How To Safely Get Your Dog Into Your Car
There are three main ways to safely get your dog into your car. You can either use a dog car ramp, a dog car staircase or use a proper lifting technique. The safe lifting method is to place your dog’s front paws on the floor of your car and then cradle their hind legs into the car.
In this article I will go into detail about each method, the advantages and disadvantages of each method and also what types of dogs each method is more suited to so you can make an informed decision about which way is best for you and your dog.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting A Dog Into A Car
How can I get my dog to get into the car? The easiest way to get your dog to get into the car is to lure him in with a treat or their favourite toy. You can also try using a dog ramp or dog stair case as they might not like jumping in or being lifted into the car.
Why does my dog refuse to get into the car? Your dog may be refusing to get into the car because they get motion sickness or they are scared of the destination e.g. the vet. Your dog also might refuse to get in because of pain or because they are too small to jump in safely.
How do you get a stubborn dog into a car? The best way to get a stubborn dog into a car is to lure them in with a treat or with their favourite toy. Your stubborn dog may not like jumping into the car or you lifting them in so consider using a dog car ramp instead.
What do you do when your dog won’t get into the car? If your dog won’t get into the car, try luring them inside with a treat or with their favourite toy. Your dog may be reluctant to get in the car because they get motion sickness or feel claustrophobic when travelling.
Read Also: 12 Must Have Car Accessories For Dog Owners
How do I get a fearful dog into the car? The best way to get a fearful dog into the car is to lure them in with their favourite toy or with a treat. You can also consider using a dog car ramp or a dog stair case if they do not like you lifting them up into the car.
How do I get a large dog into the car? The best way to get a large dog into the car is to use a dog car stair case or dog ramp. You could also lift a large dog by placing their front paws on the floor of your car and then cradling their hind area while slowly lifting them up.
How do I get my dog into the car after surgery? The safest way to get your dog into the car after surgery is to put him in a dog travel crate and secure the crate on the back seat of your car. If you don’t have a crate, sit your dog on the back seat.
How do I get a heavy dog into the car? The best way to get a heavy dog into the car is to use a dog car ramp or dog stair case. It is not safe to lift a heavy dog into the car as it can cause back strain or other injuries.
1. Use A Dog Car Ramp
A dog ramp is just what it sounds like – a long piece of plastic with gripping on it at a gentle inclination between the ground and a car seat. It can help injured, senior or perfectly healthy dogs into a car. A dog ramp can also prevent dogs from getting joint injuries from jumping in and out of the car.
At first you may need to train your dog to walk up a car ramp with treats however after a while it will be second nature and a very fast and safe way to load your dog into your car!
Pros & Cons Of Using Dog Ramps To Get Your Dog Into Your Car
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| • Saves stress on your dog’s joint if he/she were to instead jump into the car • Very easy on your dog’s joints | • Need to buy extra equipment to get your dog into the car • Not all dog ramps are foldable |
Types Of Dogs A Car Ramp Is Suited To
A dog car ramp works for all breeds, sizes and ages of dog, however it is most suitable for older dogs who might have an injury, find walking up stairs too difficult and/or finds getting lifted stressful.
What To Look For In A Dog Car Ramp
- Easy To Store
- Folding Frame
- Good Grip
- Lightweight
- Durable
- High Quality Materials
- Adjustable Height & Angle
- Correct Weight Capacity
- Compatible With Your Car Model
- Will Be At An Appropriate Slope Gradient
My Top Suggestions For Dog Car Ramps
1. Gen7Pets Feather Lite Ramp for Vehicles
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2. PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp
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3. Pet Gear Travel Lite Bi-Fold Ramp
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2. Use Dog Car Stairs
A dog car staircase has the same purpose as a dog car ramp however it is at a steeper inclination with steps. They are generally more portable than dog ramps as they can be folded down into a small shape which can be stored inside your car boot. The only let down is that some injured dogs can’t use dog stairs as the action of climbing is too difficult.
Pros & Cons Of Using Dog Stairs To Get Your Dog Into Your Car
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| • Saves stress on your dog’s joint if he/she were to instead jump into the car • Foldable and hence very portable | • Need to buy extra equipment to get your dog into the car • More difficult to climb for senior dogs who have arthritis than a ramp as they might not be able to lift their legs up each step. |
Types Of Dogs Car Stairs Are Suited To
Dog car stairs are suited to most dog breeds and ages, however it is not suitable for all dog sizes. Due to the large open gaps between each step, a dog car staircase is more suited to medium or large dogs. A small dog could trip up/down a dog car staircase easier than a larger dog as it is more of a stretch between each step platform. This feature of dog car stairs also means that it is not so suitable for highly injured dogs as it may be painful going from step to step in comparison to a gentle inclination of a dog ramp.
What To Look For In A Dog Staircase
- Easy To Store
- High Quality Fabrics
- Folding Frame
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Adjustable Height & Angle
- Correct Weight Capacity
- Compatible With Your Car Model
My Top Suggestions For Dog Car Stairs
1. Niubya Upgraded Car Dog Stairs, Nonslip Foldable Metal Fram Pet Steps for Medium and Large Dog, Lightweight Portable Dog Ramp with Waterproof Surface
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2. Heeyoo Upgraded Nonslip Car Dog Steps, Portable Metal Fram Large Dog Stairs for High Beds, Trucks, Cars and SUV, Lightweight Folding Pet Ladder Ramp with Wide Steps can Support 150 Lbs
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3. Niubya Dog Steps for Large Dog, Lightweight Aluminum Foldable Pet Ladder Ramp with Nonslip Surface for High Beds, Trucks, Cars and SUV, Supports 150-200 Lbs
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3. Lift Your Dog Into Your Car Using Proper Technique
Lifting your dog into your car is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get your dog into your car. It does not require any extra equipment however it is extremely important that you use proper technique otherwise you could risk getting a injury yourself or for your dog.
The Safe Lifting Method For Small Dogs
With a small dog you should be able to scoop him/her up in one go and place him/her directly into the car. Just remember to adopt a good lifting technique which means bending your legs and putting the weight through your legs, not your back.
The Safe Lifting Method For Medium-Large Dogs
The safest method for lifting medium to large dogs into a car is to place their front paws on the floor of your car and then cradle their hind area while slowly lifting them up into the car. Cradling your dog’s hind area means gently supporting it. It doe not mean putting pressure on your dog’s abdomen or directly on their legs.
By giving your dog a gentle boost like this, it will also give your dog more confidence to climb into the car by him/herself as you are there if anything went wrong.
Pros & Cons Of Lifting Your Dog Into Your Car
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| • No extra equipment required • Saves stress on your dog’s joint if he/she were to instead jump into the car | • This method is hard on your body • Might cause stress on your back, shoulder, legs and arms |
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