The Highway Code stipulates that dogs are suitably restrained so even before travelling you’ll need to teach your dog to feel relaxed in a comfortably-sized seatbelt harness, pet carrier, dog cage, or the boot behind a dog-guard. These must be securely fitted and positioned so your dog can’t interfere with the driver or hang out of windows.

Never leave your dog alone in the car and keep them as cool as possible while traveling – non-spill water bowls are helpful, as is planning toileting/exercise breaks for longer journeys. 

Start by using your dog’s favorite special treats to reward them for being calm whenever they’re near the car, even just walking around it. Reward your dog for sitting calmly before you’re ready to open the door and invite them inside.

If your dog has traveled before and enjoyed it, they might be very excited about jumping into the car and out of it when you arrive at the park – but this isn’t a good idea as it can put them at risk of injury or accident.

Ask them to sit while you slowly open the door and give them a few treats to keep them sitting as you do. If you do this every time you arrive at the car they’ll soon start to automatically sit and wait patiently before you guide them in safely and under your control. Once they’re in, simply spend a little time sitting inside with them; giving them a safe and long-lasting chew to enjoy can be a good way for them to learn the car is an enjoyable place to be.

Likewise, teach your dog to get out of the car calmly and quietly by slowly opening the door just a little way and waiting for your dog to sit or stay still before you invite them out. Always reward your dog for their patience with their favorite tasty treat, or two. Our doorway training guides teach a dog to pass through an open door while giving their owner full attention, and this teaching can be applied to the car door too!

It’s important to introduce car travel carefully, because for some dogs being in this confined space while it’s moving might feel very unusual to begin with, especially if they’ve never been in a car before. For example, all sorts of movement and activity happening outside, that they can neither get involved in nor get away from, might be worrying or frustrating.

They’ll need to get used to the sound and movement of the car slowly because it’s a lot for their senses to take in. Giving your dog extra tasty treats whenever the car starts up and starts to move means they’ll begin to associate these changes with good things happening.