The Dog is Fine ... But Beware of the Driver!

At PetLynx, our goal is to help get (and keep) pets HomeSafe ... and we were surprised to learn that a recent study revealed that 2/3 of dog owners admit to engaging in distracting activities with their dogs while driving!

Dogs are wonderful companions and can be fun to bring along for a car ride. However, this can mean added distractions for the driver. A recent survey conducted by the American Auto Association (AAA) asked dog owners how often they drive with their dog and about their habits behind the wheel.

The survey found that drivers not only love to bring Fido along, but they also often engage in risky behaviors when man's best friend is along for the ride.

Connect with your community using our Dog-Friendly Educational Guides

The Canadian Kennel Club  Responsible Dog Ownership Committee has created, and made available to its members, a series of comprehensive educational guides designed to help dog owners integrate their pets within the local community.

The Dog-Friendly booklets cover a variety of topics, including:

Dogs Drive Car Buying Decisions

North Americans' insatiable appetite to shower their beloved pets with accessories at home is now transitioning into the automobile. LeaseTrader.com, the nation’s most popular online car lease swap marketplace, reports a 67 percent increase in the number of customers who shop for a vehicle with pet needs in mind – an increase from 24 percent three years earlier.

But pet lovers today need to satisfy their desire for pet friendly features along with economic realities. Increasingly, LeaseTrader.com customers are trading large SUV leases in favor of smaller, more budget- conscious vehicles still considered pet-friendly. Since the beginning of 2008, LeaseTrader.com has seen this trend double and expects to see continued growth in this area.

“Hatchbacks and station wagons are filling the needs of pet owners looking for a little extra sportiness and space to fit the family pet,” says Gina Spadafori, Executive Editor of petconnection.com and dogcars.com. “The ability of the car industry to identify the needs of this growing subculture shows a new-found commitment to innovation and customer demand.”