Top tips for travelling with your dog

Travelling with your dog in the car or by public transport requires planning and patience. Here are some of our top tips for keeping your pooch happy and safe when on the move.

Travelling with your dog can be a wonderful adventure, but that doesn’t mean it’s all smooth sailing. Whether your dog’s travelling in the car, by bus or on the train with you, there are things you need to consider to keep them calm, comfortable and safe. 

Here are some top tips and rules for travelling with your dog, to help keep your canine companion as content as can be.

Preparations

Firstly, you’ll need to get your dog ready for travelling. Make sure your pooch always wears a collar with an ID tag when out in public. This will not only help reunite you in the - hopefully, unlikely - case they got lost, but it’s also a legal requirement in the UK. A microchip implant is also a sensible addition, as this can be used to identify your dog if they were to lose their collar. Just remember to keep your information up to date when you move home or change your phone number. 

It’s also important to consider your dog’s temperament and training. If they have a tendency to feel anxious, there are a few things you can do to get them ready for a journey. Whether you’re travelling with your dog by car, train or bus, it’s best to ease them in slowly, starting with very short journeys - rewarding good behaviour with praise and treats - and increasing the journey time gradually. Before setting off on any car journeys, you might even want to get them to sit inside the car without going anywhere to help your dog get used to the car. 

Behaviours like barking and whining can be disruptive and dangerous, so you’ll need to put in the relevant training to avoid this issue happening when on the go. Good socialisation with people and other dogs is also important before going on public transport with your dog.

Car travel with dogs

Some dogs are perfectly happy in the car, but others might need a little more time and encouragement to get used to it. You also need to consider your dog’s safety in the car.

Here are some of the key things to keep in mind when travelling by car with dogs:

Make sure they’re secure

You wouldn’t drive around without a seatbelt on, and neither should your pooch. For their safety, as well as your own, it’s a legal requirement in the UK to make sure your dog is suitably secured when riding in the car. You’re also not allowed to have your pet on the front seat. Dogs can travel on the back seat or in the boot, as long as it’s not enclosed and there is adequate space for them.  

Depending on the size of your pooch, you can place them in a pet carrier or travel dog crate,  or secure them using a harness that attaches to the seat belt or by placing a gate across the opening of the boot. 

Keep them comfy

Your pooch will feel much more settled in the car if you’ve made it as comfy for them as possible. If there’s space, you can pop a travel pet bed on the backseat, inside a travel dog crate or in the boot. Alternatively, you can get dog car hammocks that attach to the front and back seats to support your pooch and protect the upholstery. Giving them their favourite toy or blanket might also help them feel at ease.

Keep them cool

Cars can heat up quickly on a hot day, so do what you can to keep it nice and cool. If using air conditioning, try to avoid directing it straight at your pooch. If you don’t have air conditioning, be sensible about when it is and isn’t appropriate for your dog to travel with you. Your furry pal can’t control their body temperature in the way we can, so the heat can be much more dangerous for them - especially in a stationary car!

Stop regularly

When on a long journey with your furry friend, plan ahead to make sure you can take plenty of breaks. This will allow your dog to stretch their legs and go to the toilet if needed. The last thing any of you want is a whoopsie in the car! 

Have plenty of water with you

Dogs can become dehydrated on long journeys, especially if it’s a hot day. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you to share with your pooch. You can get collapsible travel pet bowls and specially designed doggy water bottles to use on the go. 

Monitor travel sickness

Signs of motion sickness in dogs can include yawning, whining, restlessness, drooling and vomiting. If your dog gets travel sick, avoid feeding them in the hour or two before you set off and try to drive as smoothly as possible. If you can have your pooch facing forward during the journey, this could also help. For severe travel sickness, your vet may be able to prescribe an anti-sickness medication for your dog.

Pet friendly bus and train travel

If you don’t have a car, or you take your dog to work with you, you might need to travel by public transport with your pooch. While dogs are allowed on most trains and buses in the UK, they’re not always allowed on coaches. 

Taking your dog on the train or bus can be a strange and nerve wracking experience for your furry friend, so here are some things you can do to make it less stressful for everyone.

Always keep them on the lead

As a dog owner, you’re legally required to keep your pooch on the lead for your entire journey, including when your dog is on the bus or train, and in stations. Even if your dog is asleep, you’re still responsible for having control of them.

Tire them out before the journey

If your dog is full of beans, it’ll be more challenging to keep them calm on your journey. Take them on a walk before you set off to let them burn off their excess energy. This way, they’ll hopefully feel much more inclined to sit or lay down peacefully. This also allows time for a toilet break before your dog gets on the train or bus.

Travel off-peak

Trains and buses can get very packed during peak times, which can be stressful for dogs. Not least because they’re at risk of being stepped on! When possible, travel off-peak when things are quieter and your pooch can have more space. Dogs aren’t allowed on the seats, but can sit on your lap or on the floor by your feet.

Consider food and water

Pack a travel bag for your dog with plenty of water, a travel pet bowl, and some treats you can give them for rewarding good behaviour. You might want to avoid feeding them proper meals just before and during your journey, as this could trigger motion sickness. 

Now you’re all set to travel with your dog, remember all these tips and rules to keep your furry companion content and safe. For more advice about caring for your pooch, check out the CESAR® dog blog.