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7 tips for stress-free car trips with your dog

Silva Battista's avatar Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 by Silva Battista Silva Battista is a cofounder of Best Friends Animal Society and our Vibrant Giver for August 2009. Silva shares seven exercises to train your dog to enjoy car rides.
If you have a dog who looks ill at the mere mention of a ride in the car, here are some exercises you can take to help your dog enjoy car rides. The objective is is to train your dog to associate the car with good things, rather than merely with stressful trips to the groomer or the vet.
  1. Accustom your dog to being near the car.
    Don't feed your dog her daily meal beforehand. Start with a walk out to the car. If your car is in an unfenced driveway, keep her on a loose lead for safety. Open the car door and hand the dog a small piece of food or her favorite toy, which you have retrieved from inside the car. If your dog doesn't want to get into the car, walk back to the house. If your dog does get into the car, move on to step 2. Repeat this step one to three times a day for six days.

  2. Once you've established a positive association to being near the car, climb into the car holding the car holding the dog's lead and hand her some food, kibble by kibble, or hold our her favorite toy.
    Tell her how much fun car rides are, hand her one more piece of food or the toy, and return to the house. If she still seems reluctant during this step, repeat the process three times daily - and start moving further inside the car so that she is stretching to reach the toy of kibble. If needed, repeat three times a day for six days. Hopefully, when she feels more relaxed, she will surprise you and climb in. You can also up the ante by using a more enticing food treat (like boiled chicken) as you move further into the car.

  3. Sit with your dog in the car.
    After six days, you should be able to walk out and sit in the car with your dog. If she is still unwilling to climb in, gently pick her up and help her in. Attach a seatbelt to your dog if you plan to use one for rides. Sit next to her, pet her and praise her, and use the toy or food as a reward. Then, teach her a release word, such as "okay," and climb out together - you first - and go for a short walk (another reward). Practice three times in one day.

  4. Dine in the car.
    On another day, repeat step 3 but this time have your dog eat her whole meal out in the car. Sit in the car with her next to you and let her eat. After she has finished, release her with an "okay" and take a walk.

  5. Dine in the car - with the engine running.
    This time, put the dog in the car with her food and start the engine. Don't go anywhere, just start the car. If she is willing to eat with the motor running, let it run. If not, shut it off and let her finish her dinner. THen, release her and take your walk together.

  6. If your dog stopped eating with the motor on, try a higher-value food the next day.
    Repeat the previous day's activity: give a yummy dinner with the motor running and take a walk afterward. Practice daily or nightly until your dog is relaxed, climbs in and out of the car, and enjoys dinner with the motor running.

  7. The big event: a car ride!
    Just like every other day, go out together, get in the car and start the motor. Have the dog's dinner with you, but don't serve it yet. Attach her seatbelt and give her a toy for the short journey. As you leave the driveway, talk to her and praise her. Drive no more than five minutes and when you get back, serve her dinner in your driveway with the motor still running. Then release her, take a walk together, and tell her how great she is.
From this point on, practice daily, adding drive time each day. If your dog starts to drool or become anxious at any time, stop and take her for a walk to relax her, then go home. Make the next day's drive a little shorter or take a route with fewer curces and bumps if you suspect that might make a difference. Start taking her out for walks during your outings and remember to travel together often. You don't need to serve dinner, but a small treat or playtime are great rewards for stress-free trips.

Sherry Woodard, who wrote this list, is the dog training and care consultant at Best Friends Animal Society. She develops resources and provides consulting services nationally to help achieve Best Friends' "No More Homeless Pets" mission.

responses (2)

JMomOhio's avatar JMomOhio
JMomOhio said to Silva Battista
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All good advice, but I would eliminate the food starting out as many dogs get motion sickness.  I would also advise using a crate in your vehicle so they don't feel like they are so exposed to getting jerked around in the car.  Crates are safter in your vehicle anyway in case you were to have an accident.  Less chance of your dog crashing their heads thru a window.  The crate can be secured and put in a spot where the dog can still see you and if they are already use to a crate anyway, it is also a familiar and comfortable place for them with their favorite toys.

So many animals fear riding in a car because alot of owner only put them in and take them with on the way to the veterinarian and they associate the car with going to the vet. 

Short trips, no food or water prior to riding in the car, use a crate, entice with a favorite toy, put soft music on the radio and talk softly and praise often when they are quiet and seem to be adjusting and enjoying the ride.  If you have children, have them ride in the car next to the crate to take the dog's focus off the car ride. NEVER allow your dog in the front seat, especially if you have air bags as the force of one smashing into them could mean serious injury or death.  Make frequent stops and take them for a walk on a leash. Do not leave them unattended in a car for long periods of time and don't take them with you at all when temps are very high or very low.  Also, enroll your dog in basic training so they will actually LISTEN to you and understand you when you speak to them.  :)

 

lizalunavita's avatar lizalunav…
lizalunavita said to JMomOhio
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A GREAT little item that helps stablize your dog while riding is a harness that clips onto the car seat-belt. It allows some freedom of movement but keeps your lil' friend secure whether driving or when you need to run into the grocers for a quick purchase. For long trips, I make sure he has an extra long walk & exercise before taking off. I place his sleeping pad along with a small bowl of kibble & water on the floorboard, along with a chew toy. Sometimes I include a travel kennel/crate in the back seat when visiting friends that might not share my enthusiasm for my furry fellow. His crate also gives him comfort when encountering new experiences or when he has had enough. Much like a diaper bag, I keep a tote containing food, bottled water, towel, brush, shampoo, poop bags and extra leash by the door in case I have a spontaneous urge to take off on an adventure. Good training and consistent rules are essential for everyone's well-being and safety.    

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