How to Travel Safely with Your Dog

While people enjoy the comforts of seat-belts and airbags, our companions are often placed in the back seat without protection. Should an accident happen there is the possibility that our dog could be injured. To reduce the risk of preventable injuries the backseat should be outfitted with a harness or the dog should travel in a secured pet carrier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pet car harness
• Treats

1. Gather your pet and some treats that he finds rewarding. Show him the harness and then give him a treat. Place the harness on him and then give him a treat. Remove the harness.

2. Take your dog outside and have him get in the car. Once he’s in the car, show him the harness and reward with the treat. Place the harness on him and attach it to the seat belt. Give him a treat and then release him from the harness. Make sure he stays in the car until you tell him it is ok to get out.

3. Take your dog back to the car and secure him in his harness. Turn the car on and let it run for a few minutes with your dog in the harness. Reward him while the car is running and right after you turn the car off. Release him from the harness and then allow him to get out of the car.

4. Bring your dog back out and have him get into the car. Place him in his harness, start the car, and then drive around the block a couple of times. Return home, reward him with the treat and then release him.

5. Gradually increase the distance you travel while making sure that he has positive associations with both the harness and the car.

Tips & Warnings

• Pairing treats with the harness and car rides helps dogs learn to like these things. Dogs learn by association so the happier the environment when he encounters something new, the more likely he is to be a fan of it.
• Slowly building up to a longer drive allows him to get comfortable in small increments. It also helps to avoid motion sickness. Signs of motion sickness include increased drooling, nausea, and diarrhea. A stubborn refusal to get in the car can also be a sign of motion sickness that your dog feels but which does not present visible symptoms.
• If your dog suffers from motion sickness, seek advice from your veterinarian. Over the counter medications including diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), meclizine (Bonine®) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®) may help but should only be given under medical advice.
• Drive defensively, keeping focused on what is happening on the road.
• Seat covers can help keep your car clean.
• Window covers that protect against excessive sunshine and heat are a great way to make the trip more comfortable for your dog.
• Avoid comforting your dog if he is showing signs of distress. Comforting him, as natural as it seems, reinforces the idea that something bad is happening. Do your best to stay calm and normal while paying attention for signs of true distress (instead of discomfort).
• Be careful when leaving your dog in the car alone. Never leave him in the car without air conditioning during warm weather as the inside of the car can heat up quickly and be dangerous.

Resources

• How dogs learn
• Motion sickness information