You’ve mapped the route, stocked up on snacks, and made the perfect playlist… but there’s one passenger who might not be as road-ready: your dog.
Whether your pup loves the car or turns every trip into a whine fest, hitting the road together doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few tricks (and some good treats), road tripping with your dog can be a blast.
Here’s how to keep tails wagging from the back seat to the bushwalk.
1. Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect
If your dog’s idea of a road trip is a 3-minute drive to the vet, start small. Take a few practice runs around the block, then gradually extend the time. Pair these little drives with something positive — a visit to the park, a puppuccino, or yes, even a cheeky Ferguson’s Treato when you arrive.
💡 Bonus tip: Play your road trip playlist during these trial runs so your dog starts to associate those road trip vibes with good things. (Yes, your dog probably loves your favourite song too.)
2. Make the Back Seat a Vibe
Your pup deserves more than just the boot of the car. Bring a comfy bed or crate, their favourite toy, and something that smells like home.
And don’t forget the essentials: leash, poop bags, water bowl, wipes, and a durable treat or toy to keep their mind busy when the road gets long.
3. Take Sniff Stops (Not Just Toilet Breaks)
We all need to stretch our legs on a long drive — and dogs need a sniff. Plan regular pit stops where your pup can get out, move around, and explore. Bonus points if you choose somewhere more exciting than a highway servo.
4. No One Likes a Nauseous Travel Buddy
Some dogs get queasy, especially if they’re anxious or new to road trips. Feed them a few hours before the trip or wait until you’ve stopped for the day. Keep fresh air flowing by cracking the windows, and try to avoid bumpy backroads. If nausea persists, a quick chat with your vet might help — no one wants to clean up car sickness in a rental!
5. Safety First
If your dog likes to climb onto your lap mid-drive or bark at every passing cyclist, make sure they’re secured. A dog seatbelt harness, crate, or car barrier will keep them safe and let you focus on the road.
6. Expect the Unexpected
Dogs bring their own kind of chaos. Your carefully planned itinerary might get delayed by a surprise detour to a dog beach or a 20-minute cuddle break in a scenic car park — and that’s okay. Road trips with dogs are about the memories, not the schedule.
So keep it flexible, and embrace the muddy paws, backseat snoozes, wind-in-the-ears moments.
Final Pit Stop
Road tripping with your dog might not be as smooth as flying solo, but they’re definitely more fun. With a little prep, a bit of flexibility, and a well-stocked treat pouch, you’ll both be cruising in comfort.
So load up the car, cue the tunes, and hit the road. Your co-pilot may shed, drool, and steal your sandwich — but we promise, they’ll make the journey unforgettable.
What’s your must have item when road tripping with your pup? Let us know in the comments so we can build the ultimate dog packing list!
2 comments
Travel tip- bring water, some shared bowls at parks are full of bacteria, use your own clean water and your dogs own bowl to avoid tummy problems. My dog travels in my campervan with me, and I have been travelling on and off in motorhomes and campervans for 14 years, their own designated sleeping spot is great, even better if they can look out your motorhome window when camped. Ensure your dogs microchip details are up to date, and a collar with your phone number embroidered on it will get your dog back to you quicker if the unexpected happens and he wanders off.
Bottled water is a must. Nothing worse than a dog with an upset tummy. Also antihistamines for the occasional grass allergy.