Tips for Riding in the Car with Your Dog

Life really is much more enjoyable when you have a dog who rides well in the car.  Trips to the vet are not stressful, rides to one of the many Austin dog parks are a breeze, and why not bring the dog along for a ride to pick up the kids from school?  Of course in order to enjoy riding in the car with your dog you first have to teach them how to behave in the car.

Safety is the most important factor, both for you and your dog when in the car together,  so here are some key points to make your rides safe and enjoyable.

Do not let your dog travel freely from the back seat up to the front seat and vice versa while driving.

• The best skill to use while driving is a down for your dog.  Simply put, use a solid down-stay to prevent your dog from traveling freely in the car.
• If you are still working on a functional down-stay, try tying your dog’s leash to the head rest in the back seat to prevent them from being able to come up to the driver’s compartment.  Be sure to give them enough leash where they can safely maneuver within a designated area.
• If you have an SUV, consider getting a cage that separates the trunk area from the passenger compartment.
• Do not let your dog ride in your lap while driving, no matter how cute they are, this is a serious safety issue.

The last thing you want is a dog bolting out of the car as soon as you open the door.

• Teach your dog to wait and only enter and exit the vehicle with your permission.
• If you are still working on this skill, try tying your leash to a sturdy part of the vehicle so your dog can not bolt when you open the door.

Be sure to have your dog ride in the car with you.

• Be careful of letting your dog stick their head out of the window, debris and other hazards can be dangerous if it strikes them in the face.
• I think this goes without saying, but please don’t leave your dog in the car during a hot or warm day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.  We all know that temperatures inside a car can quickly reach very high numbers quickly.
• Do not let your dog ride in the back of an open pick up truck bed.

What do you have to say, do you have any other advice for riding in the car with your dog?  We would love to hear your feedback, simply leave your advice in the comments section below.  happy motoring!

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