A Guide to Safe Off-Roading With Your Dog

If you have a passion for off-roading and want to include your dog - because, let’s be honest, they’re your best friend! - then you might want to think about the logistics and practicalities in more detail.

Most dog breeds love adventure and excitement, not to mention car trips, so it makes perfect sense to have yours with you when you go off-roading or green-laning. However, we all want our dogs to be safe when we’re out there, so this month we’ve created a guide to safe off-roading with your dog. 

Here you can find some top tips and advice so that you’re fully prepared to make the most of your time outdoors with your pup. Just remember that all dogs are different and the solutions you find here will need to be considered in line with your dog’s temperament, breed and size, as well as the type of off-roading you’ll be tackling

A quick check-up

First things first - get your dog to the vet for a full check-up. We all know that most dogs don’t love a trip to the vet, but it’s important to ensure your dog is fit and healthy.

Not only will a vet be able to advise on any flea and tick protection, but if you tell them you’re planning to take your dog off-roading, they can assess whether this is suitable for your dog and explain any extra pest protection you might need. The advice you may get could vary depending on where you are in the country and where you’re planning to take your canine companion.

Protect your pooch

Taking your dog out with you in the car is a little different to going off-roading. The nature of the bumpy terrain means there is a lot more risk involved if your dog isn’t secured and protected. 

To avoid any nasty accidents and to ensure they’re kept safe while you’re tackling obstacles, you might want to invest in a crate. These come specially designed for vehicles, or, you can opt for a barrier in the back of your vehicle to contain them and prevent them from getting tossed around while driving. It helps to kit these out with blankets and soft toys too, this keeps your dog comforted while you’re doing the driving.

The other alternative here is to purchase a special dog harness, kind of like a seatbelt for your dog to prevent them from being thrown around on rough courses. Always check any doggy seatbelt is suitable for your pet and can spread any force adequately.

Whatever you choose, seat covers might be good in this instance to help protect your upholstery from claws and dirty paws on a long journey with your dog.

Pack some essentials

Your dog might seem ecstatic to be going on a road trip at the drop of a hat, but they’re definitely going to need certain things further along the road. For this reason, you should pack accordingly, taking into account your dog’s needs and the length of time you’ll be away. Here is a quick checklist for things you might want to think about packing:

• Fresh water
• Food/treats
• Dishes for the above
• Leash
• Name tag 
• Waste bags
• Doggy first aid kit
• Blanket
• Toys

Check the rules

While your dog may be fine in your vehicle, there may be some parks and locations that don’t allow dogs to roam off the leash outside - or they may not be allowed on the site at all! 

Reasons for this may differ, but you should do your research and check the rules for any places you intend to go off-roading. This way you won’t fall foul of the law and your dog will be kept safe.

Trial runs

If you’ve never taken your dog off-roading before, it’s a good idea to do some small test runs locally. This way you can gauge whether your dog is comfortable and whether you are prepared for bigger journeys - you’ll certainly learn a lot and bond more before leaping into things unprepared.

You might find that your dog becomes too restless on longer journeys, which means you may need to stick to locations close by if you want to take them along. Again, it’s all about finding the right fit for you and your buddy.

General rules

Finally, here are some general guidelines and rules to follow:

• Never let your dog roam by themselves while you’re driving
• Don’t take your dog off-roading if they don’t like it
• Get your dog microchipped in case they get lost
• Always keep your dog close
• Never drive with your dog in your lap
• Keep an eye on temperatures for your dog’s comfort
• Never keep your dog in the bed of your truck when driving

If you’re preparing your 4x4 vehicle for an off-roading experience with or without your dog, at Milner Off Road we have some of the core essentials - including off-roading tyres, lift kits, brake discs, snorkels and more. 

Explore our full range and get your vehicle off-road-ready today. We provide tools and parts from leading suppliers and offer same-day dispatch to help you get what you need as quickly as possible. Plus, if you need any assistance or information, you can contact our specialist team of advisors.