5 Tips For Finding The Perfect Motorcycle Dog Carrier

Last Updated: 11 months ago

A motorcycle dog carrier is an important accessory to have if you plan to take your dog on motorcycle trips with you.

Motorcycles are one of the more dangerous travel options so you have to take extra precautions to make sure you get a dog carrier that is safe and perfectly suited to your dog. In this quick guide, you‘ll get 5 tips to help you find the perfect motorcycle dog carrier.

#1 Look For Sturdy Material

Look For Sturdy Material

A dog carrier for a motorcycle should have a rigid frame and structure that is dent resistant and will provide as much protection as possible for your dog in the event of an accident.

don’t want something flimsy or malleable because this will do little to protect your dog from injury.

#2 Get The Right Size For Your Dog

Get The Right Size For Your Dog

If your dog is on the smaller side, you need a small dog carrier for a motorcycle. That’s because they shouldn’t have a whole lot of extra room to move around. You want them to stay securely in place.

However, if you have a puppy that will eventually grow up to be much larger, you might consider getting a large dog carrier for a motorcycle now and letting your dog grow into it. This is better than buying a cheaper small one for your dog while it’s a puppy.

It’s better to invest in the highest possible quality so that you can provide as much safety and protection for your dog as possible.

Many carriers for medium to large breeds are built with an open top design. This does not provide as much security as a closed carrier that keeps your dog completely contained. But it’s not entirely out of the question either.

For an open top design, you’ll just need some extra gear such as the dog carrier harness discussed in the next section below. You should also consider a helmet and goggles for your dog if their head and face will be exposed to the elements.

These will provide some extra protection to their head and face area in the event of an accident. And it will also keep bugs and debris from flying into their eyes and nose.

If you are thinking of going with an open design like this, you definitely need to make sure your dog has the temperament to handle it. If they are easily frightened, this amount of exposure while on a motorcycle could be too much for them.

On the other hand, some dogs are more frightened by the thought of being contained in a carrier. In those cases, an open top design could be more comfortable for them. Get to know your dog before you settle on a design.

#3 Get The Right Design For Your Dog

Get The Right Design For Your Dog

If you can’t find a good dog carrier for your dog or you get one with an open top design and worry your dog might try to get out, you can get a motorcycle dog carrier harness. This is a harness that wraps around your dog.

It can either be hooked up to an open top dog carrier or it can be strapped to you so that your dog is securely held in place. This is a good option to further prevent your dog from moving around and shifting the weight balance on your motorcycle.

Too much shifting around can throw you off balance and that can be dangerous for both you and your dog. So if your dog seems anxious or unable to sit still, a dog harness can provide a much needed added measure of security.

#4 Make Sure Your Dog Is Comfortable With The Dog Motorcycle Carrier

Make Sure Your Dog Is Comfortable With The Dog Motorcycle Carrier

Even with the best motorcycle dog carrier, you will have limited success if your dog is too scared or stubborn to get into it. It is important to make sure they are familiar with the dog carrier for motorcycles so that they don’t try to escape from it while you are riding.

So before you even take your dog near the motorcycle, spend some time training them to sit inside of the new carrier so they get used to being in it. Make it a positive experience by rewarding your pooch with treats when he goes inside it.

You can also make this process easier by putting a familiar toy or one of your own T-shirts inside. The familiar scent will make your dog more willing to get inside the carrier.

#5 Make Sure Your Dog Is Comfortable With The Motorcycle

Make Sure Your Dog Is Comfortable With The Motorcycle

A motorcycle can be loud and the vibrations of the engine are pretty intense. If your dog has never been on or near a motorcycle before, these things can be pretty scary for them.

So get your dog used to the motorcycle just like you got them used to the motorcycle dog carrier.

Get them in their carrier and mounted on the bike. Turn it on but stay parked. Give your dog a few minutes to get used to this.

Then spend a few days taking your dog on short drives around the block. As soon as they seem to be staying calm and relaxed during these short drives, you can start taking them on longer motorcycle trips.

Final Word

Motorcycles can be dangerous. This is especially true if your dog doesn’t have the right motorcycle dog carrier or isn’t properly trained to feel comfortable and relaxed while on a motorcycle.

You want to make sure that they can’t jump out while you are riding. And you want to make sure the carrier is sturdy enough to provide some protection in case of an accident.

So keep safety as your top priority and go find the perfect motorcycle dog carrier for your dog!

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