Travelling with your dog
Travelling by road can be a stressful experience for dogs and it
is important that they feel safe in this environment. There are
many hazards on the road and the Kennel Club has compiled an
eleven point checklist on some of the important considerations
you should take before starting your journey.
- Gradually accustom your dog to car travel by taking your dog on
short journeys at first.
- Always ensure your dog has plenty of ventilation and shade in a
car and that fresh drinking water is readily available.
- Never leave your dog unattended in a car for long periods of
time, especially in hot weather.
- When taking your dog on a long journey, ensure you make regular
stops to exercise your dog. Remember always to clean up after
your dog in any public place.
- Ensure your dog is kept on a lead in all public places.
- Make sure your dog wears an identification collar and tag with
your current contact details. The Control of Dogs Order 1992
advices that any dog in a public place must wear a collar tag with
the name and address of the owner written on it. The phone
number is optional.
- It is highly recommended that your dog is microchipped and
registered with Petlog, the largest pet reunification scheme in the
UK, as this can prove extremely effective in locating a lost
pet. The Petlog Plus lost and found service can even alert
local vets and dog wardens when an owner SMS text messages where
their pet was lost.
- Train your dog not to bark or move around excessively whilst
your vehicle is moving, as this can be very distracting to the
driver.
- Transport your dog safely, preferably by using a special dog
guard, dog cage or canine harness.
- Ensure your dog is in good health before travelling. With pet
insurance, you can provide your dog with the best possible
treatment if an accident or illness occurs. Kennel Club Pet
Insurance ensures peace of mind for you and the best possible
care and protection for your dog.
- Ensure your dog is sociable and obedient. This can be done
through the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme, which is a fun and
enjoyable way of training your dog to be sociable and provides
essential advice on responsible dog ownership.