Freedom of the Road?

As I drive through our little rural community, it is a common occurrence to see a farm/ranch dog riding in the back of a truck, ears flapping in the breeze.  Admittedly, I have even allowed my dogs to ride in the back of my turck.  As I was growing up, I remember an uncle of mine whose dog went everywhere with him, riding on top of the cab of the truck.  My uncle even had a carpet installed on the roof of the truck so the dog could dig in for the trip down the road.  It always seemed the dog enjoyed it.  As a veterinarian, I cringe when I see this now.  Over the years I have tended to many farm dogs that have jumped out of a moving truck and broken legs, peeled skin from their bodies and even died from their injuries.

Dogs riding unsecured in the bed of a truck are at risk of injury if they should jump from the bed, or thrown from the truck due to sudden stops or accidents.  I have seen some owners tether their dogs in the bed with the belief that this is safer for their dog.  Tethered dogs risk tangling, choking or being drug or hung from the truck.

Many states have banned traveling with dogs in the truck bed or require they be secured.  How can you help protect your dog in the bed of your truck?  If you use a tether, be sure that it is short enough to keep the front and hind legs of the dog within the truck and supply your dog with a tractable surface to allow the dog to remain easily within the range of the tether while the truck is in  motion.  Dogs may be confined in a secure cage/kennel, but attention must be paid to ensure appropriate space to allow the dog to stand up and lie down, but not enough that the dog may be thrown from one side of the crate to the other.  Good ventilation and protection from the elements should also be considered as you purchase a kennel for your dog.  Enclosures in the truck bed may accumulate toxic carbon monoxide and also work as an 'oven' on hot days.

If your dog rides in the cab with you,  your dog is subject to the same risks as a human passenger.  A safety harness can limit your dog's ability to distract or interfere with the driver and may minimize injuries to both in the even of an accident.

Please be aware of your dog's safety as  you travel.