When traveling with dogs it’s always important to consider safety first. Options include crating your dog, using a pet safety belt, or lining the boot of the car with towels and blankets. It’s important that your dog is not bouncing around in the car or interfering with the driver. If possible it’s good to have passengers in the back seat to keep your dog calm and still. Neither of my dogs has ever been crated and they get very upset over being restrained, so While it might not be ideal, I always have someone sitting in the back seat with the dogs to help keep them calm. Toyota has been kind enough to let me drive a 2014 Sienna XLE for a few months, and the extra room we have in the van has makes it much easier to travel with the dogs.
Last Tuesday I took Lilly into Augusta for grooming at Petco. The leg room in the Sienna is so generous, that I was able to fit one of our dog beds onto the floorboard behind the driver seat. Lilly is usually very hyper during car rides, but having her little bed to lay in made her feel safe and secure. It was nice to see her so relaxed during the ride. It was a real change from our previous travels.
Can you believe there is enough leg room in the Sienna to fit a medium size dog bed?
Lilly has such a thick coat of fur. I let it get extra long since we’ve had a colder than normal winter, but it was definitely time for a trim. It will grow back quickly.
Neither of my two dogs travels well in the car. Winston gets car sick rather quickly and Lilly usually stays excited for the entire ride. There are a few things that I always bring when traveling with dogs.
towels and blankets
wet wipes
water bowl and fresh water
chew toy
It’s important to not feed your dog right before a trip. I feed Winston and Lilly a few hours before a car ride, to give their tummies a chance to settle. Since there is always still a risk of car sickness, I put towels down on the floor of the vehicle and keep extra towels and wet wipes on hand. I love that the leather seats in the Toyota Sienna XLE are easy to clean. Also, the dogs pant a lot in the car and are always thirsty by the time we have reached our destination, so I bring along a bowl and some bottled water for them. Having your dog’s collar, leash, and current rabies tag is important for pit stops along the way.
Lilly looks so different without all that fur. She was being such a camera ham for my daughter who was taking pictures from the back seat with her iPad. In my other vehicle it would have been impossible to get a decent pictures while moving. The Sienna has such a smooth ride, allowing for clearer pictures and an opportunity to better document our road trips.
The extra room the Sienna provides, along with the smooth ride, makes it easier for us travel with the dogs. Lilly’s trip for grooming last week went so wonderfully smooth. She was incredibly relaxed, and I didn’t have the distraction of worrying about her. I have a feeling that Winston and Lilly will be included on many more road trips in the coming months while I am driving the Toyota Sienna.
Do you have any tips for traveling with pets?
Follow along with @aboutamom on Twitter and Instagram over the next few months to catch all the #SiennaDiaries fun.
I am participating in a sponsored campaign with Toyota. Al thoughts and opinions are my own.
Related articles
Tammy says
February 16, 2014 at 1:26 PMWhat a great feature to have so much leg room! Good news for families with tall teenagers 🙂 We drive smaller vehicles and the one downside to that is not being able to get larger things in the rear even with the seats down in our mini-SUV we can’t often transport big items.
Robin Gagnon says
February 16, 2014 at 1:51 PMOur dog is big & old, so she doesn’t go for rides unless really necessary. When she was younger her sister was sort of a spaz in the SUV, so we finally just decided they would stay home & hang out.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
February 16, 2014 at 2:12 PMHaha – I can’t believe that’s the same dog. She looks soooo different! Speckles has always been pretty good about traveling in the car but having their bed definitely makes the ride more enjoyable!
CrazyMom a/k/a Melanie says
February 16, 2014 at 2:52 PMLove the leg room.. I totally hear you, it’s a challenge to take my pups for a ride, they love it.. BUT drives me crazy…LOL.. love the idea to put the dog bed in, wonder if it fits in my mini van, too.. if not I may have to switch to the Sienna ;-)..loved your pictures
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
February 16, 2014 at 3:26 PMLove the sienna and those are some cute doggies.
Nicole Brady says
February 16, 2014 at 4:18 PMOne of our dogs was great at traveling and would even scratch at the door when he needed to go out. It was awesome! When we had long trips, we would throw their pillows on the floor and they would get comfortable. I miss having dogs but I’m not emotionally ready to adopt again.
Ellen Christian says
February 16, 2014 at 4:56 PMWhat a little cutie pie. We have cats. I’m not sure they’d like to travel.
HilLesha says
February 16, 2014 at 5:00 PMAwwww, she is adorable!
Katie says
February 16, 2014 at 6:55 PMthey look so comfy! I have cats, and they don’t exactly enjoy the car. I do let one of them have the run of the car, though, because he does much better that way than in his crate.
Sharon says
February 16, 2014 at 8:22 PMWhat a cutie you have! Our yorkie loves traveling with me to get the kids dropped off to school. Never thought to make him a bed area. Great idea!
Jennifer Soltys says
February 16, 2014 at 8:26 PMAWE!!! I love her haircut!! We have a pet car seat and I swear when I put him in it he thinks he cannot come out. It’s so funny but definitely makes for a lot safer travel.
Jennifer H says
February 16, 2014 at 9:37 PMI can’t believe that’s the same dog. She does look so different. Very cute. And sounds like a great ride.
Jessi Ramsay says
February 16, 2014 at 10:16 PMWhat a cute little dog. I love the new haircut! I’ve always had trouble getting our dog to enjoy a car ride. He is a very big dog and doesn’t really like it. He always barks at red cars.
Rachel says
February 16, 2014 at 10:42 PMThat is so awesome. We have two big dogs and they both get car sick so they only go for rides when they absolutely have to.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
February 16, 2014 at 11:10 PMHa! Our dog just curls up in the floor and sleeps … I’m sure he’d love room for his bed!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
February 16, 2014 at 11:42 PMSuch a cutie! Sounds like a wonderful vehicle and I seriously hope we can get one, one of these days.
Amanda says
February 16, 2014 at 11:49 PMYour dog is so cute! These are some great tips for traveling with dogs.
Heather @ It's a Lovely Life! says
February 17, 2014 at 12:07 AMOh my gosh she is so cute! She looks so different with the new hair do!
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
February 17, 2014 at 12:34 AMWe travel everywhere with our bulldog, so space to accommodate him is definitely a consideration when buying a new vehicle.
Janet W. says
February 17, 2014 at 6:20 AMThose are the cutest pictures! That is the perfect place for that little dog bed so your dog can ride comfortably and safely in the car with you! Precious!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
February 17, 2014 at 8:10 AMWe recently got a puppy so I’ll be watching the suggestions and tips for traveling with pets. I’m most curious about pet-friendly accommodations and how they’ve worked out.
Jenn @comebackmomma says
February 17, 2014 at 9:01 AMOMG. How cute are they? We have a new puppy and we are lucky that she travels quite well. For longer trips we put her with a pillow in her crate in the back of the car. For shorter trips she has a blanket in the back of the car. I love the pillow beds you show in this post.
Dee says
February 17, 2014 at 9:06 AMWhat a cutie! We only have one big dog, but lots of family living around us so she never comes along.
Tina Ashburn says
February 17, 2014 at 9:22 AMYour doggie looks like she’s having such a great time!! I crate Abbie. I’ve done it since the moment I rescued her. She jumps right in and she’s ready to do. If we were in an accident she would be contained within the crate. It might not save her life, but at least she wouldn’t be bounced around within the van and she wouldn’t run off out of fear.
Scott @ SahmReviews.com says
February 17, 2014 at 10:01 AMWe’ve always used small carriers (soft-sided) for our small dogs. Seems safer in quick stops and you can strap the belt through the handles to keep them from flying off the seat.
Debbie Denny says
February 17, 2014 at 10:14 AMYour dog is adorable. Our BabyGirl does not travel well. It is about all I can do to get her to vet.
Debi says
February 17, 2014 at 10:15 AMShe looks like she is enjoying her ride.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
February 17, 2014 at 10:31 AMYou know, we just got our dog in December and have taken him on small trips, but never really thought about when we go on longer road trips. Thanks for great info!
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says
February 17, 2014 at 10:41 AMAhhhh! Your dog is adorable! I have a little white dog too!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
February 17, 2014 at 11:14 AMFirstly, if you hadn’t told me that was the same dog, I never would have known it! LOL That really is a nice feature to have all that space, be it for pet friends or family and friends!
Brandi says
February 17, 2014 at 11:55 AMWe don’t travel with our dog too much. He’s a big dog, and takes up a lot of room. Plus, since his surgery it is hard on him taking long rides. He starts hurting from being cramped and not able to move about to work out the stiffness.
Jennifer says
February 17, 2014 at 1:14 PMMy doggies don’t travel with us but that’s nice to know how much space the Sienna has.
Sandra says
February 17, 2014 at 1:20 PMI love this! Your dogs are adorable! I can’t wait to get one, once my kids are older.
francine @ onlinemarketingmuscle.com says
February 17, 2014 at 3:04 PMYour dogs are so cute!
brett says
February 17, 2014 at 3:27 PMtobey does ok in the car but pants a lot and gets wicked thirsty. we always have a collapsible water dish for him anyplace we go
Jennifer B says
February 17, 2014 at 3:45 PMSuch cute pics! I have a toy poodle and she is so much fun to travel with…so easy and is such a good girl on long trips!
Marcie W. says
February 17, 2014 at 6:33 PMIt looks like the Sienna would have plenty of rear cargo space for our 66lb pit bull/boxer mix. Thankfully he sits so nicely while riding in the car.
Pam says
February 17, 2014 at 6:45 PMOur dog, Rio, loves to go for a ride and is happy to sit in the back seat when we place him back there. Lilly is so cute. Love those bows!
DawnC says
February 17, 2014 at 8:50 PMI love dogs and miss owning one. Your fur babies sure are cuties!
Mama to 5 Blessings says
February 17, 2014 at 8:52 PMSo cute! We do not have any pets because of my daughter’s asthma but I like their doggie beds. Looks comfy!
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
February 17, 2014 at 9:17 PMAw, those little faces! I have been debating getting a puppy, and posts like yours just about put me over the edge! It won’t be long, I’m sure…
Beeb Ashcroft says
February 17, 2014 at 9:30 PMYour doggies are so cute! That car looks like it is nice and spacious for everybody.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
February 17, 2014 at 10:11 PMThat is a lot of leg room! Our pooch just lays at our feet (he’s very good in the car) sometimes crawling beneath the seats to ‘visit’ other family members 🙂
Danielle @ We Have It All says
February 17, 2014 at 11:54 PMAwww, I love the after picture, hhow cute!! Great tiips on traveling with dogs… I always just let mine hop in the back but they were pretty crazy.
Dawn says
February 18, 2014 at 2:47 AMYour little dog is really cute!! And your doggies also looks very comfy!
Kelsey Apley says
February 18, 2014 at 9:48 AMAw what cutie pies!!! Our little Ruger loves to go on rides, short ones though. After awhile he gets antsy, hahaha!
Vonnie says
February 18, 2014 at 9:49 AMAdorable dog! I love that there’s a lot of room in that backseat. My 5 ft 11 in daughter and son would love all that leg room!
[email protected] Food Ramblings says
February 18, 2014 at 10:04 AMwhat an awesome doggie bed- perfect for the car!!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
February 18, 2014 at 10:57 AMYour pups are cute! I have no advice. I’ve only traveled with my cats once and we crated them.
Cara says
February 18, 2014 at 1:14 PMMy dog hates getting in the car. When I take her somewhere she just lays down on her bed and stares at me. She’s a little crazy. Your dogs are precious!
Danyelle Lorenzo says
February 18, 2014 at 5:21 PMI can’t seem to get out shihtzu to stay in one spot while in the car. We have to crate him with all the luxuries we can stuff it with. I’m just nervous if we get into an accident, he needs to be as stable as possible.
Lisa Jones says
February 18, 2014 at 6:56 PMLooks Like Two Different dogs!!! She So Pretty!!
Julie Wood says
February 24, 2014 at 11:53 AMYou have a picture of your dog with long hair and then with short hair. Your dog is so cute! I always make sure to have my dog with someone in the back seat to make sure he does not get thrown. It is so important to keep the dog safe while traveling, and taking the dog bed like you did is a great thing to do.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
February 26, 2014 at 11:29 AMOur 5 month old lab hates riding in the car. He’s just a big baby LOL!
Tammy S says
February 27, 2014 at 1:14 PMMy mom needs one of these for her car. I hate knowing that she drives with her dog in the car just sitting where ever. I will have to check into getting her a bed for her car. It doesn’t have as much room as the Sienna but maybe someday.
alicia k (Petite Pilates Pixie) says
March 2, 2014 at 8:21 AMi love that little seat! keeps their hair in too, so it doesn’t spread all around the car
Toni says
March 2, 2014 at 7:57 PMI was too scared to put our dogs in the van when we had it lOL. She is a doll. Our’s don’t travel too well, they get so jittery.