It’s a fact that, like people, your dog will get older and may struggle to get into or out of your car and you will need to consider how you are going to help him.
Dogs can also sustain injuries and ailments that can affect their mobility which can also impact their ability to jump and climb – making getting into the car difficult.
If you are able to then carefully lifting your dog into the vehicle, supporting his hindquarters, is the safest option. Should your dog be large or you are unable to lift him then you may wish to consider using a ramp or steps that have been designed for dogs to climb in and out of cars.
Related guides: This article supports our Travelling with a Spaniel hub. For joint comfort and safe travel setup, see:
How do I get my dog into the car if he can’t do it himself?
Try to encourage your dog to get his front paws onto the bumper or threshold of the boot or tailgate, this will take some of his weight making it easier for you to lift him.
Carefully support the rear of your dog using both hands and forearms and then gently but swiftly lift him into the car.
Make sure that you don’t put your hands under your dog’s stomach and always support him by his backside and the top of his hind legs so that you don’t injure him.
Remember to lift carefully using the power of your legs rather than your back – so that you don’t injure yourself.
Try a dog ramp or set of dog stairs
This might sound bizarre but you can get dog ramps and stairs that have been specifically designed for use with vehicles.
These ramps typically fold up so that they can fit into the rear of the car and are often coated with an anti slip material or coating, making things easier and safer for your dog.
Most ramps and stairs are designed to be ‘universal’ as opposed to being designed for specific makes or models of cars and you will need to check to ensure that any ramp that you like will work for your vehicle while providing a gradual slope.
Look for a ramp or stairs that are lightweight, will fold up and that is strong enough to support the weight of your dog when he is getting into the car..
Final words
If your dog is struggling to get into or out of your car then there are many ways that you can help him.
Old age or injury does not need to prevent your dog from enjoying outings in the car whether it is just for the ride or to go for a nice walk at his favourite spot.
With careful handling or by using a ramp or stairs, your dog can still experience the fun of car journeys.