Travelling in the car is often a stressful experience for dogs and it is important that the journey is as safe and comfortable as possible. Some dogs have a fear of cars, while others suffer from car sickness. A carsick dog can leave you with a real mess to clean up, but there can be far worse consequences if you don't take simple safety precautions. Few people realise that the inside of a car legally constitutes a public place. This means that anyone who is bitten when sticking their hand through the car window could report the owner to the police and possibly even sue them. If you think there may be a risk of your dog biting someone, then muzzle him.

Safety for yourself, as well as your dog, is of the utmost importance. If your dog is not restrained he could easily leap in to the front seat unexpectedly or cause a serious distraction. This could lead to your dog injuring himself, or worse causing an accident. You can restrain your dog using a harness, which is much like a seat belt. Alternatively the dog can ride in the trunk providing there is a dog guard between the boot and the back seat.

Remember to always consider the weather before setting off, particularly if you don't have air conditioning in your vehicle. Every year dogs die from being left in hot cars. If it is very hot, it is probably best not to take your dog at all. On any car journey a dog should have access to shade and have plenty of space. It is also important to take regular stops to allow your dog to have a drink of water.

Car Sickness

Car sickness is a nightmare for many owners, including myself. Often this is caused by anxiety and fear, rather than genuine illness. Introduce your dog to the car when it is stationary, giving him a treat when he gets into it, this will develop a positive association with the car. Also begin by taking your dog on short journeys, ending with a new, exciting walk. If you think your dog is actually feeling ill from the movement of the car then it is possible to buy herbal dog tablets that help to calm sickness. To reduce the chances of him feeling sick, and to limit the mess you will have to clean up, it is common sense not to feed your dog a big meal before a journey.