How to let your dog travel by car

Many dogs love to ride in cars, and it’s fun to take them with you everywhere you go. However, not all dogs are like that. This article will introduce you to a few safety tips when traveling by car with your pet dog, whether they like it or not.

Table of Contents

Preparing to travel with your dog

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Find a way to keep the dog in the car. You should not let your dog roam freely in the car because it is very dangerous. If you’re going on a long trip or your dog seems stressed out in the car, you should keep him in a pet carrier. This is the most effective way to keep your dog calm and in control while driving. Keeping your dog in a cage will help you focus on driving instead of taking care of the dog. This is extremely important because distracted driving will easily cause an accident. ^{[1] X Research Source} Furthermore, dogs are also guaranteed to be safe in the event of a sudden stop or collision.

If you don’t want to keep your dog in a cage, you should at least find a way to keep him in place. For example, if your car has its own luggage compartment, you can keep your dog in the luggage compartment. If your car has a large luggage compartment, you should use a net to prevent the dog from jumping behind the seat. Line the dog with a blanket or place its bed in a corner of the car so that the dog can rest comfortably during the journey. Make sure there are no loose objects in the vehicle, such as dishes or water bottles, as they can be dangerous in the event of an accident. Many dogs will choose to sleep to reduce motion sickness.
You can also buy dog car seats. Although this type of seat is not as sturdy as a dog cage, it is safer and more comfortable for your dog than a car seat when you make a sudden turn or stop. The crate seat is the most common type of dog car seat. They have straps attached to the back of the front and rear seats, creating a soft crate for the dog to sit in and hold their urine (or poop). You can use this DIY chair blanket or buy it for a relatively low cost.
You can also use a car seat belt for your dog if you don’t want to keep your dog in a cage or if the car has only two seats. Be sure to attach the seat belt to your dog’s harness, not the collar. The dog seat belt has two ends, one end that attaches to the buckle of the car seat belt, the other end has a hook like a dog leash. Hooking this head to the dog’s bib will secure the dog’s body and prevent injury to the neck in the event of an accident.
If using a dog cage, make sure the cage is fixed. The dog’s cage needs to be firmly fixed so that it won’t move when you stop suddenly or have a collision. An unsecured dog cage is also dangerous, even more dangerous than letting the dog roam freely.

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Let the dog get used to the cage. Introduce your dog to the cage in a positive way. You can let your dog sniff the cage before getting in the car. Once the cage is in the car, keep the dog in it. Maintain a positive attitude when keeping your dog in a cage and move away for a few minutes. You should also let the dog into the cage by itself by using rewards to lure it, absolutely do not force the dog into the cage. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Let the dog exercise before getting in the car. You should make the dog expend all its energy before putting it in the cage. A dog that is locked in a cage when tired may not be happy, but putting him in a cage when he is full of energy is usually worse.

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Do not feed your dog right before the trip. You should feed the dog at least a few hours before to avoid the situation of the dog getting motion sickness or going to the toilet in the car, causing discomfort for both the dog and the owner.

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Bring essentials for the dog when away. You should prepare a comfortable area for your dog by placing his bed in the car or spreading a blanket as a cushion. Also, be sure to bring water, treats, collars, leashes, your dog’s favorite chew toys, and a plastic bag for him to go to the bathroom.

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Give your dog a few chew toys to keep him busy. It is better not to give him bones or use food as a reward because if he gets sick, he will vomit in the car.

Don’t give your dog toys that make sounds, they can drive you crazy.

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Consult your veterinarian if your dog shows signs of motion sickness. Do not give your dog Dramamine or other medications without your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor can also suggest some other ways to prevent motion sickness for your dog.

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Treat your dog’s hyperactivity before the trip. If your dog is hyperactive, you should check with your veterinarian before your trip to see if a mild and safe sedative is available for your dog, especially when away. Remember to give your dog the correct dose as prescribed by the doctor.

Going away with your dog

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Let your puppy or pet dog get used to riding in the car. You can start putting your dog in the car when the engine is not running. Then, take the dog on short trips until both you and the dog get used to carpooling.

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Take your dog to favorite places for the first few trips. Do not go far immediately, let the dog get used to the space in the car. You can take your dog to the park or a lawn so he can associate the car journey with something wonderful, not just trips to the vet.

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Always have your dog wear a collar when traveling by car. No matter how good a dog is, there is always a chance that he will jump out of the car and run away. Make sure you can recognize your dog if you lose it while on the move.

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Breaks. Let the dog run around and expend energy. You should also give your dog some snacks and water to drink while resting. Remember to stop after every hour of travel and take a short walk, even if it’s just on the grass near the snack bar at the roadside stop. This way, the dog will have the opportunity to go to the toilet and you will also have the opportunity to give it water. It is also important to give your dog a little walk so that he can exercise to relax his body and not get bored.

This is especially important on long trips. Four hours is the maximum average dog can sit in without a long break. However, as a driver, you should take a break every two hours. Rest in grassy and quiet places. Do not stop right next to the road. lock the car, give the dog some food and water, then take it for a walk to let the dog burn off a bit of excess energy in the body.
If you stop next to a main road, you MUST use a leash to ensure the safety of the dog.

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Do not leave dogs in parked cars on hot days. Dogs can go into heat stroke and die very quickly if locked in a car. To be on the safe side, you shouldn’t leave your dog alone in the car in humid weather, even for a short period of time.

If stopping to buy food, park in the shade and open the windows slightly to let cool air in. Leave a bowl of cool water in the dog car and unbuckle the seat belt if the dog is in the seat, then lock the door and order takeout.
Try not to leave the car for more than 5 minutes on warm days so your dog doesn’t overheat. If you have to stop for a bit longer, such as a long line to buy food, tie the dog right behind the door or right outside the restaurant door in an easy-to-see area. That way, at least it won’t overheat while you wait in line. Remember to tie the leash carefully so that the dog does not run away or be led away by others.

Advice

Bring a towel or blanket your dog loves to make it more comfortable.
On your first car ride, don’t feed your dog for about 2 to 4 hours before leaving so he can get in the car on an empty stomach. Multiple rides without nausea will help prevent your dog from getting motion sickness.
If your trip lasts more than 24 hours, find a pet-friendly hotel in advance so you and your dog can both rest comfortably.
Remember to bring a dog bag when you go for a walk to clean up after he goes to the bathroom.
Try to encourage your dog to go to the bathroom before getting in the car to limit the chances of him going to the car and you don’t have to find a place for him to settle.
Be patient, friendly and loving with your dog. Just like you, riding a dog can be stressful.
Do not let the dog stick its head out the window. Dogs can get dust in their eyes, or can be thrown out of the car door if there is a collision or sudden stop.

Warning

Many dogs will vomit a lot. You remember to keep an eye on it and to be safe it is best to put an old blanket or newspaper on the back seat.

Steps

Preparing to travel with your dog

Going away with your dog

Advice

Warning

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