Safety Tips for UTV Riding with Your Dog

Your dog can enjoy a fun trip on your side by side! Maybe you want to bring along your hunting buddy. Maybe you want to explore nature with your four-legged best friend. Whatever your motivation for bringing your furry pal along, you'll want to make sure your trip is safe and smooth. We rounded up the top strategies for successful UTV riding with your dog below. For all your side by side needs, visit Spicer's Boat City. We proudly serve all of Michigan including Bay City, Flint, and Detroit. 

Transporting Your Dog in Your UTV

It's never safe for a dog to freely wander around a side by side while it's in motion. He could interfere with your ability to safely steer, from trying to climb onto your lap to weaving about underneath your legs. He could injure himself by jumping or falling out of the moving vehicle. Either way, it's a dangerous situation.

It's best to transport your dog in your UTV with a crate. Tie downs can be used to secure the crate to the bed of your vehicle. This step is important since a loose crate can slip right off (even if you are going at slow speeds).

Don't forget to consider the weather and how it can affect your dog. If it's going to be cold, use a kennel cover to keep your dog warm. If it's going to be hot, check that there will be enough ventilation of fresh air. You don't want your poor pup stuck in a stuffy and increasingly hot environment.

Creating a Sense of Comfort

Traveling in a moving vehicle can be a scary experience for a dog. All of a sudden their whole world is moving and they have no clue why! You will want to build a sense of comfort with crate travel to ensure your dog has a positive experience which each UTV trip. 

First, you'll need to create familiarity with the crate. Put treats inside or play with a toy nearby to get her to see the crate as a positive thing. Then, you'll need to create familiarity with crate travel on the side by side. Start off traveling slow and on short trips. Slowly build up the length of the trip and the speed until you reach your normal journey levels.

Packing Your UTV

When you take your dog along on your side by side trip, you'll need to pack his supplies. Bring a water bowl so he can stay hydrated. You can save space with a collapsible bowl. Take a pet first aid kit so that you'll be able to address minor health issues.

Then there are items that aren't essential but can help boost the experience. If your dog wears an LED collar light, she will be easier to spot when the sun starts setting. Booties will protect her feet from the rugged land. Use a brush to easily remove stickers that attach themselves to her fur. Treats help reward good behavior on and off the side by side.

For all your UTV needs, visit Spicer's Boat City. We offer a range of new and used UTVs for sale if you are looking to buy. We carry inventory that meet a variety of budgets and riding abilities. Our friendly staff can help you find that perfect model for your needs. We also operate parts replacement and repair options to get your current vehicle running like new. Whatever you need, you can find it with us! We proudly serve all of Michigan including Bay City, Flint, and Detroit.