Teach Your Dog to Love the Car
Although it’s easiest to prevent car problem in new puppies, any dog can be taught to associate the car with wonderful things using desensitization and counter-conditioning. Desensitization is a step-by-step method of gradually introducing your dog to the car. Counter-conditioning changes your dog’s emotional response from negative to positive by having great stuff happen near and inside the car.
Depending on how severely your dog reacts, you might have to teach your dog to ride in the car starting ten feet away while the car is parked in the driveway. Or maybe you can start with your dog on the back seat. The trick is to find the point where your dog is comfortable and relaxed then slowly move closer and closer. At each stage of the process, give your dog something beloved like a special toy or a treat. Only move closer when your dog is completely relaxed at the current stage. If your dog stops eating or playing, you’ve moved too fast. Simply take a step or two backward until your dog relaxes then start again. You might be inside the car in minutes, or it might take weeks. Be patient and move at your dog’s pace.
Now it’s time to add the other elements that precede a drive. For example, sitting in the driver’s seat, closing the doors, or making the remote locks beep. Again, pair each step with something wonderful. Toss treats in the back seat or play tug-of-war together. Remember, dog should be safely secured in a moving car so incorporate a crate or car harness attached to a seat belt into your dog training routine. To teach your dog to ride in the car, your final step should be turning the car on and off. Don’t go anywhere yet, just let your dog associate the sound of the engine with food, fun, and games.
Teach Your Dog to Enjoy Riding in the Car
Now that your dog looks forward to getting in the car, you can add motion to the mix. Start with incredibly short distances, like the end of the driveway and back. Continue to build the time spent driving by short increments. Just as you did before, make every trip as pleasant as possible. Praise your dog while you drive and use encouraging cheerful banter. If you can enlist a helper to ride beside your dog and give positive rewards as you travel, even better. When you start venturing away from home, choose destinations you know your dog will enjoy. For example, drive to the park a few blocks away or the woods outside of your neighbourhood. Get out and let your dog play and explore before returning home.
In no time, your dog should look forward to car trips because the drive itself is enjoyable and the destinations are fun. Of course, after you teach your dog to ride in the car, not all your destinations will be pleasant - trips to the vet or groomer may be stressful. Be sure those destinations are few and far between and when they are necessary, always take toys or treats to sweeten the deal.
Prevent Dog Motion Sickness
Puppies are more likely than adult dogs to get sick in the car but many will grow out of their motion sickness as they mature. For those who don’t, fortunately, the steps above can help your dog become accustomed to a moving car. But if an upset stomach from motion sickness or anxiety still bothers your dog, here are a few tips to help ease your dog’s tummy:
Hopefully, these tips will help you accustom your dog to being in the car and – if you haven’t already – we’ll see you both at a show or event very soon!