Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. WE MIGHT LIKE LOUD, UPBEAT MUSIC IN THE CAR, BUT A STRESSED DOG NEEDS SOMETHING QUIETER AND MORE RELAXING. Remember that your efforts will pay off, and that fun trips lie ahead! The process will take longer with some dogs than others, but be Whatever the age of your dog, the more often you practice, the sooner he will come to enjoy car rides. Is it picking up his leash, opening the garage door, or approaching the car? Once you know, use a positive approach to desensitize your dog. To start, make a detailed list of what elicits your dog’s anxiety or fear when it comes to car rides. Hint: In a nutshell, you will be teaching your dog that the car is a good thing. If you’re working with an adult dog that is already stressed or nauseated (or both) by car rides, it will take extra time and patience to reteach his mind and body to relax and enjoy. Remember, you want car trips to be positive and enjoyableįor your dog. Hint: Find fun spots to stop along your route, so you can take 15 minutes and explore the area with your dog. It’s a good time for both of you to stretch your legs, and for your dog to take a potty break (be sure to clean up after him). Just be sure to plan frequent breaks if you’re going to be in the car for more than a few hours. Once your dog is used to riding in the car, and is relaxed and happy about it, you can consider longer trips. This is a great way to slowly introduce him to traveling by car (and it also builds on his socialization skills!). Start by taking your dogĪround the block, then gradually increase the length of your trips by driving him to the next subdivision or town, then further afield. It can also help keep motion sickness at bay (see sidebar on right). Keeping car rides short in the beginning can help your dog learn not to stress. If you have a large breed, consider a pet ramp. It can sometimes be physicallyĪnd mentally difficult for dogs to jump up into cars on their own. Depending on his size and age, and your vehicle’s design, you may need to gently lift him up and place him inside. Make sure he gets plenty of outside time in order to relieve himself. Before getting in the vehicle, take him for a nice walk, play in the yard, or enjoy a fun, positive trick-training Once your car is canine-friendly, it’s time to prepare your dog. Hint: Going to a park and watching the world go by, even if you both stay in the car, is a great way to socialize him. Have a young puppy and are concerned about disease, you can still take him for car rides.
Getting your dog used to the car is also a good way to help socialize him, as it gets him out and about into new environments where he’ll see other people and animals. You don’t want all his car rides to be solely to the vet’s office that’s a sure way to teach him that they’re not a very positive experience. In fact, teaching him about the car should become part of his daily routine. This will help him “Zen out” and relax.ĭon’t wait for that week-long road trip to start teaching your dog to enjoy car rides. Phone and play it when your dog is in the car with you. We might like loud, upbeat music in the car, but a stressed dog needs something quieter and more relaxing.
#Dog medicine for long car rides windows#
Hint: Baby window shades that stick to the side windows of the vehicle are a good solution. Looking out the window while the car is moving can be quite confusing for a dog and can trigger motion sickness, anxiety, and Next, consider limiting your dog’s view.Once you have chosen a safe travel harness or crate, make sure you properly secure it in your vehicle per the manufacturer’s instructions. Ideally, look for a brand that has passed third-party crash testing. The first step is to research various car harnesses, crates, and seat belt attachments designed for dogs. Stress-free! For pups or young dogs - starting from scratch Ideally, it’s best to start getting your dog used to the car while he’s still a puppy, but with time and patience, you can also teach an adult dog that car rides can be relaxing, fun and Whether you’re heading to the local park or embarking on a cross-country trip, sharing the journey with a dog that enjoys the ride and is a good traveler makes all the difference. Hitting the road with your dog can be a wonderful adventure.
#Dog medicine for long car rides how to#
Here’s how to teach your dog to enjoy car rides, whatever his age.
While many dogs love “going for drives”, others may find it stressful.
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