University of Illinois Extension

What You Should Do

  1. Leave the dog alone.
    • Dogs will often view the car as their territory and may feel protective of it.  This may cause the dog to bark or get upset.
  2. If it is a hot day (72° F or warmer), tell an adult right away.
    • A car can heat up quickly on a warm day even if the windows are down.  This can become dangerous for a dog very quickly.