FAQ: Carriers & Crates for dogs

Yes, on a trip the dog should wear a collar or harness with a tag showing your phone number. This matters especially in unfamiliar places where a frightened dog may run off, even if it is microchipped.

Clean up the vomit as soon as possible, dampen the area and use an enzyme cleaner that removes the smell from fabric. For future trips, lay a waterproof cover or absorbent mat and bring spare towels.

Not every dog accepts a crate straight away, so a car safety harness with a strap or a hammock may suit it better. You can still get it used to a crate gradually at home until it feels relaxed there.

Before the trip, let the dog sleep in the carrier at home for a few days and take it on a short drive. Check that the door closes firmly, the parts do not wobble and the dog can lie down comfortably.

Yes, but the dog must be secured separately in a crate or the boot, so it cannot injure the children in braking and they cannot pester it on the way. Do not seat the dog loose between child seats.

A large crate with a dog in it is safer carried by two people, holding the side handles or base rather than just the top handle. Keep the crate level so the dog does not slide around inside and get stressed.

A used carrier is fine if it is not cracked, the door and latches work and all the bolts are there. Wash and disinfect it thoroughly before use, as other animals may have been in it.

In Lithuania, pet passports are issued by authorised vets, usually at the same visit as microchipping or vaccination. Ask at your veterinary clinic.

Yes, even an adult or older dog can learn to like a crate, though it may take longer than with a puppy. Start with the crate open, with treats and meals inside, do not rush closing the door, and praise calm behaviour.

Yes, once the dog is used to it, an open crate becomes a resting place it can go to whenever it likes. Fasten the door open so it cannot swing shut unexpectedly and scare the dog.

Measure the chest at its widest point behind the front legs and the neck, then pick the size from the manufacturer’s chart. The harness should fit so two fingers slide under the strap and the dog cannot back out of it.

No, a dog on the driver’s lap gets in the way of driving, can block the pedals or wheel, and would be injured by a deploying airbag. Always carry the dog separately and secured.

The first trips should be short and end with something fun, such as a walk or game, not just the vet. Carry the puppy in a crate with soft bedding and praise it for calm behaviour.

On hot days it is better to travel early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler, and to stop in the shade more often. Make sure the dog has ventilation and water, and avoid long trips in the midday heat.

It is risky, as the engine could stall or the air conditioning fail, and the car then heats up quickly. A dog alone in a car can also become stressed, so it is better not to leave it.

Teach the dog to wait for a release word: open the door or crate only while the dog stays calm, and close it if it rushes forward. Until the skill is reliable, always clip on the leash before opening.

Rattling can come from a loose door, bars or the crate touching the boot walls. Strap the crate down, put a non-slip mat underneath and tighten loose parts, as the noise adds to the dog’s anxiety.

In the boot, the door usually faces the tailgate so the dog is easy to let out. On the back seat, place the crate with the door to the side or front so you can clip on the leash before opening it.

A light-coloured surface heats up slightly less in the sun than a dark one, but that does not protect the dog from overheating. Shade, ventilation and water matter most, not the colour of the crate.

Yes, soft folding crates are popular at shows and dog sports events because they are easy to carry and quick to set up. They suit crate-trained dogs, but in the car a hard crate is safer.