Dog carrier: types, purpose, how to choose and where to buy

Special soft bags for small dogs

Bags come in different sizes, shapes, designs and colors. Some are even made to be insulated to keep your little dog from freezing outside on a cold winter day. Manufacturers of pet accessories offer such a variety of bags. And you can choose any option depending on what you are going to do. Just travel with your dog on public transport or take it with you in such a bag to a social event.

Backpack carrier for dogs

Backpacks are good if you like an active lifestyle - hiking, cycling. If your furry little one is tired of running after you, then you can safely put him in a backpack so that he can rest and catch his breath. But do not forget that the four-legged animal should not remain in the backpack for a long time. Despite the positive aspects, it still has negative aspects: the backpack is designed only for a sitting position. There are two types of backpacks: open and closed. The open model has holes for the paws, while in the closed model the pet is completely inside. When choosing a backpack, you should pay special attention to the quality of the material and the strength of the fittings.

How to choose a carrier and train your dog to use it

Choosing a carrier for a dog In the fifth issue, in the “Question and Answer” section, there was an article about how to choose a carrier for a cat. How to choose a carrier for a dog and how to accustom your pet to it? Olya Konovalchik

The main thing is comfort. In fact, the criteria for selecting carriers for dogs and cats are no different. Pets should be comfortable inside. This means that the bottom of the product must have a rigid base so that the dog can stand confidently. But it is desirable that the floor be soft from the inside. It is important that the carrier does not have an unpleasant chemical odor that can alarm or poison the pet. Dogs are more active than cats. It is important to make sure that the carrier is not too tight for your pet, especially if he has a restless nature. The dog must be able to lie down, stand, sit, turn around and wag its tail. It is also desirable that the carrier has a lot of windows.

Note! Ideally, you should have several carriers for different times of the year. In hot weather, you should not choose plastic carriers - the dog will feel very stuffy in them. This can lead to dehydration and heatstroke. In winter, the carrier should be insulated. You can pick up a winter carrier at a pet store or insulate a summer model yourself.

Cleanliness and order The most convenient bag to use is a bag with a non-marking outer surface of a dark color. You can put it on the asphalt at any time without fear that the dust will be too noticeable. The plastic carrier is easy to wipe clean from dust and dirt. With fabric it is more difficult in this regard. Therefore, you need to choose models that can be washed or wet cleaned outside and inside. Some very active dogs love to play inside carriers and tear them with their paws and teeth. So make sure before purchasing that the fabric is durable on the inside and the seams are well stitched.

By the way, if you choose a carrier for a puppy, then buy a model for growth, so that it is more economical. Otherwise, when the pet grows up, it will not fit into its former “house”.

Convenient little things It’s good if the carrier you choose has three straps: two short ones for carrying it in your hands, like a regular bag, and one long one, allowing you to hold it on your shoulder. Belts should be strong and wide. In places where the belt comes into contact with the arm and shoulder, there should be a softening lining. Some carriers have a carabiner to secure your pet using a leash by the collar to the carrier. This can be useful if the dog gets very scared of something and tries to fight. The carabiner is also very useful if your animal is too active. The main thing is to choose the right leash. Its length must be at least 15 cm, otherwise it will restrict the dog’s movements. Some carriers are equipped with an external pocket. There, during the trip, you can keep all sorts of little things like a leash, muzzle, toys and documents, or your dog’s prescriptions. But you shouldn’t put treats and food there. This will only distract and tease the dog on the road.

Only for babies Most commercially available carriers are designed for small and decorative dogs. As a rule, they are made of durable fabric, leather or plastic. But there are models for large animals too. Among them: tent bags and travel bags on wheels, as well as cages. They are not suitable for hand carrying. They are used during long journeys and when traveling on trains or planes.

Getting used to being carried To get your pet used to being carried, you need bedding where the animal usually rests and a treat to encourage it to follow commands. To begin, place the bedding separately from the carrier and command your pet to lie down on it. You can leave a treat on the mat if the dog doesn’t want to go to it just like that. When your pet can easily follow this command, you should move the bedding inside the carrier. Now follow the same pattern: a command to take a seat and reward if the dog climbs inside the carrier. Then command the dog to stay inside. You can give her treats from time to time while she is on the bedding in her carrier. With each training session, the time spent in the “house” must be increased. At the end of the training, be sure to command the dog to get out of the carrier. Don't forget to give her a treat for following the command correctly. If she stays inside, lure her out with a piece of food. When the dog learns to climb in and out of the carrier on command, you can teach him to move in a bag. To begin, simply lift the pet sitting inside and reward it with a treat. If the dog is not afraid, move the bag with it to another room. Don't forget to feed your dog treats during this training session. If everything is done correctly, your pet will soon enjoy being in the carrier and will happily climb inside on his own.

Soft carry

With such carriers, you can not only safely transport your dog on the subway or travel by car. You will also have access to air travel with your pet. Of course, if you have a small dog and, in accordance with all airline requirements, you can easily enter the aircraft cabin. Precisely in the airplane cabin, since no one will let you into the luggage compartment with such a carrier. It is not safe for transportation in the luggage compartment. Read about container requirements for air transportation.

Types of carriers

Carrying bags.

The convenience of such bags is that they are light, have a pair of handles, and this allows you to carry such a bag either in your hands or by throwing a harness over your shoulder. In the case when you are not planning a trip, such a bag can be rolled up quite compactly, and it will not take up much space, and it can also be washed, which is also very important. This type of carrier is suitable for cats and small breed dogs.

Trolley bags.

This type of carrier is equipped with convenient wheels for transportation on asphalt, and it can also be used as a shoulder bag, backpack, or fastened in a car as a car seat. When folded, this carrier does not take up much storage space. Easy to clean. Suitable for transporting cats and small breed dogs.

Kangaroo backpacks.

A lightweight and stylish carrier that allows you to carry your pet while keeping your hands free. Suitable for transporting cats and small breed dogs.

A soft backpack with wide straps that does not rub your shoulders or put pressure on you. The length of the straps can be adjusted. At the same time, the animal feels very comfortable in such a carrier.

Containers.

They come in plastic and metal. Such containers are convenient for the animal (the pet feels protected in them), and for you, because they can be washed, you can (and should) lay bedding on the bottom, and, if necessary, put a bowl of water and food. This type of carrier has many modifications, so it is suitable for most types of animals.

Metal cages for transporting dogs

Cages are mainly used for transporting large animals. They have different sizes and shapes. In such cages you can transport your pet both on an airplane and in a car. In addition, cages are used to keep dogs in a house or apartment. Moreover, the manufacturers made a smart move by starting to produce cells of different shapes. Now the cage can be easily matched to a specific hatchback trunk.

A dog carrier is one of the most important purchases for a dog owner, since the health and safety of your pet primarily depends on its reliability.

Tips for choosing a carrier

When choosing a model, be guided by the purposes for which the carrying is needed. So, if your pet is preparing for a long trip, you need to take care of its comfort. The dog should be comfortable in any position: sitting, lying, standing.

Among the important requirements:

correctly selected carrying size;
adequate ventilation;
good overview for the pet;
durable locks and handles;
waterproof base;
warm bedding mat.

The best option for road and train trips would be a bag with a folding metal frame, presented on the GiGwi website. It allows air to pass through well, gives the pet a good view from all sides of the product, is equipped with elongated handles and a pocket in which you can place necessary things.

Carriers for the cold season are available for sale. Winter models are insulated with padding polyester and made of windproof and waterproof material. Summer options are made from lightweight hypoallergenic fabrics. During warm periods, you can use plastic containers equipped with ventilation windows and holes.

There are general requirements for choosing a safe carrier for your dog:

the product must be made from a material that is safe for the pet’s health;
fabric bags should be washed well and dry quickly, plastic and metal bags should be cleaned and washed;
products must be equipped with durable fittings (fasteners, handles, locks, belts).

The carrier must be chosen not only by size, but also by the character of the pet. If your dog cannot sit still and is an inquisitive creature, a bag with a hole for the head will be suitable for him. Fidgety little ones should choose a more spacious carrier. To transport large dogs, you should buy models with wheels.

A carrier is needed if you often travel with your pet or go to the countryside. It will provide him with comfort and safety on any trip.

How to prepare your pet for a new accessory? Please note that it will take time for your dog to get used to the confined space. When you bring the carrier home, place it in a visible place. If the dog does not want to climb into the container himself, put his personal toy or some tidbit there. When he gets used to the new thing and stops being scared, he will climb in there himself.

Things like baby carriers should not be borrowed from friends. Your four-legged friend will still sense the presence of a strange dog and get nervous, no matter how hard you try to remove the smell.