How To Secure A Dog Crate In A Car (Things To Do Before A Ride With Fido)

Quick Summary

• To secure a dog crate in a car, most pet parents use bungee cords to tie the crate. They are cheap and easy to use. You may also use a seatbelt or tie-down straps, depending on where the crate is located.
• Crate training a dog is also important if you wish to transport him in a crate.
• A dog crate that is ideal for car travels should be stable, durable, and portable. Make sure it is the right size for your dog.

No matter how much my dogs enjoy car trips, safety is not optional when I use a dog crate for my four-legged friends. Safety precautions are something that I observe when my dogs are in the car. This is why knowing how to secure a dog crate is essential for safe travels. Typically, seatbelts, bungee cords, or tie-down straps are enough to do the job. But there are other things you need to take into account such as where to place the crate and how to calm your dog for a trip.

We all know keeping an unrestrained dog in a moving vehicle is both dangerous and illegal; and when dog crates have to be tied in place. You’ll be relieved to know that when you secure a dog crate, there are many options that will keep your dog comfortable. Road trips will be worry-free when your dog is comfortable inside a crate after getting used to everything. The biggest concern that you will need to keep in mind is how you will keep the crate secured. This step is easy but best done ahead of your trip in the event of problems. 

What is the Best Way to Secure a Dog Crate in Your Vehicle?

Training your furry friend to be comfortable inside a crate is the first step, and the next step is getting the crate secured in the car. A relaxed, calm dog is always lovely to have when you’re on the road. Making sure the crate’s location inside your vehicle is secure is necessary. Hitting potholes or taking sharp turns can be very stressful for your dog if not properly secured.

The good news is that securing a dog travel crate is mostly easy. As many options as you have available, you can select one for your circumstances easily. The cargo area or the backseat are ideal locations for a dog travel crate for safety and convenience. Learning how to secure your dog crate in the car is essential, no matter how often you go on trips.

If you drive a crossover, SUV, or wagon, securing your dog inside a vehicle is easy with a divider between the rear seat and load area. By keeping your pup in the back of the car with a partition, you are putting him in the car’s safest place in case of an accident. Separating the dog from passengers helps avoid a lot of problems that may happen during trips, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

However, there are some scenarios that dividers aren’t good options for, such as if you drive a sedan. A dog travel crate is more practical and versatile for cars ill-suited to dividers. A crate is often a superior alternative to a divider as a containment concept. However, not all crates have been designed to be crash-proof. Fabric or lighter-weight plastic crates should be avoided in favor of something more durable. One of the things you want to look for is whether your chosen containment increases the dog’s chances of surviving a crash.

Durable Dog Crates Are a Dog’s Home Away from Home

Many owners underestimate the role that a crate can play in keeping a dog relaxed and comfortable. Dogs trained in crates from a young age will be acclimated to crate travel more easily. Because crates are an effective form of temporary shelter, they are perfect for long road trips as long as your dog has the opportunity to get out of the car for a few minutes.

Regardless of the road conditions, a crated dog inside a car is protected and at ease. Taking some time to get your four-legged buddy used to be inside a crate is ideal before heading out on a long trip. Dogs object to confinement on general principle, but the good news is that you can help the dog get used to crating, so be sure you know how to crate train a puppy so that they behave better as they grow into adult dogs.

What is the best way to train your dog for going on a more extended trip? Getting the best dog crate that’s durable and designed for travel is your most important step. A short local drive is a good idea before any long trips. Doing short drives three or four times weekly will help your dog get used to being driven while crated. 

After your dog has been on a few short trips while crated, you may want to try extending the time that you drive with your dog each time. Because dogs lack the concept of time that we have, they will not notice how long he is in the crate. Your dog will become more accustomed to the crate each time as he feels safe in his surroundings.

One of the things you can do to “sweeten” things for your dog is provided treats when he enters the crate without any fuss. When your dog gets used to getting treats after entering the crate, he will know that there’s a reward waiting. Dogs who are often hesitant to get in the car will get more comfortable if treats are involved.  

What Types of Crates Are Best for Car Trips?

Dog crates come in countless different styles. There are not only crates in various sizes but also in types suitable for different breeds and travel needs. For example, a German Shepherd will have different needs during travel than a Yorkie will. 

Regardless of its size, a dog should have enough room to stand up, turn around, and lie down. Using a crate large enough to accommodate a bed will often keep your dog happier during the trip. When the crate has a comfortable bed, your dog will see the crate as a “safe” place.

One helpful thing to remember is that most dogs’ experiences with being in cars involve trips to a vet or groomer. Because these do not usually trip that dogs enjoy, your dog might think he’s in for a bad experience. Associating car trips with something other than a vet or groomer helps dogs enjoy 

However, you want to avoid using a crate that is too big for your dog. Although being able to fit in a bed is helpful, there should not be so much space that your dog gets jostled around. Crates that are too large could result in your dog getting thrown to the front of the crate during an accident. 

However, the criteria for a crate used at home are somewhat different from crates used for travel. A crate used in a car requires flexibility while also being stable [1]. Although soft-sided crates aren’t usually the best for car rides, the crate that you use needs to allow enough flexibility to get in and out of the vehicle easily.

Crates need to be able to withstand the impact involved with a crash. Poorly-constructed crates can collapse and injure the dog. Another possible concern is that he might escape, getting lost in an unfamiliar area. Make the dog crate escape proof.

The inside of the crate should have or easily accommodate a safety harness. When keeping a dog confined in a crate for a car trip, a harness is safer than a tether that attaches to the collar. A leash or tether attached to a collar could cause whiplash or worse injuries during a crash.

The safest, most durable material for a crate used in a car is molded polyethylene, constructed from a single piece. Ideally, the crate brand that you choose should have a solid crash-test rating. Lastly, you will want to make sure the crate offers decent ventilation, so your dog gets plenty of air.  

How to Secure a Travel Crate for Dogs

When you get the best dog travel crate and have gotten your dog used to traveling in it, you will need to know how to secure it inside the car. Cloth seat belt safety straps are something important that you will need to buy. Vehicles that lack these types of safety straps usually have tie-down holes or metal brackets. The straps or brackets will play a vital role in keeping the crate where it is supposed to be.

Putting the empty crate inside your car is the next step to take. Although you can safely fit a small crate in the back seat for a smaller dog, large crates will need to be in the cargo area. Crates should never be placed in the front seat because of the risk from the airbag.

If using a small dog crate, the car’s seatbelt should be sufficient. If placed lengthwise on the car’s backseat, the crate should stay secure. The shoulder harness or seat belts should fit through the crate’s safety straps easily. Pulling and tightening the belt until you hear a click ensures its security. You can make sure that the belt is tight by giving it a pull.

Repositioning the dog travel crate is necessary if you lack seatbelt access. The floor of the cargo area is the safest place in these circumstances. A blanket or rug will help keep the floor non-slip if the floor lacks rubber mats for better traction.

The right front area of the crate is the right place for the metal hook on the tie-down strap to go. All four corners of the base on the crate usually have visible holes to make this process easier. This tie-down strap can also easily reach the crate’s top if that is a better location to use.

Repeating the process for hooking up the strap on the crate’s left side will complete the process. If done correctly, the crate will stay safely on the floor. Your dog will appreciate having its crate stay secure.

Related Articles:

• How To Fold A Dog Crate (3 Steps)
• How To Make A Dog Crate Divider

FAQs

1. How do you keep a dog crate from moving in the car?

To keep a dog crate from moving in the car, you need to secure it using the seatbelt or tie-down straps, depending on the location. The crate should stay in place even if you come to a quick stop or make a sharp turn. If you notice the crate doing any sliding, you may need to readjust the straps or seatbelt.  

2. Where do you put a dog crate in a car?

A dog crate should always go in the backseat or cargo area for greater protection in an impact. Another advantage of having your dog riding in the back is not being in the path of the airbag. Floors are always better locations for crates than seats because the crates cannot tip over as easily.  

3. How do you secure a dog carrier in a car?

You can secure a dog carrier in a car using your seatbelt or a tie-down strap. When securing the crate, it is essential to make sure the belt or strap goes all the way through the safety straps on the crate without any problems. A secure connection will help ensure that the crate stays in place.

4. How do you secure a dog crate?

You secure a dog crate by placing it in a safe location in the car, using the seatbelt or a tie-down strap to keep the crate from shifting. When you have the crate in the car, it’s essential to keep it from moving around and tipping, which makes a cargo area floor one of the safest spots. Keeping the crate away from the airbag in case it deploys is also essential.