It's time for a road trip with your dog! What could be better than a trip away with your best furry friend? Before you load the car with gravy bones, though, make sure you have the proper items to keep your dog secure.
Whether this is a harness, crate, or boot guard. It's important for both you and your dog's safety. Of course, our safety is the most important thing. But not following these rules could lead to fines, points on your licence, maybe even prison. You could risk invalidating your car insurance too.
So before you both set off, cast your eyes over our safety tips.
What are the laws and rules around driving with your dog?
It's against the law to drive with a dog that's not properly secured, so you could be prosecuted if you have an accident. Your car insurance might not pay out either if they find the cause of the accident was because you were distracted by your dog.
Your dog could get seriously injured if they're not secured too. For example, if you have a crash, they could injure themselves, escape, get killed, or injure a passenger if they're thrown forward.
Here's what the Highway Code says:
''When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly.
"A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.''
It's a serious start to this guide, we know. But no one wants to see their beloved pooch injured. So for both you and your dog's safety, you need to make sure your dog is secured.
There's plenty of ways to do this. You can choose whichever one your dog is most comfortable with. The options range from seat belt harnesses and carriers to boot guards. If fitted properly, these options can help keep your dog out of harm's way while you concentrate on the road.
Getting your dog used to travelling in the car
Pushing your dog to travel when they aren't ready isn't a good idea. We're the first to admit that we're not experts on dog behaviour, so if you have any concerns, speak to your vet or ring the Dogs Trust free helpline for tips.
In the meantime, here are some ideas that could help your dog get used to your car:
Take your dog to the car and reward them for just being near the car - at this point, you're not going into the car with your dog. Throw treats down so they can sniff and find them around the car, you could even take a toy and play a game (as long as it's safe to do this). This shows the dog that the car is a nice place to be where there's treats and games.
Once your dog is happily investigating, try sitting with your dog inside the car. Leave the doors open and the engine off too. Have their favourite toy, long-lasting chews, or a few treats scattered for them to find. Again, this just builds up positivity with the car. If they're not there yet, that's fine! Just go back to the first step and keep building the positivity.
If you find your dog is happy going inside the car, try closing the door and turning the engine on - remember, you're not going anywhere at this point. Start with just a few seconds, then build it up. Keep up the toys, chews and rewards. Again, go back to the previous step if you find they're not comfortable.
Get your dog used to their restraint, for example, their harness or their crate. You could switch to a different type of restraint if you think that's the main cause for anxiety. Make sure you line the crate or boot with a blanket so they're comfortable and won't slip.
You could be ready to try driving now! First try a few seconds, then build up. Make sure you drive to a place where you could walk home if they seem to be getting nervous.
Once you're happy, build up the journey time gradually. If you notice at any time that they're showing signs of discomfort (drooling, panting, sickness, or shaking), go back a step.
Another point to remember: There will be times where you have to drive your dog to places that they're not fond of. For example, the vets or the groomers. For these first few drives, keep it positive and make sure the destination is somewhere fun for your dog!
For more information, the PDSA has some great tips on travelling with your dog in the car.
Tips for driving with your dog in the car
Before you start travelling
Plan your journey. Make sure it's in the cooler times of the day if you're travelling in the summer and that you've got plenty of stops factored in.
Although the more direct route means you'll be there more quickly, there might not be many stopping opportunities. Going cross-country might mean there are more country parks and rural laybys where you can stop.
If it's a hot day, make sure you're doing everything you can to keep the car cool. For example:
- Check your air conditioning reaches the back of the car
- Invest in sunshades to put on the windows
- Roll the window down a little bit, but never let your dog stick their head out of the window, it's really dangerous
Don't feed your dog for two hours before travelling. This might help with car sickness. You could also take your dog for a long walk so they have time to go to the loo, it might help them settle in the car too.
Use a crate, carrier, or comfortable restraints
There are a few different ways to secure your dog in the car:
In the boot with a boot guard. Usually boots have a good amount of space, so it's a great option for your dog. Particularly if you put some blankets down. Just make sure you use a boot guard so your dog doesn't climb into the passenger area. Also, make sure your dog knows to wait until they're on their lead before jumping out of the boot.
In a crate. A crate can be a good option if your dog is comfortable with them. You can position this either in the boot or in the rear passenger section of the car. But you need to make sure it's secured with anchor straps and that your dog has enough room inside.
Seatbelt harness. This could be a good option for maybe more nervous dogs who might find comfort in seeing you. They're also a good option for smaller cars. As long as it fits properly, you can use your dog's regular harness for this and get a seat belt attachment.
Or you could get a specific car harness that indicates to the dog that they're going in the car. You just need to make sure it fits them correctly - this means snug, but not too tight. Your local pet shop can help you fit one if you need it.
Dog carriers for smaller dogs. You can get small pet carriers for dogs like pugs, Chihuahuas and Dachshunds. These might look a bit like cat carriers.
Again, you need to make sure you can secure them in the back seat with a seatbelt and that they've got enough room.
Always have plenty of water
Make sure your dog has access to water. Your dog might not want to drink while the car is in motion, but make sure you stop regularly and offer them a drink. Give them time to think about having a drink too, they might not want anything as soon as the car stops while they adjust.
Don't forget food and treats for long journeys or emergencies
If your dog doesn't have motion sickness, you could give them a few treats when you stop to make the journey more enjoyable for them. You should also pack some food just in case you break down at the side of the road.Make regular stops
Make sure your dog can stretch their legs and go to the loo often. Like we've mentioned, it's a good time to give them a drink and maybe a few treats if they're not car sick.Treating motion sickness
If your dog has motion sickness, first speak to your vet. They might be able to offer some tips or even medication. But you could try these too:- Don't feed your dog anything for two hours before your journey.
- Try anti-anxiety products if you think your dog needs them - calming collars, supplements and compression coats might help.
- Anti-sickness medications. You can get these medications from the vet, never use human anti-sickness meds for dogs though.
Can dogs sit in the front seat?
Yes, dogs can sit in the front seat, but you have to stick to these rules to prevent injury to both you and your dog:
- Make sure your dog is wearing their seatbelt harness
- Turn off the passenger airbag
- Make sure the passenger seat is as far back as possible
Although it's legal to have your dog in the front seat, it's best to have your dog in the boot or in the rear passenger seats. Your dog is less likely to distract you in the back, and if your airbag goes off it could seriously injure your dog.
Can a passenger hold a dog in the car?
No, someone holding a dog in a car doesn't count as a restraint. Your dog could wriggle free and end up distracting the driver.
Is it illegal to leave your dog in the car?
It's not illegal to leave a dog in a car, but it is cruel in some cases. In hot weather, temperatures in a car can sore. The dog can get dehydrated and die. If this happens, the owners could be charged with animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This could mean a prison sentence or a fine. The same applies to a very cold day. Your dog might not be able to stay warm.
When should I not travel or drive with my dog?
Don't travel with your dog if you don't have the proper restraints. Or if you can't stop for your dog to have a comfort break. It's not a good idea to travel with your dog if they've had an operation, or certain medical issues.
Also, if your dog is showing signs of anxiety, it's worth starting travel training with them before you go on a journey.
What do I need when driving abroad with my dog?
If you're taking your pet abroad in the car, you'll still need to make sure you can follow the points mentioned earlier in the guide. Make sure your dog can have comfort breaks regularly and that they're properly secured. If you're driving to the EU or Northern Ireland, your pet will also need:
- A microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination
- An animal health certificate for the country you're travelling to
- If you're going directly to Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway, you'll need a tapeworm treatment
This applies to all pets including service animals. But you should check the requirements for the country you're visiting as they can vary.
The animal health certificate has replaced pet passports now after Brexit. Make sure you have all your documentation to hand when leaving and entering a different country.
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