Does your dog love travelling in the car? Do they immediately settle down and snore for the entire journey? Or are they nervous or apprehensive about getting into the car? Do they show signs of anxiety and sit on high alert? Or do they suffer from motion sickness? We know that not all dogs are happy passengers but we do everything we can to ensure that all our dog transit boxes provide a space in which dogs feel comfortable and relaxed.
Comfort is built in to Lintran dog boxes
We all know that dogs can quickly overheat in vehicles, particularly in the summer months and especially when left in a stationary vehicle. But even when driving for several hours with the aircon blasting, you’ll want to do everything you can to give your dog a comfortable journey. That’s why Lintran dog transit boxes are made from white polypropylene. White may seem counterintuitive – after all, dogs can get pretty mucky – but white reflects the sun’s UVA rays, which means that there is no risk of the interior space becoming hot. Temperature tests show that a Lintran dog box left outside for hours in the sun can be 20° cooler than a dark coloured or metal dog box. It means that, even on the longest journey, your dog will not be panting or stressed.
The white interior also makes it a bright and welcoming space for the dog, with no scary dark shadows. We also maximise the entrances for a nice big opening, which helps to make the space look inviting to enter and reduces any risk of a dog feeling confined or faced with a threatening space.
On the road, there is nothing worse than taking a corner a little too fast or having to break suddenly and your dog losing balance or scrambling to stay in position when their nails have no purchase on a smooth surface. That’s why our dog boxes come fitted with an interior anti-slip rubber mat. Even if your dog is standing or sitting, they will still feel secure on their paws in the event of sharp braking.
Space, the final frontier
Making sure you have the right size box for your dog is critical. Too big and a small dog can be thrown around in the event of an emergency brake or, the one thing none of us ever wants to contemplate, a collision. Too small and a large dog will be very uncomfortable and, over time, may become reluctant – or even refuse – to go into the box. We always say that a dog should be able to stand up, sit, turn around and lie down in their box without any restriction.
Naturally, the question of size must be considered in conjunction with the size and available space of your vehicle. Use our vehicle finder to find compatible dog boxes for your vehicle and you can then check if the dimensions are compatible with your dog. If you have any concerns or queries, do please give us a call and we can advise.
If a ready-made box doesn’t seem to be the right solution, we can make a custom box that will be absolutely perfect – for your dog, your vehicle and you! Get in touch, give us your wish list and we’ll take it from there. Trust us, we’re pretty nifty at maximising space, even if you have a GSD and need to make sure you can still pack a week’s grocery shopping in the boot!
Remember to familiarise your dog with their new box
Once you have your new Lintran dog transit box, it’s over to you to familiarise your dog with their new space.
Even if they use a crate in the home or you’re upgrading from an existing travel crate, it’s a new experience for your dog. Before installing it in your vehicle, let your dog explore the box at its own pace. Reward every time they step inside. Pop favourite treats inside, add a favourite blanket or item of clothing that smells familiar so they feel reassured and gradually encourage them to stay inside and settle. When your dog is calm and happy inside, practice closing the doors. You may have to do this a few times, gradually increasing the length of time they spend in the box. Initially, you should stay in sight, before moving out of your dog’s view without any fear of panic. Lots of praise, lots of treats will make the experience positive and rewarding!
Once you put the box into your vehicle, go through the same motions again. The final few steps are to close the boot, start the engine and try a few very short trips before going any distance. Remember to reward at the end of a journey as well and you’ll have a very happy and relaxed pooch! A comfortable dog means a relaxed owner and, knowing your dog is secure in its Lintran dog transit box, you can focus on the driving.
Happy travels!