Dogs often have to travel with their owners in cars, whether it be to a park for exercise, to the vet or on longer trips.
Some dogs become very excited by car travel and will bark, leap around or pace, behaviour that is neither safe nor peaceful in the confined space of a family car. Although most dogs experience no ill effects during car journeys, there are a number of ways of both improving your dog’s in-car safety and making the trip more comfortable for it.
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Try to accustom your dog to travelling by car from an early age.
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Young puppies are often car sick, but this is usually a problem that they grow out of.
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Do not feed a dog immediately before car travel.
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Before beginning a long journey, exercise your dog; it is also advisable to stop every two hours to allow the dog to have a run, relieve itself and have a drink.
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Either put an old sheet or rug over the back seat or, if you have an estate vehicle or hatchback, settle your dog at the rear of the car (fit a metal grille to prevent the dog from leaping in to the seating area).
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A crate-trained dog will happily lie securely in its crate for journeys of any length; not only is this probably the most secure method of transporting a dog, but, in the event of an accident, it will ensure that the dog will not be flung around the car. Another alternative is to train your dog to sit in a purpose-built, moulded travel container secured within the car.
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In hot weather, make sure that your car is well ventilated and carry a flask of water and a bowl so that your dog can have a drink.
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Try not to leave your dog alone in your car, but if you really must, ensure that it is well ventilated and park in the shade if possible.
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Never leave your dog in a car without opening the windows slightly: dogs have poor control of their body temperature and can easily become overheated, often fatally so.
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If the weather is really hot, leave the dog at home, where it will be more comfortable.