Meet the World’s First Driving Dogs: How Porter and Monty Took the Wheel for a Good Cause

When we think of skilled canine companions, we often imagine dogs fetching, swimming, surfing, or excelling in agility trials. But what if we told you that some dogs have learned an even more incredible skill—driving a car? This isn’t a scene from a fanciful cartoon, but a real-life event that took place in New Zealand, where two remarkable rescue dogs not only learned to drive but passed their driving test live on TV!

Let’s take a ride with Porter and Monty, the world’s first driving dogs, whose journey proved that rescue pets are capable of amazing things and deserve a loving place in every heart and home.

It All Began with a Mission

The story started with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Auckland, New Zealand. As an animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming animals, the SPCA faces a classic challenge: many people mistakenly view animals in shelters as “less than,” assuming they lack the intelligence, adaptability, or spirit of a family-bred pet. The aim of this extraordinary project was to overturn those assumptions once and for all.

To capture the world’s attention and showcase the incredible potential of rescue animals, the SPCA launched the “Driving Dogs” campaign. The idea was both wild and imaginative—teach rescue dogs how to drive cars, broadcast the attempt, and prove that even animals once abandoned or homeless can demonstrate remarkable intelligence and adaptability.

Meet the Drivers: Porter and Monty

From the SPCA’s Auckland shelter, two unique dogs were chosen for the challenge:

Porter: An old bearded collie cross, scruffy and wise, with boundless patience and a keen gaze.

Monty: A Giant Schnauzer cross, large but gentle, and motivated by curiosity (and maybe a treat or two).

Both dogs had been rescued from uncertain circumstances and brought to the shelter, where their real talents were about to emerge.

How Do You Teach a Dog to Drive?

Training a dog to drive isn’t quite as simple as tossing them the keys and telling them, “See you out there!” The challenge required creativity, patience, and a deep understanding of animal psychology.

Step 1: Conditioning and Fundamentals

Training started not even with real vehicles, but with a wooden cart. The handlers tethered the cart to a string and encouraged the dogs to steer, first teaching the idea of directional control. The trainers used clicker training, positive reinforcement, and step-by-step shaping so the dogs learned to hold the steering wheel with their front paws, nudge it to turn, and react to commands just as a human student would when learning to drive for the first time.

Step 2: Specialized Equipment

Obviously, a standard car wouldn’t work for a canine driver. The team at MINI New Zealand modified a vehicle with:

Special handles on the steering wheel and dashboard for easier paw-access

Custom accelerator and brake pedals positioned close together and close to the wheel, so a dog could press them with a paw

A gear stick within paw’s reach

Seatbelt harnesses for doggie safety

A speed limiter, ensuring the car couldn’t go faster than a person walking (to keep everyone safe)

Step 3: Real-World Practice

With their confidence on the training cart, Porter and Monty were introduced to the doggie car. Training sessions were kept short to ensure neither dog lost interest. They learned to start the engine, steer, accelerate, and even brake—all under the patient guidance of animal trainer Mark Vette and his team.

The final step? Follow their trainers’ commands as they walked in front of the moving car, offering cues for turns, stops, and accelerations.

Making (and Broadcasting) History

After eight weeks, the big test arrived. In front of a national—and international—audience, the world watched as Porter and Monty individually took a seat in the driver’s chair (strapped in with seat belts, of course). With their trainers giving directions, each dog put their training to work. They started the car, maneuvered it onto a New Zealand racetrack, and successfully navigated curves—steering, braking, and accelerating—just like a student on test day.

Porter became the first dog to officially drive a car, with Monty right behind him. Both completed their driving “exams” live on TV and the internet, earning the title of the world’s first dog drivers.

Why Driving Dogs Matter

To the casual viewer, the idea of dogs behind the wheel is pure novelty—funny, remarkable, and great for a viral video. But at its heart, the campaign had a vital message: Rescue dogs are just as intelligent, motivated, and loving as any pet. In some cases, their experiences on the street or in shelters have given them unique resilience and depth of character.

Mark Vette, the lead trainer, put it best: “You wouldn’t believe any dog could learn to drive a car on its own. But we’ve proven through our understanding of animal psychology and specialized training methods that intelligent creatures can adapt to a situation. It’s a reminder that every shelter animal deserves a second chance.”

Dogs like Porter and Monty aren’t second-class. They’re teachers, companions, and, occasionally, world record breakers.

A Surge in Shelter Dog Adoptions

The impact of the Driving Dogs campaign was immediate and profound. Across New Zealand and around the world, public perception of shelter pets shifted. People saw what an animal—once abandoned or overlooked—could achieve with trust, patience, and care.

Adoption rates for SPCA rescue dogs increased as families saw the hidden potential within shelter walls. Inspired by Porter and Monty, many people reconsidered what it meant to adopt a rescue animal, realizing that love, intelligence, and capability aren’t found in a pedigree but in the willingness to give an animal a chance.

Not Just Party Tricks—A Deeper Message

Sure, we’ve all enjoyed clips of dogs surfing or fetching beers. But watching a dog confidently steer a car—however slowly—connects on a special level. It makes us wonder: what else are animals capable of? How much possibility do we overlook simply because of prejudice or impatience?

Dogs like Porter and Monty remind us that, with the right support and a little kindness, any animal can surprise us. If they can drive a car, after all, imagine what else they might do for loving families everywhere.

The Road Ahead

The Driving Dogs initiative wasn’t just about cute tricks or breaking records. It was about changing hearts and saving lives. Every day, shelter animals are waiting for their own shot to prove themselves—whether by navigating a racetrack, learning a new skill, or simply curling up next to someone who loves them.

As we celebrate the amazing achievement of Porter and Monty, let’s remember what their journey teaches us: adopt, don’t shop; look beyond appearances to the heart and potential inside every animal. And if you’re thinking of bringing a pet into your family, maybe—just maybe—put a rescue at the top of your list. Who knows? You might just find yourself in the passenger seat next to a hero.

Thanks for riding along with us! If this story made you smile, share it and help spread the word: every animal deserves a second chance to zoom down the road toward a better life.

Full video :