Tips for Taking Your Dog on a Train

Taking your dog on the train can open up a world of adventures. But, for many dogs, and in particular those that are anxious or reactive, the unfamiliar noises, confined space and crowds can be too much. 

The good news is that with the right preparation, and by learning to read and respond to your dog's signals, you can transform train travel from a stressful ordeal into a manageable - and even pleasant! - experience for you both.

In this guide, we cover the rules you need to follow if you travel with a dog on the train, how to prepare for your trip, and our top tips for handling the train when you get there. 

Can You Take Your Dog on a Train?

In the UK, you can take your dog on the train. Most train operators allow you to travel with up to two dogs per person. 

However, most train operators have rules you must follow to travel with your pet. These might include:

• No more than two dogs allowed per passenger.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
• Animals not on lead must be placed in enclosed pet carriers.
• Dogs are not permitted on the seats themselves.
• Dogs usually travel for free, but a small fee can be added depending on your travel provider.
• Some companies require you to book your dog's place in advance.
• Dogs can be refused entry to the train (except assistance dogs) due to size or behaviour.
• If your dog disturbs other customers, you could be asked to leave the train.
  

Before travel, find the specific policies of the train provider you'll be travelling with. 

How to Prepare Your Dog for a Train Ride

Success can come down, in part, to the preparation you do before the trip.

1. Start Young

Start training your dog as young as possible. The best way to prevent puppies from developing a fear is to expose them to it from birth. In general, dogs that are safely and gradually exposed to many different sounds during their first 16 weeks are better able to cope with loud, frightening sounds than those that aren't. 

Experts often recommend that your dog has mastered some cues and skills before you take them on public transport: sit, lie down, settle, leave it, and focus. 

If your dog is past this developmental window, don't worry! While early socialisation is ideal, the principles of desensitisation and counterconditioning outlined in the next section are highly effective for dogs of any age. It may just require more patience and smaller steps.

2. Create Positive Associations

Help your dog build a positive connection with the experience and their new environment. You can do this by visiting the station and letting your dog watch trains come and go from a safe distance, rewarding them with a treat or some praise every few seconds for being calm. Or share sounds of train announcements and rattling carriages from your phone at a low volume, and pair the noise with their favourite treats or a game.

Desensitisation and counterconditioning are powerful behaviour modification techniques used to help dogs overcome fear. The goal is to expose your dog to the feared stimulus while pairing it with something positive, such as treats or playtime.

A similar approach is to reward relaxed behaviours, such as giving your dog a treat for settling down in busy areas. This can teach your dog to relax and settle without being asked.

3. Do a Pre-Travel Routine

A tired dog is often a calmer dog. Before you head to the station, ensure your dog has had a good, long walk. The goal isn't to exhaust them, but to work off some of that energy that could otherwise fuel anxiety on the train. Aim to finish the walk with enough time for your dog to properly settle down, have a good drink, and catch their breath.

Allow plenty of time for them to go to the toilet, too. A full bladder will only add to their discomfort during the journey. And if your pet suffers from travel sickness, the RSPCA recommends withholding food for 2 hours before travel. An empty stomach can help prevent nausea, but make sure they still have access to water to stay hydrated.

The key is to build a pre-travel routine that becomes familiar and reassuring for your dog. When they know what to expect and when that routine ends with calm, positive experiences, the journey ahead will be more than manageable. 

How to Travel with Your Dog on the Train 

With your planning done, here are our top tips for travelling with your dog on the train.

1. Prioritise Safety

Ensuring your dog is physically safe is just as important as managing their emotional state.

• Use a Harness or Collar: A secure collar or harness is non-negotiable. For anxious dogs who might pull or panic, a harness can offer more control and reduce the risk of them slipping out of their collar. An anti-slip martingale collar is designed precisely to provide gentle control without the risk of your dog slipping out.
• Use a Fixed Length Lead: Use a close-control or fixed-length lead on the train. Retractable leads can be difficult to control in tight spaces and may trip other passengers. A shorter lead keeps your dog close and safe when travelling on a train.
• Use Lifts: Escalators are dangerous for dogs' paws. Always use the stairs or lift when navigating stations, or carry a small dog if you must use an escalator. 
• Use Accessible Gates: Use the wide, accessible gate whenever possible to avoid your dog getting stuck or frightened in the standard ticket barriers. 

2. Choose the Right Spot

When you board, try to find the calmest area. The vestibule near the doors can be busy with people getting on and off. A quieter spot in the carriage, perhaps away from the toilets and luggage racks, can be better. Sit down, get your dog comfortable, and position yourself as a buffer between them and the aisle, if needed.

If you have a small dog, being at floor level can be overwhelming, so it’s OK to carry them and have them sit on your lap during the train ride. 

3. Keep Calm

Your dog looks to you for cues.  If you tell your dog off or behave in a way that is different from usual, this can make them feel more anxious and distressed. 

Stay relaxed and try not to get your dog excited. Research shows that dogs are highly attuned to human emotions, a phenomenon known as emotional contagion. If you're calm, it will be easier for your dog to mirror you. If your response is fear or frustration when your dog is scared, then this will only deepen their sense that the situation is unsafe.

4. Reward Good Behaviour

Throughout the journey, reward calm behaviour - a relaxed sigh, lying down, or simply looking at you - to reinforce that good things happen when they are calm. If your dog knows a few cues, you can also ask for a gentle "watch me" or "touch" to keep their focus on you rather than potential triggers. 

This approach is a form of counterconditioning, in which you change your dog's emotional response to a stressful environment by pairing it with something positive. 

5. Use a Hush Muff

Using ear or head coverings can help to reduce exposure to loud noises and calm your dog down. 

At Soothe and Settle, we have created The Hush Muff, an anti-anxiety head covering with a unique, registered design that fits snugly around your dog's head. As well as muffling the impact of loud noises when on the train, it wraps your pet in a gentle embrace for an additional sense of comfort.

When tested by a sound engineer, the Hush Muff was shown to reduce the sound pressure level perceived by dogs from loud noises by half, such as those from trains or busy stations. This significant reduction can bring the noise down to a level your dog can more easily tolerate, without leaving them unable to hear you or their surroundings. 

For dogs with travel sickness, the Hush Muff has been known to help with that, too. 

6. Try Calming Supplements

For very anxious dogs, some mild calming medication may provide short-term relief. However, natural herbs like chamomile, valerian root, and lavender also have calming effects and can be given as supplements to help an anxious or distressed dog remain calm.

When using herbal supplements for your dog, it's important to consult with your veterinarian first, especially if your dog has any underlying health conditions or is taking other medications. It's also important to use high-quality supplements from reputable sources to ensure they are safe.

These supplements come in various forms, including chews, tinctures, tablets and broth, that can be mixed with food. Always follow the dosage instructions on the product label and, as mentioned, consult your vet first. It's also wise to do a trial run at home a few days before your trip to see how your dog responds, as individual reactions can vary. 

Read our guide on How to Choose the Right Supplements for Your Dog for more information. 

7. Pack a Travel Essentials Kit

 Before you leave home, put together a small travel kit specifically for your dog. Include:

• Collapsible Water Bowl & Fresh Water: Offering water regularly helps prevent dehydration, and using water from home avoids any unfamiliar tastes that might put your dog off drinking.
• Poo Bags and Wipes: For obvious reasons and to clean up muddy paws or accidental spills.
• Familiar Blanket: Placing this on the floor creates an instant "safe zone" that smells like home, which can be incredibly reassuring in a strange environment. This works beautifully alongside the Hush Muff - one muffles the noise, the other provides a familiar scent and surface.
• Long-Lasting Chew or Toy: This can keep your dog occupied during longer journeys and provide a healthy outlet for nervous energy.

8. Listen to Your Dog

Despite your best preparations, your dog may still tell you they simply cannot cope. Learning to recognise the difference between manageable anxiety and genuine distress is one of the kindest things you can do. 

Recognising the early signs of anxiety allows you to intervene before they become too overwhelming. Look out for these common indicators:

• Body Language: A tucked tail, flattened ears, and a tense body posture. They might tremble or shake.
• Vocalisations: Whining, barking, or excessive panting when they haven't been exercising.
• Lip Licking and Yawning: These are often calming signals dogs use when they feel uneasy.
• Changes in Demeanour: A normally friendly dog might become withdrawn, or a relaxed dog might become overly alert and unable to settle.
• Attempting to Escape: Your dog might begin desperately trying to hide under seats, claw at the door, or pull frantically towards the exit.
• If you spot these signs, it might be time to get off at the next station to give your dog a break, moving to a different carriage if a quiet space is available, finding a seat in a less crowded area (even if it means standing) or, sometimes, ending the trip and going home. 

Always consider your dog's individual needs and go at their pace. Celebrating the small wins - a calm five-minute ride or a successful trip just one stop - builds confidence over time. And sometimes, choosing to stay home is its own kind of win.

Conclusion

Taking an anxious dog on a train requires a little more thought, but it is absolutely achievable. 

Remember, patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are crucial, in particular, as what works for one dog might not work for the other. However, through trying out the strategies outlined in this guide, you can help your dog travel on trains with ease.

Why not try out The Hush Muff? The original anti-anxiety muff is designed to help dogs prone to anxiety or nervousness in stressful situations, including travel, fireworks and other loud noises. It's available in over 10 different designs, and works for small to extra large dogs of all breeds - check out our size guide for more information on which one is right for you.