Tag Archives: driving safely with pets

7 Tips That Will Help You Pass Your Smog Test

Your smog test can be just as daunting as taking your SATs if you are unprepared. If you don’t pass, you can’t keep legally driving your car and the repairs can get costly. This test ensures that your vehicle is not producing more than its’ share of emissions and that it is contributing to keeping the air as clean as possible. These following tips may just help increase your chances of passing when it comes time to have a Smog Test done. Investigate That Check Engine Light This is the biggest and easiest issue to avoid; if you go into your smog test with your engine light on, it’s an immediate fail. Simply get your vehicle diagnosed and resolve the issues to get one step closer to passing. Make Sure Your Tires are Properly Inflated To The Correct Tire Pressure Most states run a dynamometer test, which forces your car to run at high speeds while staying stationary. When your tires aren’t fully inflated, your engine must ... read more

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Preparing Fido for a Road Trip

Preparing Fido for a Road Trip

Preparing Fido for a road trip long trips can be stressful for both humans and pets alike so this week I want to give out some helpful and fun tips that will help make road tripping with man’s best friend a fun, safe, and hopefully a mess-free experience. To help prepare your fur kid I believe it is best to start with small trips to help your them acclimate to riding in the car. Start with small rides to the local dog park or local pet-friendly hiking areas. Sometimes going for a nice long walk or playing with your dog can help siphon off some of that nervousness. Especially if you have a high energy breed and it will also prevent accidents in the car. In my personal experience, my dog loves car rides. We have a blast on trips he is the best road companion ever. My 9-year-old Dachshund, Wally loves his car seat and basking in the California sun as we go on long drives. The only downfall is the nose art on my rear passenger side window. If you have a pet that doesn’t adjust ... read more

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Distracted Driving from Unrestrained Pets

With summer upon us, many of us are embarking on summer road trips and many of us will be taking along man’s best friend. Driving while being distracted by your pet is a very real threat to public safety, 30 % of people have admitted to being distracted by their pets while driving. In my personal experience, my mother and I were on vacation in Cambria, CA in 2005, while I was home from school for Christmas vacation. We were crossing the street at a corner in a crosswalk when a woman driving with a dog in her lap very nearly ran us over. It was one of the scariest experiences I have ever had in my life, my mom and I still talk about it. I personally didn’t even get my drivers license until I was in my mid to late '20s, but since adopting my dog nearly 6 years ago and purchasing my first vehicle this experience has stuck with me. While doing research for this blog I have found that 90% of pet owners admit to driving in their vehicle with their pet and that 98% of those pe ... read more