Trainline and Dogs Trust

The world of dog ownership has changed quite a bit in the last decade, with an increase in dogs in places where they weren’t previously seen, such as coffee shops, the office, and of course, on the train.

Whether you're commuting to a dog-friendly workplace or heading out for an adventure in the countryside, Trainline has partnered with Dogs Trust to make travelling with your furry friend a positive and stress-free experience.

After reading through the charity's hints and tips, make sure to take the quick quiz at the end of this page. Get all the questions right and register your details to receive a Tailcard for your canine companion. The Tailcard is available in a digital format that can be downloaded to your phone, or a physical version if you prefer, and shows that you and your pup understand the principles of polite train travel and are ready to get your 2025 travel off on the right track.

24%

of owners make daily

journeys with their dog

1 in 9

dog owners commute

with their canine companion

Two thirds

of people say their dog

dictates their travel habits

Travelling with your dog can be an enriching and joyful experience, exploring new places and spending quality time together. By planning ahead, practicing good etiquette, and being mindful of other passengers, you can set your dog up for success on public transport. Remember, every dog is different, so go at their pace, stay patient, and celebrate small wins along the way.

Some dogs are content with using public transport, and others can find it challenging, so before travelling on the train with your dog, consider their individual needs. Dogs who have had negative experiences with train travel or have not been gradually introduced can feel quite worried and will need patience to build their confidence.

It can be easy to miss the signs of when a dog feels worried, even if you know a dog well. So, brushing up on your dog body language skills before travel is an excellent idea, to understand how your dog is feeling in any situation.

Introducing your dog to travel

If travelling by train is new to your dog, it’s essential to introduce them slowly and positively to build their confidence.

Start by standing outside the train station for short periods of time and reward them with some praise or a tasty treat. If your station is close to your home, you could even incorporate passing by on your regular walk.
As your dog becomes more confident, build up to taking them on to the platform. Eventually, you can start taking the train for very short journeys, gradually building up to longer trips.
Make sure to carry out these introductions during quieter times, when there will be fewer passengers. If your dog seems to be worried at any point, take your introduction back a step, and go a little slower.

Dog travel skills

Before taking your dog on the train, it’s important they learn a range of skills to ensure safe travel.

Settle: on a busy or long train journey, it’s important that your dog is able to settle themselves.
Sit: a key skill for any dog, but particularly train travellers to help keep them safe on their journey.
Polite greetings: there will be other passengers on your train, so it’s important that dogs are able to keep calm and not jump up at people.
Leave it: when travelling, your dog could pick up objects or food which may be harmful, so ensuring they able to ‘leave it’ is an essential skill.

Planning ahead

Before you set off with your dog on your journey, take some time to plan ahead:

Check the weather. Hot weather can be dangerous for dogs, and during those hotter periods, it is often best to leave your dog at home where they can keep cool or seek other arrangements.
Consider the time of day you’ll be travelling. For instance, at peak times, it may be busy, and you’ll need to consider how this will affect your dog.
Check your journey for any potential disruptions or changes that could impact your dog.

What to take with you

Every responsible dog owner knows you don’t leave the house without poo bags, but there are other doggy bits that it's important to bring with you:

Water: Dogs need access to fresh water, so ensure you take some and a suitable container for them to drink from, even on a short journey.
Treats: Most dogs love a tasty treat, and by bringing them along you can make sure to reward them for calm behaviour.
Dog beds and blankets: We know the rules, no dogs on train seats! However, most prefer having something familiar and soft to settle on, like a portable bed or blanket.

Safety Tips

Making sure your dog's lead, collar, and harness are well-fitted and working is essential to ensure there are no mishaps when out and about.
Flexi-leads or longlines should be left at home, and a secure, fixed-length lead should be used.
It’s a legal requirement for dogs to be wearing an ID tag, and to be microchipped, so make sure those details are up to date, just in case!
Ticket barriers can be tricky, even for humans, so make sure to use the accessible ticket barriers when with your doggy travelling companion.
Escalators aren’t safe for dogs, so take the stairs or lift. If your dog is an appropriate size and ok with being carried, you could carry them on the escalator, as long as you’re not carrying more than one dog.

Thank you for reading Dogs Trust's hints and tips for safe train travel with your canine companion. Answer these quick questions, related to what you have just read, correctly to get your dog their very own Tailcard, showing both you and they are ready to take to the rails!

For more information about the rules of travelling by train with your dog our dog's on trains page.

If your dog needs a little extra support getting comfortable with travel or new experiences, Dogs Trust is there to help. Reach out to Dogs Trust Behaviour Support Line for free, expert advice on training and behaviour.

Tailcard FAQs

What is a Tailcard?

A Tailcard is a fun way to show that the dog owner has read and understood Dogs Trust’s hints and tips from the charity’s Canine Behaviour Experts, created for Trainline on how to travel safely with your dog. By answering all the questions in the Tailcard quiz set by Dogs Trust’s Canine Behaviour Team, you qualify to receive a digital or physical Tailcard.

What does a Tailcard get me?

While the Tailcard has no commercial value, it is a fun way to show that the dog owner has read and understood Dogs Trust’s hints and tips from the charity’s Canine Behaviour Team for Trainline on how to travel safely with your dog. The Tailcard can live in your digital wallet or as a physical card.

Do I need a Tailcard to travel on a train with my dog?

No, you do not need a Tailcard to travel on the train with your dog. The Tailcard is a fun indicator that you have read the Trainline and Dogs Trust hints and tips on travelling safely by train with your dog and answered all questions in the Tailcard quiz correctly.

Does the Tailcard have any monetary value?

No, there is no monetary value to the Tailcard, it is just a fun way to show that the dog owner has answered all the questions in the Tailcard quiz, created by Dogs Trust, correctly. This means they understand how to travel safely with their pooch by train.

How do I get a Tailcard?

To get a Tailcard, please visit the Trainline and Dogs Trust landing page, read through the hints and tips on safe travel with your dog and then answer the quick quiz questions set by Dogs Trust. You will then be prompted to add your details, and you will be sent your Tailcard. Tailcards are available in a digital format, that can be added to an Apple Wallet, or as a physical card which will be sent to you

Why is the Tailcard only downloadable to an Apple Wallet?

Alongside the downloadable Tailcard we also have the option to receive a physical card for those that do not have access to Apple Wallet.

When will I receive my Tailcard?

An email Tailcard will be sent to you within 5-7 business days. If you chose a physical card, please note due to high volumes requested, these are taking slightly longer to send out. We are on it and will be sending out asap. Anyone who applied before 9 March 2025 will receive their Tailcard before mid-April. Any applications after that 9 March will be sent before the end of April.

Why are Trainline and Dogs Trust partnering?

As more and more people travel with their dogs, Trainline wanted to make sure that owners can do so easily and safely. Whilst Trainline knows how to help travellers get the right train tickets for their chosen journey at the right price, Dogs Trust knows about how to safely travel with dogs! So, we teamed up with the experts to share with our users what they need to know for safe rail travel with their pooch.

Dogs Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (1167663), and in Scotland (SC053144), and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (09365971).

Tails on the rails!

Get rail travel ready and apply for a Tailcard

Dogs Trust hints and tips for happy travels!