The weather is finally improving, meaning you can start planning more exciting things to do at the weekends; satisfying that desire for vitamin D and fresh air! In honour of National Puppy Day (Wednesday 23 March), we’ve gathered some helpful tips for travelling with your beloved pooch.

Before you set off

Prior to setting off, it’s a good idea to take your dog out for a walk and get some exercise, especially for hyperactive dogs. It’ll help settle them down and make the rest of the journey more relaxing.

Is your dog used to travelling long distances? If not, the car might be an alien environment. Start taking your dog on short trips to get them used to being in a car, even if it’s just driving to the park or beach for a walk.

There are many ways to secure your dog for the journey ahead. It’s recommended that you secure the dog in either a crate, a harness attached to a safety belt, or a barrier. Your choice will depend on the size of your dog, their experience of travelling, other passengers and space in your vehicle. Choose the option that you and your dog feel most comfortable with, but remember, the most important aspect is to make sure the dog is safe and secure!

 Make sure you pack a travel kit before leaving. It should include:

• A dog bowl and some water.
• Bedding.
• Blankets (if it’s cold).
• Poop bags (you can never take too many).
• Make sure you pack some food or treats, but something that is likely not to come straight back up.
• Chew toys – they’re great for keeping dogs busy.
• Don’t forget their favourite toy or stuffed animal.
• If your dog has a habit of jumping in puddles and rolling in mud, some old rags in the boot are handy.

It’s important to make sure your dog has a tag with contact information on. Your dog might be the best behaved, but there’s always the chance something might spook them and they could get away from you. If you’re far from home, it’s essential that someone can identify your dog and contact you right away.

During the journey

Many of the tips for driving with a dog are similar to driving with children. We suggest you avoid driving aggressively! It may upset the dog and cause stress to them. If they’re upset for any reason, it’s important to remain calm as they pick up on your mood. Each dog is different, but sometimes comforting a dog can have the opposite effect and worry them further. You also need to have full concentration on the road!

Keep an eye on the temperature and try to let a little fresh air in. Dogs have a much lower threshold hold to heat than humans – if you’re starting to feel the warmth, then the dog definitely is!

Time for a break

Depending on the length of your journey, it’s a good idea to get some proper fresh air; stretch your legs and allow your dog to take on some water and food. Don’t overfeed them though as you don’t want any accidents on those new leather seats! Most Motos have large car parks with enough space to walk around; just be vigilant of your surroundings. If your dog needs a longer walk, visit to Driving With Dogs, they have a huge range of motorway based walks.

If you do stop at Moto for some tasty refreshments, don’t leave your dog in the car. It’s dangerous, particularly on hot days. They are susceptible to overheating and could find a busy service station car park distressing. If you have another passenger, we recommend you take it in turns to wait outside with the dog. Alternatively, tie them up in a safe place to a secure fixture. When getting your refreshments, make sure you’ve downloaded our app; with our daily deals you can save up to 40% of some of the UK’s top brands!

On a final note, there’s a good chance your canine friend needed to relieve himself during your pit stop; don’t forget to bag it and bin it!

Have a safe journey and we look forward to seeing you soon!