Every time I thought about putting Max, my big Labrador, in the car for a trip, I’d get a bit nervous.
Not because he didn’t like it — quite the opposite! Max loves going out.
The problem was that, at first, he didn’t understand that he had to stay calm and secure in his spot.
He’d try to jump into the front seat, stick his head out the window constantly, sometimes slip on the backseat… in short, it was a situation that could easily lead to an accident.
That’s when I realized: traveling with a dog is amazing, but it requires preparation and training, especially with large dogs.
If you’ve got a big pup at home and dream of taking them on the road with you, here are some practical tips that worked for me — and might work for you too!
Why train before the trip?
Besides obvious safety reasons, training helps your dog to:
- Reduce stress about getting in the car
- Get used to the movement and noise of the road
- Understand that the car isn’t a playground, but a place to stay calm and safe
Step 1: Getting your dog used to the car
The first step is to let your dog explore the car, even while it’s off.
With Max, I started by letting him sniff around, climb in, sit for a while, and get a treat. I didn’t even turn the engine on.
I did this for about three days. Then, I started turning the car on, letting him hear the engine and feel the AC — without going anywhere.
Little by little, he began to understand that the car was a safe, positive place.
Step 2: Short trips first
Once he was comfortable inside the car, I started doing short drives — 5 to 10 minutes, like to the park or a pet shop (always somewhere fun).
The goal was to make him associate the car with good experiences.
Don’t start with a long drive to the vet for a vaccine!
Max loved it once he figured out we were headed to the park. That made training so much easier.
Step 3: Safety inside the car
Once the habit was formed, the next step was teaching Max how to behave inside the car.
- What worked best was a dog seat belt, attached to a harness and clipped into the car’s buckle.
- You can also use crate carriers or backseat dividers, depending on your dog’s size and temperament.
- Never let your dog ride loose, on your lap, or with their head out the window! It’s dangerous and can injure their eyes or ears.
Extra tips that worked at home
- Avoid feeding your dog 2 hours before the trip, to prevent motion sickness
- Always bring water, a collapsible bowl, and waste bags
- Make stops every 2 to 3 hours for potty breaks and stretching
- Bring a blanket or toy that smells like home, to help them feel relaxed
- Keep the car well-ventilated and at a comfortable temperature
The result? Calm and happy road trips
Today, Max is a great travel buddy. He knows the car is part of the journey, settles in, naps along the way, and waits patiently for stops.
And that only happened thanks to consistency, patience, and love.
Training your dog to ride in the car isn’t just about behavior. It’s an act of love and responsibility.
Because when we teach with care, every trip becomes a joyful memory — for us and for them. 🐶🚗💚