How To Secure a Dog In a 2 Berth Motorhome?

Going away on a family holiday wouldn’t be a family holiday if you didn’t bring the family dog with you, however being able to secure one inside a 2 Berth Motorhome is a challenge in itself, thankfully though it’s not impossible and means you won’t have to leave your furry friend in an expensive kennel or with a neighbour whilst you go away on holiday.

If you are looking to bring a dog with you it’s important that you have sufficient space and size for the dog to roam around in and relax, especially if you have a bigger sized dog. It’s important to also think about sleeping arrangements, where will it be sleeping? Could it fit inside your motorhomes garage if you have one, or would it be sleeping on the floor?

1. Use a Dog Seat Belt

Using a seat belt made for your dog makes the most logistical sense when driving around, these seat belts have buckets that fit directly into the buckles of your motorhome and have specific harnesses to keep your dog sat in the same position instead of roaming around the motorhome whilst you are driving around which could be hazardous for yourself and other road users.

2. Use a Harness

A harness is also a great way to keep a dog secure alongside the seat belt, it is less painful than a collar which could choke the dog out if you were to slow down drastically whilst on the move, they also give you more options in regards to moveability, however present an issue in regards to comfort for your dog, therefore it is important to ensure that the harness you choose is comfortable for your four legged friend.

3. Use a Dog Cage

A dog cage is a good way to keep your dog in one place whilst you are doing activities such as packing up or simply cannot keep track of where your dog is at a specific time or place, for example if you are to go out for a meal in a restaurant that does not allow dogs.

The cage can also be secured safely within the motorhome when driving around, this gives the dog a little more room to roam around in whilst also keeping them in one individual place, there are harnesses and seat belt adapters that work with some cages to secure them to the seats of your motorhome.

4. Use a Dog Carrier

A dog carrier is a suitable alternative to a cage, they are normally smaller than a cage and more compact as they are designed to transport dogs around in vehicles, it can also be secured in a seat or placed in an area where it will not move during your journey if you are driving.

What is the best way to secure a large dog in a motorhome?

The best way to secure a dog in a motorhome depends on what you are doing, if you purely want to secure the dog whilst you are cooking outside or whatever you may be doing whilst the door is open and you are outside, the best way would be to either keep it inside a cage, or to put it on a lead that is tied to something anchored to the base of the motorhome like a table leg.

This will give the dog freedom to move around without it escaping from the motorhome.

If you are driving, the best option purely depends on how well the dog copes with being on the move, if they are ok with it then a dog harness attached to a dog seat belt would work fairly well.

However if the dog is prone to stomach accidents on journeys and struggles with motion sickness then it is a better idea to keep it in a cage that is anchored down so it cannot move, this means it can do its business inside the cage and not onto the furnishings of your motorhome.

What Are The Laws On Dogs In Motorhomes?

Believe it or not but there are indeed laws regarding the transportation of dogs in cars and other automobiles, it states:

“When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”

There isn’t a specific penalty for this however you could be prosecuted for driving without due care or attention which holds a potential £2,500 fine and nine points, or a straight up driving ban, therefore it is incredibly important to ensure your dog is secured whilst driving using a harness, cage or doggy seat belt.

It’s also important to point out that if you do not secure your dog and you are involved in an accident, you may find that your insurer doesn’t cover you and invalidates your insurance as an animal roaming freely within a car can contribute to the cause of an accident. An unsecured dog in an accident can very quickly be thrown airbourne and become a missile, potentially injuring you and killing your dog in the process.

Conclusion

We fully back the idea of to bringing your dog on holiday with you, however advise you to follow the rules and laws to avoid harsh penalties going your way.

A dog seat belt and harness are two things that are vital and if you browse the forums many people recommend this method as the best method to transport your dog whilst on the road, afterall why wouldn’t you want your dog on holiday with you? There are so many holiday parks with specific long walks for dogs that you can bring them on, they are part of the family after all!

We wish you safe travels for yourself and your dogs on holidays, happy holidaying!