Driving With Dogs

Automobile Transport for DogIt is acceptable for larger dogs to ride in a seat, like a human passenger (Fig. A). If your dog has never done this before, consider making one or two short "practice" excursions to be sure the canine keeps its place and does not try to roam around the car. Smaller dogs may prefer to be transported in their sleeping crates, as this provides a secure refuge from a strange situation (Fig. B). Be aware that all dogs are fascinated by the smells they encounter when they stick their noses out the window of a moving car. It is acceptable to indulge this desire, but never leave the window open so far that the dog can jump or fall out (Fig. C).

During long car trips, allow the dog to make regular rest and exercise stops (always leash it before opening the car door). Bring along food, water, and treats in a separate container. If your dog is prone to getting carsick, your veterinarian may recommend medication (bringing the dog on a few short "practice" trips may prevent the problem altogether).

CautionCAUTION: Never, for any reason, leave your dog alone in a car. Changes in outdoor temperatures are unpredictable and can lead to stress, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and worse.


Chapter 3: Daily Interaction With Your Dog

Comments for This Page (21)  |  Post a Comment

My vet recommended Dramamine for one of my dogs who was petrified (she drooled like she had a faucet in her mouth), after 2 times using that, she settled down and then loved to go with me in the car anytime. The dose was half what you would give a person according to their weight.

barked by Jo Ann Beltrame on Jun 10, 2008 AT 12:54 pm PDT
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NEVER LET YOUR DOG STICK THEIR HEAD OUT THE WINDOW!!! objects on the road can hit them in the face. no matter what size of dog, a crate is the safest way to transport them. dogs should remain in the back seat, no matter the size. if you have an SUV, invest in a grate that will keep them in the cargo section to reduce the chance of injury should they jump into the front section. in a crash, a dog can become a huge hazard. they should be seat belted in or in a crate (or in their own safe section in the back of an SUV). this way they do not cause injury to themselves or to you.

barked by Kat on Jun 27, 2008 AT 8:34 pm PDT
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They need to mention not to let the dogs hang out of the car windows. I work in emergency clinic, dogs get thngs in their eyes, it dries them out, and they will jump out when they see something they want to go after. You can also give benedryl to dogs when they get hyper, or Bonine for the ones that get car sick. Best not to feed right before a trip either.

barked by Char Borchers on Jul 14, 2008 AT 3:40 pm PDT
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I have set up my 7lb. pups' wire crate in the back seat and belted and bungied it to and fro for security. I am using this crate as it affords free air flow whereas the other "airline" type crate has limited air flow freedom. In Florida this is a year round consideration. I am now wondering about crates safety in the event of an accident...

barked by suzette spensberger on Jul 14, 2008 AT 3:48 pm PDT
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NEVER allow your pet to sit in the front passenger seat. If an airbag deploys, it could seriously injure or kill a dog. Come on Dogster, we take this seriously!

barked by Sonny Pereira on Jul 14, 2008 AT 4:10 pm PDT
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I know first hand that a dog can and will jump out of a window, even if the car is moving. My first dog, Crazee, a Sheltie, jumped out a half-opened window while I was going around a bend! Terrified me! Luckily, I was on an Air Force base and the speed limit was only 30 MPH, and the road was empty. A serviceman stopped behind me and caught my frightened dog before he could further get hurt. So please, guard your dogs as you would your children!

barked by Joyce King on Jul 14, 2008 AT 4:30 pm PDT
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I have a 14 pound Peke-a-Poo and he loves to sit in his doggy car seat. He is strapped in (attached to a harness not collar) and he can see out the window.

barked by Nalana Kardos on Jul 14, 2008 AT 6:36 pm PDT
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A problem we had when a dog sticks their head out the window is them accidentally hitting the electric window roll up/down control. If it rolls up it could strangle the dog if it rolls down the dog could fall out or jump out. We disable the passenger window control by duct taping a little metal cover over it.

barked by Alison Spees on Jul 14, 2008 AT 7:07 pm PDT
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I train my dogs to ride with the windows down and not stick their heads out. I have problems with my A/C in the car and if it is too hot, I will need to drive with windows down. And I always use a seat belt in the back seat. They are allowed in the front seat in emergencies and like I said never allowed to stick their heads out. Doen't take that much time to train. Especially if you start with the seat belt. I have a Boxer and a Lab. Use to have a Dobie too, till she passed away with Canceer. Also my dogs are trained to not leave the car without my permission even it fhe door is opened. That way I can get a leash on them first. A trained dog is a happy dog and easier to live with.

barked by Audrey Edwards on Jul 14, 2008 AT 9:33 pm PDT
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I bring my dog in the car with me every few days. He rides wonderfully but that's probably because I started him at such a young age. The car seat I use is the Snoozer dog seat. It's amazing. (http://www.snoozer-dog-beds.com/) His seat sits in the front seat of my car because I have the ability to shut off the air bag on that side of the car. Otherwise I would put it in the back because an air bag will kill a dog if it deploys (as an earlier poster said). A suggestion for those who want to let dogs stick their heads out: How about using Doggles? http://www.doggles.com/ Have a safe summer!

barked by Sarah Dougherty on Jul 15, 2008 AT 5:30 am PDT
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If you are going to let your dog ride in the front seat I would hope that it is conected to the seatbelts in some way. This harness connects to the seatbelts http://www.kurgo.com/products/tfsh.html

barked by Bella Ineson on Jul 15, 2008 AT 10:35 am PDT
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Just so you know. California passed a law that all animals have to be buckled in for safety. Use some type of harness or kennel or car seat. A study at the AAA noted that one of the top five things to hit a driver in a accident was a pet. To me that is scary! I would never want anything to harm my pets for my lack of responsibility. Please be safe.

barked by The Modern Dog on Jul 15, 2008 AT 12:49 pm PDT
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Dogs can ride with their snouts out the window as long as they do not put anything past their stop outside the car. That way their eyes and ears are inside and cannot be injured by wind or debris.

barked by Merlin Wylt on Jul 16, 2008 AT 7:41 am PDT
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Always use a seat belt specifically for dogs and DO NOT let them sit in the front seat. They would be killed by the airbag if it went off

barked by Andrea Dawkins on Jul 16, 2008 AT 8:57 am PDT
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From the moment I get my babies they learn to ride in the back seat! I put down a rug for comfort and non-slip. They love to hang their heads out and I would never deprive them of their joy!! Everything comes w/ risk. If I'm going faster than 40 MPH I just put the window up! I have the happiest dogs in town!

barked by Marty Foreman on Nov 17, 2008 AT 11:23 am PST
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I taught my two to ride in the backseat with seatbelts. They now jump into the car, go straight to their respective seats, and wait for me to buckle them in. I keep an old comforter across the back seat to keep hair and messes down to a minimum, and the center cup holder holds a drinking cup between them. Charity takes toys on long trips, but PT prefers to sleep or look out the window. We drove nearly every month between S. Carolina and Florida, and PT knew every rest area and exit with a McDonalds on the way! He also knew where the turnoffs were, and began whining about five minutes before hitting a rest stop, exit, or lunch break! I never worried about getting lost!

barked by Diane Graebner on Nov 17, 2008 AT 11:45 am PST
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Holly is a trucker dog, she wears a harness/seatbelt,. She once jumped out of my cab moving at 30 mph! She had somehow stepped on the seat belt release with her paw and got herself out of the restraint. Wow, we were both scared! She never did that again. Now she sticks her head out the window briefly and as I pick up speed she prefers to put her head back inside. Any speed above 30 mph she wants the window shut. She once got smacked by a low branch and has never forgotten it.

barked by Rennie Miller on Nov 18, 2008 AT 5:36 am PST
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My two Boston Bull Terriers know what "GO BYE BYE" means and runs to the chair in the living room and sit up for me to put their harneses on. When we go to the car they get in the back seat only and turn around for me to buckle them up in their seat belt harneses. They know they don't get in the front seat, only being in the harneses they can't look out the window so they just lay down and go to sleep.

barked by Carol Douglass on Nov 20, 2008 AT 4:31 pm PST
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NEVER, EVER, DRIVE WITH YOUR DOG IN YOUR LAP!! This is for people with small dogs. You never know when their legs migh get caught in the steering wheel, or they get into your face. Even the BEST TRAINED dogs in this world have glitches! Something that i've found useful is, if you are just going to the store for milk, junkfood,etc use the drive throu and you can take your animal with you. Some places even give your pet treats. This way every time they go with you, it's not just that trip to the vets.

barked by Sheila Flowers Ritchie on Feb 13, 2009 AT 5:21 pm PST
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I have a station wagon and it has quite some space for a Shih Tzu dog. My first dog Sam learned to roam around the car during trips and chooses hid best place, front passenger seat! I have several adult Shih Tzu dogs and most of them are well accustomed to riding, but one for that matter keeps on throwing up after 10minutes during the ride. Any suggestions please?

barked by Dongskie Garcia on Mar 21, 2009 AT 2:33 am PDT
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For my Shih Tzu, I got the boost-me-up car seat from Doctors Foster and Smith... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19147 I love it, it keeps her safe and she still enjoys riding... The safest place for a dog in the car is the middle in the back seat. :)

barked by Ashbee on Apr 30, 2009 AT 3:08 pm PDT
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Quirk BooksThe Dog Owner's Manual is a basic guide to dog care.
The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides dog owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!