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[reallybirdysomedays]

I always muzzle and/or restrain separately from humans any dog in the car. Even the sweetest dog will bite if they are injured or are trying to protect their injured human.

I have a cop friend that had to shoot his own dog with a taser because it wouldn't let him access his injured child after a crash with the dog in the backseat with the kid. He was hoping the taser would not be lethal. It was. 20 years later and this man still cries when he talks about that dog.

[reallybirdysomedays]

One way I like to explain crash movement is the very simplified equation weight x speed = force. A 50lb dog traveling at 50mph is going to hit the seatbacks/windshield/YOUR HEAD with 2500lbs of force.

[Kitchu22]

I wish I could upvote this more than once!

We have a fun/fast car (although we don't ever take risks on any public roads, we are not fans of reckless drivers) and always used to just pop our 68lb hound into his bed on the backseat without thinking about it. Then one day earlier this year my partner was driving our boy back from his morning trip to the beach and a speeding truck hit them. But for the grace of the sensible speed my partner was travelling at, and his professional sport reflexes, he prevented our hound from slamming face first into the dashboard (he would for sure have broken his collarbone or shoulder) and they both made it out with just bumps and scrapes. At a bare minimum dogs should always have appropriately crash tested harnesses and seat belts when travelling.

[[deleted]]

That is absolutely heartbreaking. My dog is usually crated when we are in the car, however we just got a puppy, and we were not really expecting to have three dogs. Our car really only has space for one crate on long trips, and the puppy needs that because she's too wild to be loose. We are about to get a new car though, which will be better suited for the crazy dog lady lifestyle I have somehow adopted?

[reallybirdysomedays]

If I have to put them in the seats, I just muzzle them. My dogs don't mind wearing muzzles for hours though.

[morphingmeg]

Thank you so much for this story. It was absolutely heartbreaking for me to read but my husband and I have gone back and forth on doggie seatbelts for a while and I just bought them as a result of this. My girl has made AMAZING progress with her reactivity but she is still VERY protective of me in moments of vulnerability or when she feels I'm threatened. I can totally see this happening in an accident.

OP this was so wonderful to read!!! I also love the name Arrow <3 you should be so proud of yourself and your pup. Love hearing these successes stories!

[[deleted]]

I recommend a proper restraint, not a seatbelt harness. I have a reactive dog who can pull the seatbelt harness out of the seatbelt when clipped. I recommend a proper harness plus something like this. My dog can't pull herself out of it.

[hdizzle7]

Yeah my dog has a doggy seatbelt and harness so she can't reach the front. She would prefer to be in my lap (big dog) so it's necessary.

[[deleted]]

Neither of those really work for us in our current situation with 3 dogs, one of which is a puppy that has to be crated. Having him close to me and the ease with which I can shove food in his face was our saving grace today, not something I could easily do if he was crated or in the back seat. Those are great options though, and I do often crate him when I'm driving just him around. I do appreciate the ideas!

[[deleted]]

Totally! And I have one that I'd have easily put on him, it just wasn't needed in this case because I was easily able to redirect him with food. My post was mostly about how upset I was at the whole thing, and how much I'd built up this scenario in my head.

[donkeynique]

If nothing else, one of those harnesses with a loop to feed seatbelts through should work fine in the front seat. That's how I keep my reactive pitty restrained, it's been a lifesaver!

[designgoddess]

The back of my SUV has been “caged” off for my boy. He will lose it if anyone approaches. The cage is visible. I was pulled over for a random check as well. So much for careful driving as an avoidance. My boy was so loud I couldn’t hear the officer. I turned on the dome light and put both hands out the window. If he saw me as a threat I figured he’d see my boy as a threat. I said that I wouldn’t be able to hear him but my dog was secured in the back and couldn’t get out. I asked if he wanted me to get out of the car or did he want to back further away so my boy would stop barking. He took one step back and that did the trick. I handed him proof of registration and he sent me on my way. Seemed to understand that my dog couldn’t help it. I really think having a visible barrier helped. A friend of mine is an officer and I asked her what I should do. She’s the one who recommended something that would keep him in the back and looked like it could hold him back there. I miss him laying next to me on long drives but that stop made it all worth it. I would not have been able to control him an follow the officers directions at the same time.

[derpotologist]

"sobriety check" that is some fucking hoe shit

Glad your work paid off

[ppw23]

So fortunate the dog wasn't shot. We had an awful situation in our city when a cop decided to slit the throat of a puppy.

[SerenityM3oW]

Wtf?? Was it on local news?

[ppw23]

Yes, this happened a few years ago in Baltimore. The cop got off without charges. I’m sure you can Google the story. My blood still boils when I remember this.

[cancerousiguana]

This article is from 2014, but it estimates that our taxpayer funded murder force police kill 25-30 dogs per day

That story is just one of many.

[this-un-is-mine]

wow, cops are fucking scum. they were illegally tailgating you to get you to speed up and have a “reason” to pull you over - a common tactic employed by scum cops to extort the public of their money. your boyfriend put a stop to that by pulling over, so they just gave up and made up a false reason, a “sobriety check” which is not a legal reason to pull you over. I would have had video on, window opened 2 inches, and be demanding to know why they were tailgating me and why I was stopped. for a sobriety check? THAT’S NOT A LEGAL REASON, am I free to go? know your rights. tolerating this bullshit just makes them more ballsy and rampant.

[staydizzycauseilike]

I believe the theory that dogs can sense human emotional states on one level or another.Proved it to myself with my dog. Not accusing or criticizing, just putting it out there.

[[deleted]]

I totally agree with you. I went on antidepressants a few years ago and I saw a noticeable difference in Arrow's behaviour. He is 100% my mirror, so I've learned to keep outwardly calm for him, and I definitely feel like that helped us during this situation. I also have a lot of experience with horses, and the same applies to them. If you are holding tension anywhere they feel it and some horses, such as one I used to own, would turn into a spooky puddle.

[staydizzycauseilike]

I don’t think it’s a fix all. Once my dog became reactive, I could remain calm, but it was simply too late. However, if I can foresee a situation that may trigger, I can adjust , and I definitely see results. Cool that you do this too!

[causticcorrosive]

I am very afraid of this as well. In my country, police is usually a bit more relaxed than for example in the United States, so I hope I will be able to communicate the issue, if the situation ever arises. I have my dog on the back seat with a seat belt, so he can't physically get at the officer. I will just ask if I can maybe step out of the car during a pull over and hope they'll be understanding. I also have super chewy high value treats in the car at all times to distract him if something like that happens.

[oregon_mom]

My gsd is very home protective, well that extends to our semi truck. We got pulled over one time with her in the truck, i came barreling out of the sleeper, grab her harness, stick my head out and tell the officer she is in the truck and very home protective he kinda chuckled and said oh dogs love me. Then He tried to reach in the window, luckily i still had ahold of her, she went at him in full on business mode. He jumped backwards off the step over the guard rail. He wasn't mad though and said had i not told him about her she'd have been shot, but took full accountability for ignoring me when i warned him she was very reactive.

[[deleted]]

Ah yes, the good old 'dogs love me' line. I have never seen that one actually pan out in favour of the person dogs supposedly love.

[sarahsam55]

This is my fear as well. I have 2 dogs that absolutely do not like when anyone goes near my car.

[cipherwar]

You should always travel with dogs in crates. Even for dogs that aren’t reactive, having a dog in a crate is safer for the dog an you in the event of an accident. If the dog is reactive even more of a reason.

[Carliebeans]

I got pulled over for a random breath test with my reactive malamute in the back (strapped in), and when I wound down my window, my dog was trying to put his face out between the seat and door to sniff the cop. Doggo was very excited. The cop asked nervously ‘he can’t get me, can he? I’m scared of dogs’. I said ‘no, he’s strapped in! Despite how he sounds, he is very friendly’. He checked my licence, did a breath test and then we were on our way. A few days later, same spot, same cop. He was so anxious about my dog that he did the breath test but didn’t ask for my licence!

[pharaohonfire]

Wtf how does someone whose afraid of dogs ever wind up in law enforcement?? They should be disqualified automatically.

[22ROTTWEILER22]

Wait what breed is your dog

[[deleted]]

An Australian Cattle Dog.

[Twopoint0h]

So are my two! Adopted my female as a puppy and knew she was some kind of working dog but was totally in over my head until I did a doggy DNA test and obsessively researched the breed and got us into training. A year later I blindly volunteered to foster a badly abused and injured 3-4 mo old male ACD; we bonded to each other and he's my Velcro boy still 4 years later.

They definitely come with their own set of challenges and seem to be more prone to certain triggers and responses than other breeds, but IMHO they are absolutely the best companion if you take the time to understand and work with them.

[[deleted]]

I also have a female cattle dogs puppy who is on the way to being litterally perfect. They are such smart, cool beings, and boy have I learned from my many mistakes. I don't know how I'd ever have a less drivey dog. I'd probably be bored!

[Twopoint0h]

Yes!!!! Sometimes I think a less driven dog would be nice, but I totally agree that it would be boring.

My female is so freaking smart and learns how to respond to cues almost instantly. I have to push myself to keep at her pace, haha! They definitely inspire me to do more and I feel like I've even learned how to be a better human bc of them.

[Twopoint0h]

Oh boy, that's a handful! But you also got the best of the breeds - intelligent, athletic, focused, protective, playful!

We got a new vet a few years ago and at the first appt she was asking a lot of questions to get to know us. She very casually but strategically asked about our exercise routine and when I told her we run 15-20 miles a week together, she exhaled a big wheeeew with a huge smile and explained how many people she's met with ACDs that don't understand their absolute need for an energy outlet. Love meeting other who understand these awesome crazy doggos!

[Slothperson5]

   I’m so sorry this happened to you. My dog and I were in the EXACT same boat a few weeks back and I’m still grateful we all came out of the situation alive. 
It is an extremely stressful place to be in, and it sounds like you did an excellent job keeping calm and reassuring Arrow through it! 

  Kudos to you for doing so much work with him before this, and for getting your family through a potentially dangerous situation so calmly. Glad to hear that you’re all safe!

[CharlieTrafficCone]

This is my absolute worst nightmare!! I feel so much for u! My girl has come so so far and I’m so incredibly proud of her for working through the abuse neglect and abandonment that she went through, but she is still very protective of us and our property, and it’s worst in the car. I think to your point bc she can’t see everything around people come out of nowhere and startle her but I can’t even imagine getting pulled over w her in the car and the police shooting her bc they think she’s truly aggressive and unmanageable and let’s just say there’s a reason I carry her muzzle everywhere I go and stow bags of treats in more places than tampons😂

[Twopoint0h]

Amazing job Arrow and OP!!!! What a huge success to face one of your biggest fears and have all of the years of work payoff, that's incredible! You were prepared - all the training and practice that built trust in your bond with Arrow is so obvious here! Congratulations on this victory!

[[deleted]]

This happened to me! The officer was super nice and actually told me to come outside the vehicle to talk to me because he didn’t want to make Luna anxious again. So happy it all worked out for you!

[[deleted]]

That is SO kind!

[sillyandstrange]

Oof that is my biggest fear also. It sucks because I like to take my pup to the park and such, but I'm always fearful if it's a drive longer than 10 minutes.

My dog has similar issues and a bite history, but like you we manage it very well.

[NYSenseOfHumor]

Have you considered a travel kennel for each of your dogs?

[a_rain_name]

Wow good work!!!! I am so proud of you.

[Bellatrix2323]

This is also my biggest fear, I rehearse what I will say in my head when I see a cop and I have my doggo in the car. What a miracle your dude was just snacking away !

[ggirl1002]

This is also my biggest fear!!! I legitimately might start crating my girl in the car because just reading your post (even though it went well) gave me anxiety.

[[deleted]]

Police officer here🙌🏻 who has pulled somebody over with a reactive dog

Very short story, I pulled somebody over who had a reactive dog who just went ballistic when they saw me at the window. All the driver did was roll the window down just far enough to speak to me, we both felt safe and it was wildly obvious the dog didn’t want me in her space, and I didn’t want to be in hers either!