These tips can help you keep your dog safe when riding in cars.

Most dogs love to ride in cars. Here are five suggestions on how to keep them safe while driving from certified animal behavior consultant and pet care author Amy Shojai on the retailer website PetCareRx.

Back seat riders -- The best place for your dog to ride is the back seat. Riding on your lap or the passenger’s lap may seem cute but is dangerous for both you and your dog. A front seat dog can distract the driver and potentially cause an accident. A fender bender that doesn’t hurt you can still cause the air bag to deploy. Air bags can crush pets in the front seat even if they’re inside a carrier.

Keep them contained -- Small dogs are best protected when inside a pet carrier. That keeps them from running from the back seat to the front or interfering with the brake or gas pedals. For dogs that are nervous, this also keeps them from howling in your ear or climbing in your face as you drive. Should the worst happen in an accident, containing your dog inside a carrier helps ensure they won’t be lost or end up as projectiles through the windshield.

Buy a barrier -- Some cars can’t accommodate a big enough crate to contain large dogs. You can install pet barriers that separate the front seat from the back. These come as adjustable metal bars or grates or as canvas slings that double as comfy travel beds for big dogs.

Belt your dog in -- You can find canine seat belts that attach to the dog’s harness. That’s very helpful for large dogs that don’t fit inside carriers or for cars that a barrier won’t fit. Seat belts also keep dogs inside the car when you open the door to load groceries or passengers so they don't dash off and become lost during rides.

Keep heads inside -- Dogs love sticking their heads out the windows. The rush of air that brings exciting smells along the way must be exhilarating. But that same wind can throw sand or other foreign matter into canine ears and eyes, and a window open too far tempts dogs to leap out. Keep dog’s heads inside the car to prevent injury.

For information on Amy Shojai's books click here.