So you’re getting ready to travel with your dog in the car but first you want to know Can you travel with your dog in footwell of the car? Trust me you’re not the first to ask this or be the first to try this.
But it’s not recommended for big dogs if you have a small dog that can fit on your lap and most importantly actually fit in the footwell then yes this will be fine.
If you have a big dog and your driving on your own then it’s best to place your dog in the car boot with a dog guard so he or she can’t jump over the back seat and distract you and this way your dog will be secure.
Dog in footwell of car
Now there’s no law that says you can’t travel by a dog in the footwell of the car but your dog cannot distract you while you driving or injure you or themselves, So your dog will have to suitably be restrained.
If you have someone, a friend maybe that is traveling with you and can sit in the passenger seat while holding your dog then this should be fine.
It’s always good to have a bit of food with you just to reward your dog with good behavior.
One thing you can try is the classic knotted chewy bone this works great for dogs that can’t keep still when traveling in a car.
Giving your dog this bone should keep them busy for a while and as a result, won’t become a distraction while you’re driving, something we will talk about in more detail below.
However, this might not work with every dog but give it a try and see if it works with yours.
Traveling with your dog in the footwell really depends on the size of your dog, if you have a large dog then it’s better to have them travel in the boot or rear seat.
Other Sources:
- Learn How To Eliminate Bad Behavior In Your Dog
- Transform Your Dog Into A More Obedient, Healthier & Happier Pup
Dog footwell restraint
If you traveling on your own and you are driving then again your dog will need to be restrained, the best way to do this is to use a dog harness that has a handle on the back.
This is where you can thread a seatbelt through the handle to keep your dog secure, and won’t be a distraction while driving.
Not only that, but your dog will be “safe” if you break hard all of a sudden.
Dog harnesses will keep your dog secure and they are well padded for comfort so at the same time this will protect your dog from any sudden braking or maneuvers in the car.
Whether you’re going on a long road trip or for a short drive with your dog it can be a lot of fun.
However, this can pose a lot of safety risks, and if your dog is unrestrained in the car and there is a collision or any sudden braking, the force of the collision can cause serious injury to the dog and to any passengers.
So it’s always best and safer to have your dog is fully restrained in the car just to be on the safe side because it’s not worth the risk. You can never be too careful and the loss of a pet can be heartbreaking for any dog owner.
If you don’t have a dog harness already and you are not sure where to start here are two articles below regarding dog harnesses,
where you can get a more in-depth look at the features and benefits some of these harnesses have and which one is best for you.
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- 7 Ways To Secure Dog In Car With Leash
- Top 8 Truelove Dog Harness Review
- Top 5 Rabbittgoo Dog Harness Review
Rules of the road
Depending on which country you are from they are some rules you need to take into account when traveling with your dog in the car.
For anyone that live’s in the UK or is planning on traveling to the UK with their dog then you need to be aware of the rules of the road when traveling with a dog in a car.
The Highway Code Rule 57: When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.
If your dog is unrestrained and is moving around this can also cause you to take your eyes off the road and that could be considered to be driving ‘without due care and attention and if you were to get into an accident as a result of being distracted the penalty can be severe.
Traveling with your dog in the car
when going on long road trips and traveling with your dog in the car whether that’s in the footwell, backseat, or boot, you want to make sure you have plenty of water this is very important.
Dogs can get hot fast in cars especially in the summer so travel with the windows at least halfway down unless you have air conditioning which will be even better.
Always pack everything your dog needs here’s a short list below.
- Dog carrier
- Plenty of Water
- Snacks (chewy bone)
- Dog water & food bowl
- Dog blanket
- Cleaning supplies
- Dog seat cover for any accident’s
Make sure you always stop for breaks, Your dog will need to do its business at some point especially if your dog is drinking or eating a lot, this is where you need cleaning supplies.
At the same time, you should let them stretch their legs for a while, This will help them feel more comfortable traveling in the car.
If you are planning on a long road trip with your dog then here’s an article below that goes into more detail.
There you find some very useful tips and helpful information when traveling on the road with your dog.
“But” always remember never under any circumstances leave a dog alone in a car especially in the summer on a hot day as this can be fatal for your dog.
in Summary
If you need to go to a shop for anything or need to leave your car for any reason even if it’s just for a couple of minutes you should always take your dog with you.
So we hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and it’s answered some of your questions you may have had for can you travel by your dog in the footwell of the car? also don’t forget if you want to read another article about (how to road trip with your dog) Simply click on the link above to view.
