done a hundred times. It only takes one sudden stop, one distracted driver, or one unexpected collision for a normal trip to turn tragic. An unrestrained dog in a vehicle becomes a projectile in a crash, even at relatively low speeds. In a 30 mph collision, a 40 pound dog can exert over 1,200 pounds of force. That level of impact can cause severe or fatal injuries to the dog and serious injuries to human passengers.
Even without a collision, sudden braking can send a loose dog flying into seats, dashboards, or windows. Beyond physical injury, many dogs associate these frightening experiences with car rides, which can create long-term anxiety or car aversion.
Car safety isn’t just about protecting your dog, it’s also about preventing them from interfering with the driver. A dog climbing into the front seat, stepping on pedals, or obstructing visibility creates a dangerous situation for everyone on the road.
The Myth of “My Dog Is Calm in the Car”
One of the most common things people say is, “My dog just lies down,” or “My dog has never been a problem in the car.” While that may be true under normal circumstances, accidents are not normal circumstances. Dogs, no matter how well-trained or calm, cannot brace themselves properly in a sudden stop or crash. Instinct kicks in, panic sets in, and their bodies are at the mercy of physics.
Loving your dog doesn’t prevent injury. Preparation does.
Why Kenneling in the Car Is the Gold Standard
When it comes to car safety, a properly secured crate or kennel is widely considered the safest option for dogs.
A quality travel kennel:
Contains your dog during sudden stops or collisions
Prevents impact with hard surfaces
Protects passengers from being struck by the dog
Reduces escape risk after an accident
Creates a familiar or safe space that many dogs find calming
In crash-tested kennels, energy from an impact is absorbed and distributed, significantly reducing the chance of catastrophic injury. While no system can guarantee zero injury in a severe crash, kenneling dramatically improves the odds.
Think of a kennel the same way you think of a car seat for a child. We don’t put kids in car seats because we expect to crash, we do it because we love them and want to protect them if something unexpected happens.
Addressing Common Concerns About Kenneling
“My dog hates crates.”
This usually means the crate hasn’t been properly introduced yet, not that the dog is incapable of learning to tolerate or even enjoy it. With positive reinforcement, gradual exposure, and consistency, most dogs adapt very well.
Short trips, high value rewards, and calm energy go a long way in changing a dog’s association with a kennel.
“Harnesses are enough, right?”
Crash tested harnesses are certainly better than no restraint at all and for some situations they may be the best option available. However, they still allow significant movement and do not offer the same level of protection as a solid kennel. especially in higher-impact collisions or rollovers.
Whenever possible, a secured kennel remains the safest choice.
Choosing the Right Kennel for Your Dog
Not all crates are created equal, especially for vehicle use.
When selecting a travel kennel, consider:
Crash testing and structural integrity
Proper sizing (your dog should be able to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably)
Ventilation
Secure anchoring points
Vehicle compatibility (SUV, hatchback, truck bed with topper, etc.)
Until recently, we have been using Ruffland kennels and LOVE them! We are still keeping them around for when we need to transport extra dogs. They are well worth the investment and are solid. Our new upgrade is a Variocage kennel that holds two dogs. For most pet owners, I highly recommend a Ruffland as a decently budget friendly but worthwhile investment. Bonus, they have lots of colors to choose from.
Soft-sided crates or wire crates are not appropriate for routine car travel in the event of an accident. These are designed for containment, not impact protection.
Investing in a high-quality kennel can feel expensive upfront, but it is far less costly than emergency veterinary care or the heartbreak of preventable loss.
What About Puppies?
Puppies are especially vulnerable in vehicles. Their bones are still developing, and even minor impacts can cause serious injury. Starting puppies in a kennel from day one sets them up for a lifetime of safe travel. When kenneling is normalized early, dogs don’t see it as a punishment, they see it as routine. For new puppy owners, this is one of the best habits you can establish right away.
Safety After an Accident
Another often overlooked benefit of kenneling is post-accident safety. In a stressful situation, even the sweetest dog can panic, bolt, or bite out of fear.
A contained dog:
Is less likely to run into traffic
Is easier for first responders to manage
Is protected while you assess injuries or wait for help
This protects your dog, you, and the people trying to assist you.
A Final Thought
Car safety for dogs isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention.
Every choice we make as dog owners reflects how deeply we care. Kenneling your dog in the car may not always be the most convenient option, but it is one of the most loving, responsible decisions you can make.
Our dogs trust us completely. They rely on us to make choices they can’t make for themselves. By prioritizing safe travel, we honor that trust and give them the best chance to come home safely every single time.
Thank you for loving your dogs enough to think ahead, plan wisely, and protect them, even when it takes a little extra effort.
Safe travels,
Endeavor ALD family