The dog’s relationship with the car is almost never simple and immediate. For this it is necessary to take the right precautions and adopt some precautions to accustom our animal to travel by car without problems .

Once obtained, this result will be useful for everything: both to take him with serenity to the park near his home or to the vet for checks, and for when the holiday time comes.

In fact, more and more families decide to take their four-legged friend with them on vacation to the sea , or to the mountains. But not all dogs necessarily enjoy the car trip to get there …

The machine, in fact, can cause discomfort in the animal due to the closed space , the movement but also the noise of the engine .

It is therefore up to us to adopt, from the beginning, a series of precautionary measures to make the trip pleasant for our furry dog. Let’s see what they are:

  1. Getting the animal accustomed to the motor vehicle from an early age .
  2. Gradually bring the puppy closer to the car experience, getting him on first with the engine off and giving him plenty of time to sniff and settle in before moving on to the actual journey.
  3. Before leaving for a trip, give him a long walk : he will certainly be more relaxed.
  4. Associate the use of the car with pleasant events – as much as possible – such as a walk in the park, a trip to the mountains, etc.
  5. Provide the dog with a comfortable and safe place : it will certainly be more peaceful and will not fidget during the journey.
  6. Put some of his favorite toys or blanket he uses when he is at home in the carrier or in the dog area. He will certainly feel more confident and comfortable.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS ABOUT TRANSPORTING DOGS BY CAR

The Highway Code allows the transport of the dog by car, subject to compliance with certain rules designed to ensure the safety of both the driver, passengers and the animal itself during the trip (Art. 169. * Transportation of people, animals and objects on motor vehicles). Failure to adhere to these rules provides for penalties of up to € 300.

Among the various rules to follow we find that the dog cannot be left free in the car , nor be held in the arms. The animal, to travel safely, must be placed in a carrier , a Kennel or a rigid cage, of adequate size for its height so that the animal can be comfortable.

Alternatively , it is possible to use a safety belt for dogs (which fastens to the one already present for passengers), or to mount the dividing net that divides the passenger compartment into two areas: one for the animal and one for us and the any passengers. In addition, the dog transport area must be comfortable, well ventilated and with a view!

It goes without saying that it is absolutely forbidden to let the dog stick out of the window : its safety is at stake (the risk of falling down is high).

Furthermore, the law requires that you always carry a leash and muzzle with you.

GENERAL RULES TO RESPECT FOR TRAVELING BY CAR WITH YOUR DOG

In addition to what has already been mentioned above to make the journey of your pet enjoyable or as regards the rules established by law, we list here, instead, a whole series of precautions for traveling safely with your dog:

  • NEVER leave your dog alone in the car , especially in midsummer. Remember that parking in the shade or leaving the window open is not enough. This action could cost your pet his life!
  • It is a good idea to always carry all the documents of the animal with you (health card in the first place).
  • Always have a briefcase with a first aid kit for dogs behind you, to be able to cope with any eventuality.
  • As far as possible, avoid sudden or abrupt maneuvers with the vehicle
  • Apply sun shades to the windows.
  • Ensure good natural air circulation and avoid turning on the air conditioning or heating instead.
  • Always carry sufficient fresh water, foldable travel drinking bowl and dry kibble (also depending on how long the journey is).
  • Take care to break up the journey with more breaks (at least every hour, hour and a half) especially for long journeys. During the stops, let your furry dog down to take a walk and stretch his legs, do the needs, but also quench his thirst or have a small snack.
  • To avoid motion sickness, never travel as soon as your dog has eaten . It is important to leave at least 2-3 hours after the last meal before setting out.

By following these precautions the trip will be pleasant for the whole family! Both for us humans and for our dear four-legged friends.