Anyone who has a dog at home knows how fond these little animals are. So much so that sometimes it is impossible for us to be separated from them for a long time.
For this reason, many times we like to take them with us anywhere, such as to enjoy a good vacation with family or friends , or to spend the day outside.
In these trips in which we need a vehicle to get around, we have to be aware that we cannot take our dog in the car in any way . If we do not take the appropriate precautions, this could put your life and the safety of both at risk.
From My New Best Friend in this article we gather all the recommendations, advice and regulations to take into account so that you know how to take the dog in the car.
Keep reading!
Regulations for taking dogs in the car
Enjoying our furry transporting it in the car is possible, but it must meet a series of requirements established by Spanish legislation.
According to data from the DGT (General Directorate of Traffic), 82% of pets travel by car. So it is really important to know how to transport a dog by car .
The basic rules for taking the dog by car that you should know are:
- You can NOT carry our pet loose inside the vehicle. It could annoy or distract us and, in the worst case, cause an accident.
- You have to place a separator in the vehicle that prevents our furry friend from distracting or disturbing us.
Remember: Taking the dog in the car and getting a fine will only happen in the case of transporting it incorrectly.
5 tips for traveling with your dog by car
Sometimes having a puppy at home is the same as having a child and, therefore, you have to take care of it as such. Just like children, dogs also need a car safety system .
If you want to protect your little furry, it is best to take a look at these useful tips on how to travel by car with a dog. In addition to saving you a good fine, you will be protecting the life of your pet and yours at all times.
Get a proper security system
It may be the most logical and essential in terms of how to take the dog in the car , but many times we do not pay enough attention to it.
Our dogs need to be very safe when traveling by car, so it is important to spend a few minutes choosing the most appropriate security system .
Today there are different restraint systems for traveling by car with a dog . And it is always convenient to choose it according to the size and weight of our furry friend.
The main safety systems for traveling by car with a dog are:
- harness. It is a quality security mechanism that is attached to the car belt . There are stores specializing in this type of mechanism.
- Grid. It is the most common method when we want to transport our dog in the trunk . Especially if our furry is big and restless, it is the best option for him to be comfortable and feel calm.
- carrier. If your little one is still a puppy or due to his breed his size is reduced , this is the safest option. You can carry it in the back seat with the belt or in the trunk.
rest every 2 hours
We must take into account that -a priori- dogs are not used to traveling by car, and that the first few times this can cause them anxiety and nervousness . Just like people on long trips get tired and overwhelmed, so do they.
As a general rule, it is recommended that you rest every 2 hours. It will be good for both of you to drink or eat something. Even a quick stop for service if needed.
Surely both you and your furry appreciate it!
start small
We know you’d love to take your dog anywhere in the car, but you’ll have to start small , or your little one might get scared and never want to get in the car again.
This point is key in how to take the dog in the car. You can start with small journeys such as going to a friend’s house, to a nearby natural park, etc.
At first your dog may cry, get overwhelmed or nervous. Don’t worry, it’s normal. You have to be patient and, above all, teach him with great affection that he doesn’t have to be afraid of anything.
Control possible nausea and dizziness
Dogs can also get dizzy and nauseated when traveling in a car . Especially this happens during the first trips. You don’t have to worry too much, your furry is fine, but you can always follow recommendations to prevent this from happening.
When traveling with your dog in the car, try to fast for at least two hours. In this way it will be more difficult for the trip to cause nausea and end up vomiting , something that would be very uncomfortable for our furry friend, and would even cause bad memories of traveling by car.
Also, if your dog is prone to dizziness, you can choose to give him a medication to avoid or reduce it. It is always convenient that you consult your trusted veterinarian beforehand so that he can advise you on what to administer.
never leave him alone
Do not forget that traveling with a dog in a car is like traveling with a small child. They are heavily dependent on us. For this reason, you should never leave your friend alone in a car.
The main reason is your health. If you travel in summer in the car, the temperature can rise quickly and our little one can suffer a heat stroke. Also, being alone can make him more nervous than usual and scared of not seeing us with him.
Traveling with your dog by car can be a great experience and will allow you to do many things with your canine friend, so it is important to do it the right way. Don’t be in a hurry for him to adapt to the car, and teach him to do it with love.
In your attempt to take the dog in the car and make it feel good while traveling, you can even reward it with toys, sweets, etc.
We hope these tips have been useful to you and that you and your dog can enjoy great trips and new experiences together!