Law and advice for car travel with dogs

When should I start car training my puppy or dog? 

If car travel is going to be a part of your canine companion’s life (even if just short trips to visit the vet), it’s a good idea to get them familiar with the car as soon as you can.

Many good breeders will incorporate car travel into their puppies’ socialisation and habituation programmes, which will give dogs a head start when it comes to being happy in a vehicle but before you head out onto the road with your dog, there is plenty to think about.

Safety and comfort

There is no point heading out in the car with your dog unless they are happy to travel and are going to enjoy the whole experience – as otherwise the stress of the journey will ruin any pleasure your dog will have from the destination.

The secret to having a dog who enjoys being in the car and looks forward to road trips is preparation long before you hit the road.

1. Think about where you want your dog to travel and how you are going to restrain them in the car. In most cases, (with a hatchback or an estate (or larger), the safest place is in the back of the car, behind the seats, in a purpose built, secured crate, or behind a well-fitted dog guard. This gives your dog a dedicated space where they are free to move around, get comfortable, and change position when they want to – and to be safe in the event of an accident.
2. If you choose to have your dog travel in the back, there are a couple of things to think about. The main one is ‘can I keep my dog cool there?’. Most people have air conditioning and so think they can control the temperature of the car but don’t realise that air conditioning is only designed to keep passengers cool, and so often doesn't reach the area behind the seats.
   And of course, in the back of a hatch back/estate, there is a lot of glass on three sides that will magnify the heat of the sun from whatever direction it comes from.
3. Get someone to drive your car while you sit in the area your dog will travel. Is the air con reaching you? If not, you need a fan that you can direct onto the crate, to shade the windows (without obscuring or affecting your driving vision), and travel with windows slightly open to allow air to get to your dog. The advantage of a crate is that your dog doesn’t have access to the open windows or if they are behind a dog guard, open the windows immediately in front of it. You don’t have to open them far to get air flow into the car. Yes, I know that affects the effectiveness of your air con – but this is all about keeping your dog cool!
4. Make the space your dog is traveling is comfortable – so give them a soft surface to lie on. Veterinary bedding is ideal as it is soft, doesn’t slide or bunch up, and is waterproof (just in case!). Or you can put your dog’s bed into that space.
5. Some dogs travel better if they can’t see out of the windows – other traffic whizzing past can be either scary or highly arousing, so consider window blinds if this sounds like your dog!
6. If you can’t have your dog in the back for some reason, your options are either a car harness or else find a secure way to have your dog on the back seat. There are a variety of pop-up crates you can buy that are attached to the back seat using the seat belts – and these can be a great option.
   Harnesses should really be a last resort for short journeys only, as not only do they keep your dog in one position and give them little chance to move around and get comfortable, but they as not secure (and lots of dogs either wriggle around in them or try and slip out of them) and they generally make your dog a distraction.
7. Travel with water and a bowl (a non-spill water bowl can be left in the crate if your dog won’t chew it or throw it around!).
8. While it is the expensive option, if you are planning frequent journeys with your dog, it is worth buying a car that will be as good for them as for you. The best cars for dogs are ones that have a good safety record, and that do give you space to put a crate or a dog guard behind the seats. Usually these are hatchbacks, estates or SUVs.

Preparation

Get your dog used to the area they will be traveling in and the car/movement before you head off down the highway. You want to teach them that the car is a great place to be.

1. Start by putting them into the car (with the tail gate/door open), giving them a treat and taking them out again. You can even give them their dinner in there. Do this for a few days.
2. Repeat, but this time shut the doors – first with you beside them, then with you in the driving seat.
3. If they are happy, repeat but turn the engine on while they are enjoying their treat/dinner.
4. Next you can go to the end of the drive – or round the block – doing exactly the same thing.
5. Slowly you can build up the length of your journeys.
6. Mix up where you go to on these practise drives and how long the drives are – sometimes for a nice walk, other times just to sit in a car park! You don’t want your dog to think that every journey is really exciting - or they can get slightly car crazy!

The law and suitable dog restraints

Did you know you could be breaking the law in the UK if you don't follow the rules set out by The Highway Code for travelling with dogs?

Your dog must be suitably restrained so they cannot disturb the driver of the car. This requires you to put them in a dog crate, pet carrier, or dog harness or use a dog guard in the rear of the vehicle.

Driving with pets is covered under Rule 57 of The Highway Code that states: “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.”

You could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention if your dog isn’t properly secured – for example if officers observe you driving with your dog on your lap or standing on the parcel shelf.

It’s not just the law you have to think about either. While we never intend to have an accident, if we are involved in a collision, a loose dog can be injured, killed or escape from the vehicle if they are unrestrained – or they could injure you or your passengers if thrown forward.

Always check with your car and pet insurance company when travelling with dogs, as along with complying with the law, many policies require your dog to be restrained and may even prescribe the manner in which they should travel.

By law, all dogs over 8 weeks old must be microchipped, and when outside their home, wear a collar showing their owner's name and address. This rule applies to dogs travelling in cars too.

For the complete set of rules surrounding animals and the law, see the Government's website.

Dog restraint options for your car

There are four main options for keeping your dog safe when travelling by car with the safest option being secured crates and dog guards:

• Dog crates. The safest option for traveling with your dog is a crate behind the seats that is designed for the make and model of your car, or that is fully secured in some way and lined with veterinary bedding. This gives your dog a secure comfortable area to lie down in, be able to move around, and even have a non-spill water bowl.
• Dog guards. These metal grills fit in behind the back seats of your car and give your dog the freedom of the rear space, but keep them safely contained within that area. The drawback of dog guards is that unlike crates, your dog is not contained when you open the back of the vehicle and can escape if you are not careful.
• Pet carriers. These can work well in smaller vehicles and for smaller doglike Pugs and Dachshunds. Carriers are portable and lightweight but do ensure they have a way of securing them on the back seat (or passenger seat) with the seatbelts.
• Pet-safety harness. There are many options on the market suitable for all sizes of dog, but it is important that any option you choose is fully crash tested. Effectively, these are dog seat belts! Most are harnesses fitted to your dog and then clipped into existing seatbelts, allowing your dog to sit on the back or front seat of your car. If they sit in the front seat, make sure you de-activate the airbags on the passenger side. These can work for short journeys but they don’t allow your dog to move around, and unless your dog is a seasoned traveller, can lead to squirming, attempts at escapology, and chewing seatbelts. All of this is a distraction to the driver as well as a safety concern – and dogs chewing seatbelts is a leading cause of seatbelt snapping and failing at the time you need them most.

Keeping your dog comfortable on a car journey

When you head off on a road trip, keep your dog happy and comfortable by following this advice:

• Hold off feeding for two hours before travelling with your dog in the car as a precaution against car sickness.
• Make sure your dog has had a walk and a good toileting opportunity before you set off on your drive.
• Include plenty of stops for long car trips for toilet breaks and a chance to stretch the legs. Plan these stops to be in quiet areas away from passing traffic.
• Hot weather is particularly dangerous for a dog confined to a car trip for hours – especially if you get stuck in traffic jams. Plan your journey for the cooler times of the day, make sure your air conditioning reaches the part of the car where your dog travels (many don’t as they are designed to cool the passengers only), and either avoid rush hours or else plan a cross-country route where you can stop as often as you need to.
• Sunshades and even letting the windows open (depending on your air con) can help – as long as it is safe to do so. But make sure they are properly restrained and you never let them travel with their head out the window.

How can I help my dog with car sickness?

Most importantly, prepare as above for car journeys. Your aim is to avoid your puppy or dog being sick and so developing negative associations with the car.

If you have a dog who is car sick or particularly anxious about car travel, check with your vet for their advice.

If you have any behavioural issues that arise while travelling by car, contact a dog behaviourist for expert advice.

As an Agria Pet Insurance customer, you can speak to a vet completely free whenever you have a question or concern about your pet’s health. Simply download the Agria App for free 24/7 video calls; giving you expert advice to help keep your pet happy and healthy.

Find out more about the Agria app here.

Last reviewed by expert behaviourist Carolyn Menteith on 7 July 2024.