The Rolling Realm of Chaos: Taking Your Pug on a Road Trip
There’s nothing quite like the open road, snacks at arm’s reach, your playlist on shuffle… and a screeching, spiralling pug launching itself at the window like a caffeinated hedgehog.
But travel we must—and with the right tricks up your sleeve, even the rowdiest pug gremlin can be transformed into a relatively dignified travel companion.
Step 1: The Great Car Entry (a.k.a. Bribery & Betrayal)
For some pugs, getting into the car is pure joy. For others, it’s like being abducted by aliens. Either way, you’ll need:
A tasty lure (cheese, chicken, or the coveted sock they tried to eat earlier)
Calm encouragement (and the core strength of a gymnast if lifting is involved)
A harness that clips into the seatbelt—no free-range goblins allowed
Loose pugs can become projectiles. And worse: backseat screamers who launch themselves into the front with the elegance of a cannonball.
Step 2: Containment & Chaos Management
Once in the car, the transformation begins. The pug becomes a blend of:
Interior designer (shredding your upholstery)
Opera singer (screaming with unrelenting conviction)
Philosopher (staring mournfully into the distance as if questioning all existence)
Here’s how to maintain order:
Harnessed in a secure seatbelt adapter or soft crate—not your lap (unless you're into illegal pug-assisted driving)
Keep chew-proof toys on hand—bonus if they squeak (just loud enough to distract, not break your soul)
Line the seat with a blanket or towel, preferably one you don’t love
Pack water, treats, and a stash of wipes—because pugs leak
Optional: Sunglasses and a calming playlist to drown out existential yowling.
Pro Tips From the Driver’s Seat of Doom
Tire them out with a walk before takeoff—burn that gremlin energy
Avoid feeding right before the trip unless you're fond of surprise vomit
Talk to them as you drive—yes, like a slightly unhinged chauffeur
Never leave them unattended in a parked car, not even “for a sec”
Remember, a screaming pug isn’t protesting the trip—they’re auditioning for West End. Applaud their commitment, but drive safe.
Destination: Slightly Less Unhinged
Eventually, you’ll arrive. Maybe your ears are ringing, maybe you’ve lost a flip-flop to the backseat void, but your pug is wagging and thrilled to explore.
Give them praise, water, sniffs, and snuggles—they’ve earned it. And so have you.
Safety First! It’s quite often I take my dogs out in the car, and like most dog owners, I want to make sure they are as safe as they can be.
Originally I used the the harnesses that go around the head rest, but then I found these.
There’s a slight bungie section to these that worries me when I read it, however having used them, I see the benefit, and see that it moves only slightly, just enough to take out the initial pull.
I love that these have the option of using a clip on the isofix (my preferred choice), or the seatbelt clip.
The donut bed. You’ll have seen there are so many options for this type of bed, several of which I have purchased and regretted. This is the only one I’ve purchased that has stood up against the dogs and the washing machine, which is why I recommend it.
These are fantastic for your dog to snuggle into, and can help with any anxiety, which is why I now use them as a base on car trips (and because Roo eats any other beds/seats I put in there).
The size I have for my pugs is the 60cm one. It is beige, but any time I take a picture of it, it seems to appear somewhat pink!
