One of the best feelings about being a dog owner is to travel with the dogs on a long holiday trip. While some dogs quickly adapt to a car, others will show signs of distress such as restlessness, whining, drooling, pacing, and even vomiting.
There are several reasons why a dog gets anxious while travelling in a car. The most common is motion sickness, where the dogs feel nauseated or even vomit during car rides. Secondly, dogs that aren’t used to car rides may get disturbed by the smell of the car and the sound of the engine. Thirdly, many dogs associate car rides with something negative, for example, going to the veterinarian.
In this blog, you will see seven highly effective tips that will help you remove the fear of car rides in your dogs. Here are those,
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Confirm No Dog Motion Sickness
Motion sickness in dogs is not uncommon and can make the journey stressful for both owners and dogs. If you see your dog drooling excessively, panting or vomiting, he or she is most likely experiencing motion sickness. To treat this problem, firstly you have to ensure good ventilation in the car by cracking open the windows to reduce odours that lead to nausea. Also, keep the temperature inside the car cool and comfortable for the dog.
Not to forget, exercise your dog well and avoid feeding them at least an hour or so before a car ride to reduce the risk of Nausea.
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Find Out Your Dog’s Triggers
The fear of car rides in your dogs can stem from several triggers including jumping up to enter the car, being in a closed space, the engine sound, movement of vehicles and a change in driving speed. Your dogs can also get anxious if they are not exposed to a lot of places, and if they also experience fear during vet visits. Identifying the root causes of their fear of car rides will help you deal with it proactively.
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Get Your Dog Used to the Car a Lot
If your dog is afraid of car rides, give a pause to unnecessary trips in the car. Set multiple sessions to introduce your dogs to car rides, slowly progressing to the next step only when your dog is comfortable. Let your dogs explore the interiors of the car at their own pace. Once they feel comfortable entering and exiting the car, you can make them feel more comfortable by feeding them some delectable dog treats.
Once your dog gains his confidence, desensitise them to car sounds like switching on and off the car engine, honking etc. These steps help a lot in making your dogs acclimatise to your car.
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Take them For Quick, Fun Rides
Once your dog is okay with being inside the car, take them out for short drives to places they may enjoy, for instance, parks, your friend’s house etc. Keep the rides short and gradually extend the duration as your dogs get comfortable. Make sure that each car trip ends on a positive note, which lets your dogs associate the car ride with something good.
Create a nice and cosy space inside the car which makes the dog’s ride a breeze. Place a comfortable dog bed, blanket, toys and clothes that carry your scent in the car to provide a sense of comfort and familiarity. This helps create a positive environment and reduces the stress linked with an uncomfortable surrounding.
Our dogs are deeply affected by our own emotional state and energy levels. When they become anxious and nervous, we must remain calm and keep a composed demeanour. It is important to talk to them calmly, without too much verbal coding. Also, try teaching them basic dog commands like sit, stay, leave and slowly use them to communicate with your dog during the travel. Dogs reflect your energy level and hence, you should keep things simple and less chaotic.
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Consult a Dog Trainer or Behaviourist
If you think you have done everything and your dogs still have problems getting in the car, try seeking the guidance of a professional trainer or behaviourist. They are experts in knowing a dog’s emotions and can offer you tailored strategies to get rid of your dog’s fear and anxieties.
Final Note,
Helping your dogs overcome the fear of car rides needs a gradual and positive approach. With these 7 highly effective tips, you can help your beloved canine feel more confident and comfortable during your car rides. Just give it a little time, and you will soon see your dog looking forward to more adventurous trips in your car.
