how to restrain a dog in the car

Start with a crash-tested harness and clip it to the seatbelt in the back seat; front seats plus airbags and dogs do not mix. Small to medium dogs travel best in a secured crate—strap it down using the seatbelt or cargo tie-downs so it doesn’t become a furry missile.

Wagons and SUVs? Fit a proper cargo barrier and use a short tether to keep Rover behind the line. Keep heads and paws inside the car, and stop every couple of hours for water and a stretch. Never leave a pet in a parked car—Aussie heat turns it into an oven faster than you can say “ute tray.” Laws vary by state and fines apply if a pet’s on your lap or unrestrained, so check local rules and grab decent restraints from reputable sellers like Tradingpost.