Travel Safety Tips for You and Your Dog

I’m a dog person. I’m also a car person. These two identities mesh for me because I like nothing better than taking my dog for a ride in a car.

I could quickly become a dog hoarder (and a car hoarder) if it weren’t for my wife, who keeps me (mostly) on an even keel. We are currently a one-dog household with our amazing chow-mix pal, Radar. Fortunately for me, Radar is the friendliest dog in the world, so I can take him anywhere without worry. And, as an auto journalist’s companion, he’s a fantastic passenger. He knows where dogs sit (in the second row or behind the back seat) and doesn’t bark at the dogs we pass along the way. Like every dog I’ve owned, Radar would gladly go for a ride across the country without complaint. He’s a good boy. I love traveling with him and want him to be a safe passenger on every trip.

I’ve accumulated a ton of knowledge about bringing dogs along safely in a car, so I welcome the opportunity to share some treats in honor of National Dog Day, celebrated on Aug. 26. We also got some expert advice from Veronica Higgs, DVM, manager of Chewy Veterinary Services. We’re serious about safe travel with animals.

• Some Dos and Don’ts
• Some Tools and Accessories
• Some Vehicles to Share With Your Dog and Some to Avoid
• The Dogs of Autotrader

Some Do’s and Don’ts

Do: Train your dog on short rides before planning a long ride.

Don’t make the mistake of heading out on a road trip with a dog who has never been for a ride. Several years ago, I had a labradoodle named Chet. At about six months old, we took him on a weekend trip from Los Angeles to Ojai, California. A curvy section of road gave Chet instant motion sickness, and he vomited all over our back seat. That mess was my fault, not Chet’s. According to Higgs, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet before you take your dog on a road trip. “Get ahead of motion sickness and travel anxiety by asking your vet about tips and tricks, as well as medications that may be useful,” she says.

MORE: Car Odor Elimination Tips and Products

Do: Take your dog for rides to fun nearby destinations — not just to the veterinarian’s office.

Many dogs learn to associate a car trip with a vet visit, which can lead to anxiety and an unhappy passenger. If you drive your dog to a dog park, a pet store, or anywhere you know they’ll enjoy, you’ll build positive associations for the ride. Even better, take your dog to the vet’s office without an appointment and ask the staff to give them treats and affection. Do this twice as often as your regular vet visits, and your dog will never complain about going to the vet again. “Make the car a happy place,” says Higgs.

Don’t: Let your dog run loose in your car.

Not only can this be dangerous for your dog in case of an accident or sudden stop, but it can also be dangerous for you. Your dog could interfere with driving, cause a distraction, or block your view of traffic. Tragically, your dog could become a dangerous projectile in a collision, injuring you and your passengers. A secure dog is a safe dog.

Don’t: Let your dog put their head out an open window.

Nothing is as cute as a happy dog with their head out the window, drinking in the sights and smells. Unfortunately, happy doesn’t always equal safe. Your dog’s head will be vulnerable to flying objects and road debris. Your normally well-behaved dog may be tempted to leap from your moving car. Even worse, your dog could be seriously injured in an accident. “For safety reasons,” Higgs says, “it may be better to just crack the window and let them smell the fresh air — with all body parts inside the car.”

Don’t: Leave your dog alone in your car, especially in hot weather.

Even with the windows open, a hot car can heat up like an oven, and your dog will suffer. You don’t want that.

Some Tools and Accessories

Seat Harness

Find a harness that connects with your seatbelt system and safely secures your dog. Some systems confine the dog to one seating position, while others allow dogs to wander from side to side in the second or third row. Match the harness to your dog’s size and temperament. Only you know which kind of restraint will work. Use short trips and treat rewards to help make your dog comfortable. Try the Sleepypod Clickit Sport Plus Safety Dog Harness or the Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Crash-Tested Smart Dog Harness, which are highly rated at Chewy.

Soft Crates

Crate training isn’t for every dog or every owner, but it can be an excellent solution for a nervous traveler. Secure a crate behind the back row of seats in your SUV or on the back seat of your sedan. Give your dog a familiar blanket or pillow and a favorite toy to keep them company. Your dog will be much safer traveling in a crate than unrestrained. The PetSafe Happy Ride Collapsible Cat & Dog Travel Crate from Chewy is a great option with an aluminum frame, soft sides, mesh ventilation panels, and seatbelt slits to keep it secure if you use it in one of your seating positions. For air travel, consider Mirapet USA’s Airline Travel Carrier Dog & Cat.

Pet Barrier

If you have a dog who won’t respond well to a harness or a crate, don’t despair. You can still protect your dog and yourself with a pet barrier, a fence you install behind the second row of your SUV. Your dog will be able to see, hear, and smell you but cannot jump over the seat or get tossed over in a sudden stop or accident. Some automakers offer this as an accessory, and many good aftermarket solutions are available.

Collapsible Water/Food Dish

Hydration, hydration, hydration! Dogs need plenty of water to stay happy and healthy. I always have a collapsible water dish in my glove compartment to provide easy access to water for my dog at each stop. My dish has also come in handy when encountering stray dogs while driving. Give a dog some water, and you’ve got a friend.

Dog Ramp

As my standard poodle, Truman, aged, he had difficulty jumping up into the back of my Toyota 4Runner. Fortunately, I found a dog ramp that was the perfect solution. The two-piece aluminum ramp was lightweight and had a non-skid coating. After a few training sessions with Truman’s favorite treats, my elderly poodle could enter and exit the 4Runner like royalty. The Frisco Tri-Fold Dog Car Ramp from Chewy looks like a handy, lightweight example.

Of course, there’s more to finding the right dog and keeping them safe than just shopping for pet-friendly products. If you want to find out what pet might be best for you, what to expect as a new pet owner, or more information on pet safety in general, go to BeChewy. 

RELATED: How to Remove Dog Hair From Cars

Some Vehicles to Share With Your Dog and Some to Avoid

Big SUVs for Big Dogs

If you’re lucky enough to own a giant breed like a Newfoundland, an English Mastiff, or a Great Dane, you know a compact crossover SUV is not a good match. Some SUVs with the best space for big dogs include the Chevrolet Suburban, the Ford Expedition, the Nissan Armada, and the Toyota Sequoia. Don’t forget the dog ramp to get your big pup in and out safely and easily.

Medium SUVs for Medium Dogs

I always like to throw a little love to Subaru, the most publicly dog-friendly carmaker. Not only has Subaru donated over $70 million to support the adoption, rescue, transport, and health of over 700,000 animals (most of them dogs), but the company also builds two SUVs I consider the best dog vehicles: the Outback and the Forester. Both vehicles have low lift-over thresholds in the back and tall roofs, making them comfortable for medium and large dogs.

Any Car for Small Dogs

It’s been a long time since I’ve lived with a small dog, but only by chance. My sister has five dogs, each under 15 pounds. She loves taking them with her on her errands — one at a time. The dogs get a prime seating spot in a dog harness in the front passenger seat of her Mercedes-Benz GLC. You can create a similar arrangement for your small dog in your vehicle’s front, second, or third row.

Vehicles to Avoid

Please do not let your dog travel in an open pickup bed. Need I say more?

The Dogs of Autotrader