It’s that time of year when many of us are packing suitcases and heading
off on vacation, and with the increase of dog-friendly hotels and
accommodations, it’s even easier to bring your dog along. Have you
thought about your dog’s comfort during a long drive? What if they’re sick?
Do they need to be restrained? What if you’re stuck in traffic and they need
to relieve themselves? Being stuck in a car is hard for dogs. Long journeys
present a unique set of problems compared to brief trips to the park or vets.
If you’re going on holiday with your dog, read our essential guide to
traveling with your dog in the car.
Traveling with your dog in the car
If your dog won’t get in the car
We’ve had several dogs, all with varying reactions to cars. Some jump in
our car like it is second nature, others regard it as an instrument of torture
and wonder why we are subjecting them to such punishment.
If your dog won’t get in the car, you must desensitise them well before you
intend to travel.
Walk your dog around the car with the engine off and doors closed, making
no attempt to get them inside. Don’t pull them towards the car. Let them
investigate by themselves and reward them when they get close. Do this
several times every day until they are relaxed around it.
When they’re used to the car, open a door they’ll be climbing through or the
boot and repeat the above process until they’re fully relaxed.
Sit in the car, door open. Offer treats to encourage your dog to get closer.
Place treats inside the car, moving them further away to entice your dog
inside to get the treat.
Once your dog can enter and exit the car without stress, practice spending
time with them in the car, keeping the door or boot open. You can give
them a meaty bone or a nice massage, so they form a positive association
with the car.
When your dog is happy to sit with you for longer periods, close the doors
or boot for a few seconds, then minutes until your dog can sit happily in the
car with the doors shut.
Settle your dog with a treat, running the engine for a few seconds. Turn it
off and let your dog out of the car. Repeat this step, running the engine for
longer and longer periods.
Only once your dog is completely relaxed can you practice crating your dog
or putting on a harness for travel. Give them lots of fuss and nice treats to
emphasise the positive connection.
Try driving, taking it slowly and keeping trips short (up and down a street to
start with). Once your dog is familiar with driving, take them to places they’ll
love, such as the park or for enjoyable walks.
Now your dog is comfortable in the car you can plan for longer trips.
Research the route
It might be quicker and easier to use motorways, but not practical if you
need to pull over. Plan your route to include lots of regular stops so your
dog can get out in the fresh air and relieve itself. You should stop every 2-4
hours, depending on how far you’re going.
You must suitably restrain your dog in the car
The RAC tells us it’s against the law to drive with a dog loose in your car?
This is so they cannot distract you while you’re driving. If you have an
accident, you can face a fine of up to £5000 or the courts can charge you
with careless driving.
Types of dogs traveling restraints
Dog carriers might work for quick trips, but we don’t recommend them for
longer journeys.
Travel harnesses allow your dog to sit on the seats next to you, which can
help with nervous dogs. They’re easy to clip in and keep your dog secure.
If you use a crate at home, you might find your dog prefers this to a
harness. They’re already used to it, and it can settle anxious dogs.
Keep to your dog’s routine
Dogs love routine, and this applies when you’re traveling. For example, if
you always walk your dog at noon, stop the car on your journey at 12pm
and take your dog out for 15 to 30 minutes, then resume your journey.
Don’t feed your dog before traveling
A car’s motion can upset the most seasoned doggie traveler; however, you
can buy medication from your vet if your dog is prone to travel sickness. If
you don’t want to medicate your dog, try placing them facing forward so
they can look out the front window. This might mean you use a harness
instead of a crate. Dogs like to see where they’re going, not where they’re
coming from. And dogs that are prone to car sickness may benefit from
sitting on a car booster seat with the window open slightly.
Bring plenty of water and dry food
Make sure your dog has plenty of water to drink during the journey. We
recommend feeding a little dry food when you make a longer stop and
leaving it half an hour before setting off again.
Don’t let your dog hang its head out the window
The RAC advise their vets have ‘witnessed dogs suffer horrific injuries after
hitting a passing vehicle while hanging out of a car’. You must restrain your
dog so it cannot hang its head from car windows.
Keep the car cool and never leave your dog unattended
Of course, dogs need some air, so open the windows a little to allow a
breeze around the car. Or turn the AC on. You can also use car window
shades designed for babies and children to lower the temperature in the
car. Never leave your dog in a car, especially if it’s warm. Dogs sweat
differently to us and can overheat in minutes.
Can my dog travel in the front passenger seat?
Lone travelers like to have their dog up front and centre, but what does the
Highway Code advise? While it’s not illegal, experts advise dog owners
not to sit their dogs in the front passenger seat because of the airbags. You
can switch airbags off of course, but be mindful that you’ll have a lot to
remember (packing, the journey, etc.) and it’s easy to forget.
Finally, always make sure your dog is wearing an ID tag and is micro-
chipped. There’s nothing worse than a lost dog in unfamiliar surroundings
with no ID.
Highway code link - https://highwaycode.org.uk/rule-57/
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