Top Tips: Training your dog to travel by car

It sounds pretty harsh but in fact it’s a simple solution. What you need to start doing is make your dog associate their time in your car, and in other cars as being a fun experience. This process is called desensitisation, and will work whether your dog gets scared, over hyper or sick when they get into a car. Once your dog realises that GOOD things happen when the get into a car, they should look forward to future car journeys.

As you will be driving in your car with your dog, you will need them to either become carrier trained or get them used to wearing a seat belt harness. Your dog must always be securely placed on the back seat of your car. A dog running loose in your car is not only dangerous for them but extremely dangerous for you.

NEVER place them on the passenger seat either. A dog can get crushed or suffocated if the safety air bag gets deployed. Always keep them on the back seat.

If your dog is big enough for a pet carrier but you do not use a pet stroller, you will have to train them to use a pet carrier before you begin the car training. Entice your dog into the carrier slowly with little treats and make the inside of the carrier as comfortable and pleasurable as possible. Place familiar objects inside the carrier like small toys, edible treats, kong puzzles that contain small treats and dog blankets. Even a piece of your clothing will help. You need to get them to feel safe inside the carrier before closing the door. Don’t ever rush this training. Take your time and be patient.

If your dog is already using a stroller that has a detachable carrier, all the better. Simply detach the carrier with them in it and place directly on the back seat.

If you have a large breed of dog then you need to attach a safety harness to the dog and the safety belt mechanism before you begin any of the car movement stages of the desensitisation process.

If you plan to use a stroller and also drive with your dog then a 3-in-1 stroller may be the best choice for you. These multi-functional strollers are perfect for the varied traveller and can put a dog more at ease when travelling by car. They will be already familiar with the ‘carrier’ section of the stroller, which can be simply detached from the stroller frame and placed on the back seat. These carrier strollers also have a slot fitted into the carrier design so that the seat belt feeds through and secures the carrier.

If your dog is anxious within the car and is whining and whimpering, avoid over fussing them. Many owners want to over fuss their dog and comfort them. This only tells the puppy or dog that you agree and that there’s a good reason to fuss. Avoid shouting or being angry with them too. These emotions you show to your dog will tell them they are being punished which will only reinforce that the car journey is going to be unpleasant.

When you have a really frightened dog or puppy, try putting their food bowl adjacent to your car and feed them there. After a few days when they are used to that, place their food bowl on the back seat of the car, (with the open carrier in place on the back seat for small to medium sized dogs). Leave the car door wide open. That way they know that they can get out if they fee scared, though if they are eating in the car, it should become less of a scary place to them.

During the ‘feeding in the car’ process, try throwing the odd treat on the back seat of the car (and into the pet carrier) so the dog can jump in and retrieve them. Or hide the odd treat so they have got to hunt it out. Also play a few games in and near the car with their dog toys. All this will help the dog learn that good things will happen when they are near and inside the car.

The next stage of the process is to get in the car too. When your dog is either eating or being distracted get into the front seat of the car and just sit in front of the steering wheel. Don’t make a big thing of it. Just sit there quietly for a bit then silently get out. Your dog will then begin to understand nothing bad is going to happen to them when you are in the car too. DO THIS FOR ONE DAY.

The NEXT day, when you are at the steering wheel and your dog is happily eating on the back seat, start the car. Don’t move the car, simply turn off the engine and then get out of the car. Repeat this a few times until your dog gets used to you doing it.

Then the next step is to start the car and move the car SLOWLY a couple of yards, to the end of the driveway. Stop, then return back to the cars original position. Then let the dog out of the car before you repeat. Do this a few time, always letting your dog get out after each manoeuvre. If your dog whines, paces or shows stress, you may be moving too fast for them. Take it slowly. This process will seem that it takes forever! But try and be patient, it works!

When you are at the stage where your dog doesn’t mind being driven to the end of the driveway, you can then begin to lengthen the journey. These journeys should be done with your dog in a pet carrier or securely fasted to the back seat using a safety dog harness. Try taking them for a trip around the block, then return and let them out. The next day try and travel to your nearest fun ‘dog friendly’ destination like the park, let them out and have a play and have a good time there. Then return straight home and let them out.

Keep making short fun trips to other places that your dog will get some enjoyment from. For example, going to the takeaway drive through, visiting a family member or friend who rewards them with a doggy treat, pick up the kids from school who then give their dog another tasty little treat. Make every car journey for them an upbeat, fun and POISTIVE experience. In no time your dog will be looking forward to their next trip.

If you have to drive with your dog during the hot weather, make sure that the car is well ventilated, especially if they are already enclosed in thier carrier. NEVER leave your dog unattended in a hot car. The temperature inside hot locked cars rocket sky high in the summer months and can be extremeley dangerous and even fatal for your dog. It is also illegal.

That is also the beauty of having an ‘All in One Pet Stroller’ which can be used to take your small to medium dog out with you. Simply place the wheeled frame in the boot of your car during transit and reattach the carrier to the frame when you are out and about. The sun canopy will also protect your dog from the sun and the mesh panels will keep the interior of the carrier cool and ventilated.

When you have completed the process and have a dog that is happy to travel in your car, always keep in mind your dog’s needs when planning any future trips. Follow the next few guidelines to make sure your dog is in the right temperament before you begin any long car journey. If they have exercised and eaten, chances are they will snooze while you drive!

Useful travel tips

Always make sure your dog has a good exercise session or a good walk before and after any journey.

Always make sure that your dog has had time to pee and poop before any long car journeys.

When on long car journeys make lots of stops so your dog can stretch their legs and have toilet breaks.

On long car journeys feed and water your dog little and often.

On long car journeys take chewy toys and kong food puzzles to keep them occupied.

If you travel in the summer months, choose a cooler time to drive like morning or late evening.

Many drivers like to be extra cautious and notify other motorists that they have a dog or pet on board by displaying a ‘Dog on Board Sign’. Just like motorists who have babies onboard, they would like some consideration from the other road users who would not be aware that there is a pet in the car.

Perhaps the idea is to quell any road rage if you happen to stop the car if your dog needs any attention. Signs like this tend to be more of a novelty item nowadays, but it can help some motorists have peace of mind, especially if their dog is new to car travel.