One in three households in the UK now have a dog so many of you will no doubt be keen to take your four-legged friend with you on a car journey or two, so here are some top tips for safe and happy travels

Get your canine acquainted to your car

It’s not a bad idea to introduce the idea of car travel gently and as early on as possible. Giving your dog a choice when it comes to a new or scary thing improves their confidence long-term.

Start by acquainting your dog with the car itself. Encourage them to have a good old sniff around and allow them to get familiar with your vehicle’s scent. Open the doors and boot, allowing them to hop in and out as and when they choose. A yummy reward for their nose work will help build positive associations with the your vehicle.

Take things slowly

Taking several short trips with your dog will hopefully get them accustomed to riding in the car before you decide to try out a longer trip. It’s a good idea to gradually increase the length of these shorter trips to work up to long distance travel.

Keep your pooch safe

Keep your dog restrained during the ride by securing them in place with a harness, guard or crate. It simply isn’t safe for you or your dog if they are free to roam around the car while you’re driving. You will need to focus on driving, and your dog will likely distract you if they get excited or scared. While airbags are great for you, they can kill your pooch if you have an accident with them in the front seat, and because of this your dog should be in the back seat. By far the safest way for your pet to travel is in a carrier, making sure tha it is strapped to the seat with a seatbelt or other anchor. You should ensure that the carrier is large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down.

Bring some doggie snacks