Rachel Rodgers

For some dogs, everything they can see from a car window can be exciting or very scary and needs to be barked at, while others can be very territorial about their owners’ cars.
Barking while travelling can actually be self-reinforcing for the dog: they see something that triggers the behaviour, they bark, then within a few seconds (because you have driven past the trigger) the cause of the barking disappears. In your dog’s head, the barking worked – it got rid of the thing or person that caused the barking, so the behaviour is reinforced, and is likely to recur. We need to change that belief by stopping the barking as soon as a dog starts to practice the behaviour. The longer a behaviour is practiced the more likely it is to become a habit, so stopping the behaviour is extremely important, because habits are very difficult to break.

Aggressive behaviour, while the car is stationary, would be very concerning, a danger to the public and leave you in breach of the Dangerous Dogs Act.  We would strongly recommend seeking the help of a behaviourist if your dog behaves in this manner.

The following strategies may help to stop your dog barking in the car:

Use a Crate

Firstly, if you don’t use a crash tested dog crate in your vehicle, please get one in order to protect your dog, yourself and your family in the event of an accident. Read more about the importance of using a crate here.  Crate training is an important strategy, even if your dog doesn’t use a crate in any other situation. If your dog is trained to settle in a crate indoors, they’re much more likely to settle in a crate in the car.

Cover the crate with a sheet or blanket

Covering the crate takes away most of the scary, exciting, or otherwise, triggers so that your dog is unable to see them. This will enable him to relax and settle much more easily. It has the added advantage of keeping the sun off the dog while travelling which can also help them to enjoy travelling and lower everyone’s stress levels.

Train Them to Settle with Treats

This should only be done when you’re stationary, or when you have a passenger to dispense the treats. Watch your dog closely so that you can try to anticipate what’s triggering the barking (passers-by getting too close, bicycles, other dogs?). This will help you quickly distract your dog with a small treat before they start barking. Over time, this will persuade them that the appearance of the trigger means that they will get a treat, both distracting them from the barking and creating a positive association with the subject. Over time, often a very short time, the dog learns that barking just isn’t needed.
Lots of tasty treats may be required for this type of training, so use treats that are very small but delicious. Chopped-up cheese or sausage works very well, cut into small pea-sized cubes.

Keep Your Dog Busy

Chew toys and long-lasting dog chews are great for keeping your dog occupied, whether they’re travelling or waiting in the car. Puzzle-style dog treat toys, which require your dog to put some thought and effort into reaching the tasty treats trapped inside, are particularly good for car journeys, as they hold your dog’s attention. Chewing and licking also bring the dog’s arousal levels down, further reducing the likelihood of the dog to reacting to anything outside the vehicle.

What If These Strategies Don’t Work?

If none of these strategies work, then seek advice from a dog behaviourist. They will be able to establish the cause of your dog’s barking and create an intervention plan that you can work on with your dog.

MIM Construction AB was founded to innovate, improve and excel in the safety sector.
For over 35 years under the MIMsafe brand, we’ve focused on pet safety—but always with human safety in mind too, which means the MIMsafe name is one you can trust.
We’ve designed, built and comprehensively tested the following series of safety products that have made our company stand out as a pioneer in this field.

Our Crash-Tested Car Crates, Keeping Dogs and Passengers Safer

MIMsafe has always worked closely with the automotive industry when designing our pet safety products for cars. Our range of dog crates has been developed in close collaboration with the major car manufacturers to ensure they perform reliably in the real cars that dog owners drive.
What’s more, we’re the only company that crash tests its crates in situ not just once, but hundreds of times, checking that the crate works correctly in conjunction with the vehicle crumple zone. While many manufacturers may claim their crates are crash-tested, this is usually limited testing and often restricted to the most common type of crash: a head-on collision. However, this kind of collision causes the least disturbance to a crate due to car safety measures, and different types of collision carry different risks.
During a rear-end collision, a crate may splinter, break the back window, pierce through the back seat and cause spinal injuries to a passenger, or impact a passenger’s head. In a rollover situation, a dog cage can be broken or come loose, breaking windows and injuring passengers. These crashes can all seriously injure your pet too or allow them to escape into traffic, where they may be fatally injured or cause further collisions.
This is why all our crates are tested with the crates in situ in the vehicle, in a range of collision scenarios—not just head-on crashes. The results help us refine our designs to ensure not just your pet’s safety, but that of you and your passengers too.

Our Vehicle-Specific Dog Guards, Keeping Passengers Safer

Some automotive manufacturers offer dog guards designed specifically for certain models that they manufacture. Naturally, these manufacturers want their dog guards to meet the same high safety and design standards as their vehicles. We’re proud that top automotive brands like VW, Hyundai, Kia and Mercedes have all chosen MIMsafe to design and produce the vehicle-specific dog guards used in their vehicles. It demonstrates their trust in our process and our products.

Our NewEra Clip, Keeping Horses and Riders Safer

The MIMsafe NewEra Clip may seem a bit of a departure. It’s not used in a car, or for transporting cats or dogs. In fact, this innovative horse and rider safety product came about due to the wife of our founder, Mats Björnetun. In response to her cross-country eventing interests, Mats started organising cross-country events on their property and then further afield. However, he soon realised more could and should be done to make the sport safer. With input from major eventing stars such as Mark Phillips and Hugh Thomas, and a crash expert from Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology, the MIMsafe Clip was invented.
These pioneering fixings protect both horses and riders from the dangers of rotational falls. They’re designed to instantly break if the horse hits the fence, dropping the fence instantaneously. The red MIMclip can be attached to fences such as oxers and gates, and there is now a yellow MIMclip for fences designed to be jumped at an angle, such as corners, and for tables.
An indicator shows when they require replacing, and this can be done in just 30 seconds.  The MIMclip not only contributes to the overall safety of the sport for both horses and riders but also guarantees fair and correct judging.
The MIMsafe NewEra Clip was the first cross-country jump safety fixing to pass the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI)’s new approvals scheme for frangible devices in Eventing. It was used at many equestrian events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and on 1st January 2021, it became mandatory on all compatible fences at FEI events.

Our Latest Innovation: the MIMsafe Roof Box

Once you have one of our dog crates in the boot of your car, where do you put the luggage that no longer fits? Our latest innovative product, the MIMsafe roof box, was designed to solve this problem.
After rigorous wind-tunnel testing, the unique design of our double-walled roof box is slick and aerodynamic. Yet it offers 10 cubic feet of storage space and can take loads up to 75 kg. It’s also crash-tested to a new, high standard. In testing at 50 km/h, at a crash pulse in accordance with the ECE R17 standard, it could withstand a force of up to 26g.
Our roof box also offers highly practical features such as:

• an internal, motion-activated light
• internal crash-tested load loops to secure luggage
• washable, durable hard-wearing mat that provides grip for the luggage
• a lock for security
• quick grip fastening for easy install on the roof rack
• TEAS locking system to hold the roof box firmly in place
• accessibility from both sides

We’re excited to venture into this area of automotive accessories and bring our stringent safety and practicality standards to a new product type.

Looking Forward

We’ve moved in to new, larger factory premises in Trollhättan, Sweden, due to increased demand, and we have many new products in development, so the future looks bright. At MIMsafe, we will continue to strive for excellence and innovation, always putting safety—for animals and their owners—first and foremost in our designs.

When we take our dogs out for the day or on holiday, we never quite know if they are going to get lost in an unfamiliar area, for instance, if they chase a rabbit and can’t find their way back to us.  Or if we are enjoying a family day out on the beach, it is very easy for dogs to slip away if they see someone playing with a ball or enjoying a barbeque.  Knowing what to do and acting IMMEDIATELY can make all the difference when your dog goes missing.  The following advice will tell you exactly what to do and what not to do.

The first thing to remember is that once your dog has been lost, he will be scared, anxious and extremely stressed. He may not run over to you as soon as he sees you and he may even run away if you run over to him. Instead, if you see him, don’t try to call, chase him, grab him or try to catch him. Instead, stay calm and quiet, sit or lay down, throw treats and wait for him to approach you. It can often take a long time but stick it out – he should approach eventually.

Your dog will usually try to return to where he last saw you or where the car is parked. Try and keep a family member that the dog knows well at both places. Quietly wait nearby, leave the car boot or back door open. Try to stop people from joining the search, walking about calling and shouting, making a lot of noise and leaving confusing scents. This will make things worse: it will scare him and he may go into hiding.

Report him missing as soon as possible, to the following organisations:

• Doglost: www.doglost.co.uk
• Call his microchip company to check your contact details are correct and to report him missing.
• Call the local vets and dog warden. You can look up the local council’s details here: www.gov.uk/check-council-missing-dog
• Local social media groups, such as village news pages – include a photo of the dog, the location in which he went missing from, 2 telephone numbers and ask people to call you straight away if they see him, and not to try and catch or chase your dog.

If you have sightings, take details of location, time, direction and behaviour. If the sighting was recent, a family member should go, leave food and walk around quietly. Again, don’t let lots of people go – just keep it to one of two people that the dog is familiar with. If the sighting was older or the dog was seen running away, put up posters in the area in case the dog returns.

Use posters! Get posters made up as quickly as possible, possibly by family or friends back at home and email them to you. Use a photocopying service to print them and get them out around the area in which he went missing. The poster must include:

• Clear photos
• Location missing from
• 2 telephone numbers
• A message asking people not to chase or try to catch the dog

Posters help to bring dogs home! For further information, please go to the Doglost website.

For many of us, our dogs are everything, and often come with us wherever we travel. We want to ensure that they stay safe as well as feeling secure and comfortable, so that, if the worst happens, and we are involved in an accident, our dogs are protected from injury or from escaping from the vehicle and running off into traffic.

Dog carriers for cars, particularly those that are crash tested, are a practical and indispensable solution for transporting dogs safely and comfortably, helping to make car travel enjoyable for both pets and their owners.

Dog carriers are usually built for very small dogs so that they can be carried in the carrier. Our dog carriers come in two different sizes and are suitable for very small breeds, such as Yorkshire terriers, papillons and chihuahuas. They are also ideal for cats, rabbits and other small animals.

Ensuring Safety and Security

MIMsafe Care2 pet carriers are the only dog carriers in the World that are tested to the same standards as baby seats. They are crush proof, are guaranteed for life, and are built with an aluminium frame and fully recyclable, non-toxic materials with reinforced, armoured doors that won’t open in the event of an accident. The carriers feature doors that lock at both end of the carrier and an inbuilt thermometer to monitor your pet’s temperature while travelling. Furthermore, the Care 2 dog carrier fits into any vehicle, with attachments that allow the carrier to be fitted securely in your vehicle using seat belts, just like a baby seat. In case of an accident or sudden braking, the carrier acts as a protective cocoon, reducing the chances of injury to the dog. With a Care2 carrier, pet owners can have peace of mind knowing their beloved companions are safe and secure throughout the journey.

Comfort and Stress Reduction

Ensuring that your dog is comfortable and relaxed is easy using a Care2 crate. Dogs love the enclosed feel, yet it is easy to see through the crate to ensure that your dog is safe. MIMsafe sell a range of mats and bedding and breathable materials to ensure a cosy and stress-free environment for dogs. The carriers offer ample space for small dogs and other pets to sit, lie down, and turn around comfortably. By creating a familiar and secure space, the carriers help alleviate anxiety and stress that dogs may experience during car travel. Care2 carriers have multiple windows that allow dogs to observe their surroundings, reducing boredom and providing mental stimulation throughout the journey. With a comfortable and stress-free environment, dogs are more likely to relax and enjoy the ride.

Home from home

If you travel regularly, then you will know how important it is that your dog is able to feel at home and relax in a range of different environments. Our Care2 crates can be used in all sorts of environments, from public transport, to use as a kennel in a hotel room, somewhere where very small dogs can retire to, and feel at home.
Our Care2 dog carriers are designed with convenience and versatility in mind featuring a handle for easy transportation outside the car, making visits to the veterinarian or other destinations hassle-free. With their versatility, dog carriers for cars offer a practical solution for both short trips and long journeys, ensuring that dogs are comfortable and secure wherever the road takes them.

Conclusion

Dog carriers for cars provide an indispensable solution for pet owners who wish to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of their canine companions during car travel. With their focus on safety, secure construction, comfort, and convenience, our Care2 pet carriers offer a reliable way to transport dogs while minimizing stress and distractions. Investing in a high-quality dog carrier not only enhances the travel experience for dogs but also provides peace of mind for their owners. So, whether it’s a visit to the park, a road trip, or a visit to the veterinarian, a dog carrier for cars is the perfect companion for safe and comfortable journeys with our beloved pets.