Why are you looking at me? You think I can help with your dog travel issues?
Is that because I’ve previously mentioned that I struggle with dog anxiety automatically lumps me into the car rider anxiety bucket, too? Is that what you’re saying?
You may be partially right. I get a case of the happy feet when I ride.
Can’t sit still.
Dogs can be wonderful travel partners. Especially if they’re well behaved and relaxed while riding in the car. By exposing your dog to consistent car rides at a young age, progressing slowly, rewarding frequently, and ensuring safety – you too can have a furry travel buddy.
I promised you guys a helpful guide, and a helpful guide is what you’re going to get. Perhaps I’ll heed my own advice and learn to sit still in the car for the entire trip and not just when I’m sitting on mom’s lap in the passenger seat.
Probably not. But here goes nothing…
Disclaimer: The Can My Dog articles contain information based on the individual research and opinions of the author of the site – who just so happens to be a dog. How you utilize the information given is completely up to you. Proceed at your own risk.
Step 1: Expose Your New Puppy to Lots of Car Rides – Dog Travel 101
This is a preventative technique. By desensitizing your puppy to car rides immediately, you prevent any future anxiety that often comes with older dogs when introduced to car rides later on.
2nd disclaimer of the article: I was introduced to car rides as a puppy. Rode in cars my whole life. I enjoy them, but I’m not great at them – I still don’t want to sit in the back. I blame my humans. They never taught me any better. Tread lightly here, my friends. Be thorough.
Start slow here. This will be a reoccurring theme – ssssloooooowwww is key.
Begin by simply sitting in the car (engine off) with your puppy. This will show them that this is a place of comfort and safety while allowing them to grow accustomed to the sights, sounds, smells, and general surroundings associated with a car.
Sit beside your dog in the seat where you will want them to regularly sit during a typical car ride. Show them a ridiculous amount of love and adoration at this time.
By doing this, you begin to initiate a positive association for your dog with this spot in this car. Continue this in short bursts. Typically no more than 5-10 minutes at a time.
After at least 3 sessions of this, up the ante and move behind the wheel. It’s important to get your dog accustomed to sitting in the back, alone, with you in the drivers seat.
Continue with the praises and treats during this phase. Show your dog that you’re proud of them and that they’re doing a wonderful job.
Who’s a good boy?!
Again, play this game for no more than 10 minutes a day for a couple of days.
Can you guess the next phase?
Turn the car on.
Get your pup used to hearing the engine and feeling the vibrations of the throttle. Wait a few seconds and then turn it back off.
Slow introductions to everything that’s involved in a car ride are key to a successful adoption of healthy car behaviors for your dog.
Next, we’re going to take it a bit further.
Start driving the car.
Super short distances at first. Drive in a circle for 1 minute if you have to and then park the car and be done.
From here, just increase your drive time. In slow progressive increments, of course.
Remember, we learn best through repetition. Love, treats, rinse, repeat.
Step 2: Progress Slowly
As if I didn’t make this clear enough in the first step.
Aside from the fact that dogs don’t like for things to be sprung on them all at once, especially if those things are new things, some dogs are terrified of these metal boxes that move around really fast and make loud noises.
So sue us.
Some dogs will need to start the car riding process out of the car. You read that right. Don’t even put them in the car at all at first.
Now, let me be clear. This is a technique best suited for dogs with severe anxiety. If your pup is traumatized for whatever reason, begin as subtly and gently as humanly possible.
Sit with your dog beside your car. If they accept this, praise them and give them a treat. If they take a step towards the car – praise them and give them a treat.
Are you beginning to see the common theme here yet? Any progress is good progress and should be compounded with positive reinforcement, e.g. TREATS.
While this not only begins to build a positive association between your dog and the car, it simultaneously builds your dog’s confidence as well.
Pup confidence eventually allows your dog to sprint to the car in excited travel anticipation and then jump in joyously when you open the back door.
You want pup car confident, so don’t skip the small steps needed to build this up.
Simplified steps are as follows:
- Start very slow
- Gradually increase confidence in your pup
- Treats, Praises, Positive Reinforcements
- Sit with your dog the entire time during every progression and phase of this training
- Build on time – start with 1 minute and work your way up to 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes, etc
Another reason this step emphasizes slow progression is the fact that you’re literally trying to change behavior built on previous associations to something. This is no easy feat. It will take time and lots of patience. Go in to this with no expectations and all the love and treats.
Step 3: Reward Frequently
I threw this one in here as a main topic because I love the treats. I want more of the treats, so here we are.
Let me back up though because thinking about treats momentarily derailed my entire point of this section.
When I reference treats under this header, I’m also referring to your dog’s favorite toys, chews, bones, balls, or any other inanimate object that brings them pure and unadulterated joy.
These things make your dog feel warm, gooey, and safe. Feeling safe for them in a car is the biggest issue. It’s weird for your dog in there, so do your best to make them feel comfortable.
You know what else makes your dog feel good? When you let them lay on one of your shirts that you just took off. Smells delicious and makes their heart pitter patter. Throw one of those bad boys in the back of the car with your dog too, while you’re at it.
Pro tip: You know what else I love that helps me tremendously? My CBD oil squirts my human gives me every day. I wrote a whole thing out it. You can read it here if you want.
I’ve also outlined tons of benefits associated with consistent CBD oil use in a previous post if you’re at all curious.
Anyway, regardless of the ‘rewards’ you choose to shower your dogs with in the back seat, just make sure they’re doing the job of making them feel safe, comfortable, and generally happy.
Step 4: Dog Travel Safety First, Or Last (as far as this list is concerned)
No particular order here, people, no particular order at all.
Well, except for the order you should follow during the slow progression phase detailing the entire purpose of this comprehensive guide, so how about we agree to disregard this paragraph all together?
We begin again.
The overall safety of your dog is crucial when it comes to road trips and car rides. Same goes for you humans too, obviously, but I’m hoping that goes without saying.
You buckle up every time you get in the car and so should we.
Believe it or not, your dog enjoys tight and restrictive spaces at times. Makes them feel less anxious and more secure. Like their crates. Those things are super small but feels like home to them.
Delicious and cozy.
Same concept in the car with the seat belt scenario. I know you’ve seen them. You connect them to our collar and then click-it-or-ticket.
Order it off Amazon or scoop it up at Walmart. These dog seat belts are readily available. One day I’ll actually link an option for you, but until then, stick to Google.
It’s up to you to buckle your dog up and in every time. Protect them and keep them as safe as you possibly can.
Buckling your dog up in the car is the only way to ensure the safety of not only them, but everyone else in the vehicle.
Trust me on this.
Conclusion
I want to take this time to reiterate the importance of taking it slow and easy with your dog and their travel anxiety.
This is a very real thing and it feels even more real to your dog. Don’t make fun of them or disregard their feelings – that will only make it worse.
Instead, validate your dog’s feelings by working with them through their worries. Trust me, we want to ride with you guys every single place you go. Help us get there.
And as always, continue to Live, Love, Laugh, and Scratch our bellies often.
Love you guys,
JTB
P.S. If you’re new to this world, you may want to check out my Ultimate Guide for First Time Dog Parents. It’s a great reference to get you started on this journey.
Related Questions
Is It Stressful For Dogs to Travel?
Some dogs love car rides and traveling with their humans. These dogs typically have a more outgoing personality and exhibit extrovert behaviors.
Other dogs have a reservation derived from intimidation with cars and change in general. Pulling them from their comfort zone (their home) causes them unwarranted stress.
Most dogs have a tendency to exude heightened levels of stress when it comes to plane rides, however.
The sheer nature of the confinement generally places them on high alert.
Be mindful of this.
Is It Better to Fly or Drive With Your Dog?
For the sheer sake of your dog’s anxiety, it’s best to drive with your dog.
However, in terms of total travel time, it may make more sense to fly with your dog – especially if it’s going to be a long drive time.
It’s best to try to limit the amount of time your dog will be confined in a small and unfamiliar space if at all possible.
This article has been reviewed by our Editorial Board and has been approved for publication in accordance with our Editorial Policies.
