Stay in the Car
In this lesson you will teach your dog to stay in the car until released. When your dog understands this behavior, it will keep him safely out of traffic, allow you to be ready before he gets out, and is helpful when you have multiple dogs to leash up.
There are three scenarios where you can use this lesson: if you place your dog in a crate in the car, if you use a seat belt harness, and if you allow your dog to be loose in the car, perhaps with a barrier between the back space and the seats.
Using a Crate
Have the leash ready. Issue your stay command, and open the door, praise and reward for staying.
Reward the stay as you open the door.
Put the leash on and issue your release word for the dog to exit the crate. If your dog tries to exit before you issue your release word, close the crate door.
Using a Seat Belt Harness
With the dog on the back seat in a seat belt harness issue the stay command.
Put the leash on and unbuckle him. Use the leash to keep your dog in position until you issue your release word to have him jump out of the car.
Loose in Car
We recommend your dog be secured using a crate or seat belt harness specially designed for use in the car. This helps protect your dog in case you are in an accident.
You may have a hatch back which gives the dog access to jump out before you can get your hands on him. If the dog does not stay until you put the leash on, leave the leash on and follow one of these methods:
Help From Another Person
Have a second person in the back seat holding the leashed dog.
Open the door, issue your stay (the person is restraining), praise the stay.
Take the leash and release the dog.
By Yourself
If you have no one to help you, you can use the leash through the back seat head rest as a pulley. Set this up before opening the door. You hold the leash, put pressure on it to restrain the dog.
Issue your stay, praise the stay.
When he stays, pull the leash completely to you and release the dog.
Suggested Command Words:
| Stay | Wait | Place | Whoa |
Tips
- Make sure your dog understands stay and his release word when beginning this lesson.
- Use a longer leash if using the “head rest pulley” system.
Related Lessons
Release Word – We show you how to communicate with your dog by teaching them a word that releases them from a stay or any trick.
Stay at the Door – We show you basic door manners that prevent your dog from busting through the door of the house or car.
Stay Proofing – Train your dog to stay in challenging situations.