This Dog Has His Driver’s License, Does Yours?
Who would’ve thought an animal shelter housed three of the world’s most intelligent dogs? Meet Porter, Monty and Ginny, the first canines on the planet to drive a car. And they are quite a sight to see behind the wheel of a Mini Cooper.
For your viewing pleasure, here are clips of the dogs in action:
The story behind the trio is remarkable, to say the least. Surprisingly, they are among Auckland’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) population of rescue dogs. Not too shabby for a group of furry friends who were once abandoned, mistreated or discovered roaming the streets. They definitely prove that looks can be deceiving.
Project “Driving Dogs”
Unfortunately, there are thousands of dogs living in overcrowded animal shelters each day waiting for their chance to be adopted to a loving home. In an effort to raise awareness of this issue worldwide and boost adoption rates at animal shelters, the SPCA teamed up with MINI New Zealand to create this entertaining and amazing footage of three rescue dogs behind the wheel.
The training took eight weeks, and the live footage of Porter and Monty first appeared nationwide on Campbell Live in 2012. Since then, it has gone viral on YouTube and the web. Mission accomplished.
Should Dogs Be Able to Drive?
By now, you’re probably wondering if your dog has a chance at earning their doggy license. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the idea isn’t practical, even if you pack your bags and move to New Zealand. And, from the looks of the video, it may not be such a wise idea to place your dog behind the wheel if there are harsh road conditions, rush hour traffic, accidents or any other number of problems.
How Your Dog Should Be in the Car
If you reside in Hawaii, New Jersey or Rhode Island, restrictions are already in place regarding the way in which you’re allowed to transport your canine companion. In these three states, your dog cannot sit on your lap while you are driving, reports USA Today.
For all other states, here are a few tips for safe travels with your furry friend in tow from Cesars Way:
- Place your dog in a size-appropriate crate or restraining device.
- Take a break (or two) on longer rides so they can stretch, relieve themselves and enjoy the fresh air. You wouldn’t want to be cramped in a car for hours on end, and neither do they.
- Don’t forget to bring water and doggy treats. You especially want to reward your dog with treats if he or she is on their best behavior in the car.
- Avoid diving dog tendencies by shutting off power to electric windows so your dog won’t be tempted to take the plunge.
Don’t feel bummed because your dog can’t take the wheel. The future is bright, especially with driverless cars looming on the horizon.
What do you think of the legalization of dogs behind the wheel? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
