It is important to be able to transport your dog in the car without too much difficulty. However, it can be a problem if the dog usually gets nervous inside the car. Whether it's a short commute to the vet or you need to take a long trip, you can take some precautions to make the experience easier and more enjoyable for both of you. If you love your dog and want to take him with you, learn how to manage and overcome his nervousness when he is in the car.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Trouble-Free Travel with a Dog
Step 1. Make sure it is comfortable, but safe
You must always carry your dog in an approved and approved accident prevention safe device, such as a carrier or cage, which can vary according to the size of the dog (small, medium or large). This way, the animal is safe and avoids distracting the driver, for example by jumping into his arms.
Step 2. Avoid giving your pet a large meal before travel
The ideal is to feed him 3-4 hours before leaving. Eventually you can also decide to wait until you arrive at your destination, if the journey is short.
Remember that a dog can feel sick even on an empty stomach
Step 3. Offer him plenty of opportunities to make stops
If the journey is long enough, he will need to stop from time to time to satisfy his physiological needs. You should also bring water and a bowl with you to give him to drink during breaks.
- Get out of the cockpit and take him for a walk to stretch his paws; doing so helps him to relieve the discomfort and nervousness.
- If you have to go on a long journey, give him some physical activity first to help him burn off excess energy and feel calmer along the way.
Step 4. Make sure the pet is as comfortable as possible
Avoid overheating the cabin and do not smoke on the way, otherwise you can make them nauseous, even if they are used to traveling. Consider wearing an Adaptil pheromone collar when he's in the car. This device releases hormones that reassure the animal, reducing anxiety and relieving the stress caused by being in the vehicle.
Bring something that will comfort him, like a blanket that smells like home or his favorite stuffed animal
Step 5. Take another person in the car with you until the dog gets used to traveling
The animal could easily distract you if it continues to move a lot in the back of the car and if it starts whining or barking. Obviously, any distraction while driving can be dangerous.
- If the dog is sitting in the rear trunk, have someone pet him from time to time (if possible). Move the animal if this position causes it to be too agitated.
- Talk to him to reassure him. Use a calm tone of voice and don't look agitated or annoyed if he's doing something you don't want. Talk to your dog quietly and tell him how good he is.
Step 6. Carry a bag with all accessories
These include any treats to reward him, a good sturdy leash, fresh water, a bowl he can drink from, a toy or two, and many items to clean, such as a towel, spray disinfectant, stool bags, and so on. It is quite possible that the dog will defecate in the car during his first few trips, due to his state of agitation. If you have cleaning products on hand, the risk of permanent damage to the vehicle is greatly reduced and your dog can continue the rest of the journey feeling more comfortable.
Method 2 of 3: Managing motion sickness
Step 1. Check if your pet is car sick
Some dogs get nervous in the car because they feel nauseous and associate the journey with feeling sick and motion sickness. Recognize the symptoms of this disorder, the most noticeable of which is heavy salivation. If you notice strands of saliva hanging from his lips it is a clear sign of motion sickness. In addition, all specimens react differently, some may bow their heads and assume a worried expression, others try to walk, while still others may whine.
Dogs suffering from motion sickness need specific medications to be able to travel better. Talk to your vet to find safe medications to control nausea. Your pet will likely always need medication for long journeys, but you may want to train him to accept short journeys without feeling sick
Step 2. Be prepared for the possibility of vomiting
In this case, don't scold or punish him. If he vomits it is only because he is sick, and by punishing him you only increase his anxiety and worsen the trauma he is experiencing, making him feel even more stressed.
If you know your dog suffers from motion sickness, but you still have to take him by car, for example to go to the vet for a prescription for antiemetic drugs, have him sit on a hygienic and waterproof pet mat, this way you can easily remedy any "accidents""
Step 3. Place your dog in a spot in the car where he can see outside
This way he can easily look through the window. If your pet is small, consider placing them in a carrier that you can safely lift onto the seat so they can look out. If it is medium in size, take an approved harness and put the animal in the back seat (if your country's highway code allows this option), making sure that it has the possibility to see outside. On the other hand, if the dog is large in size, put him in a cage, so that he is kept safe and that he can look out of the window.
You can also put a blanket on the seat occupied by the dog. It should be the one he usually uses in his kennel, so that he is familiar with it
Step 4. Consult your veterinarian if your pet needs anti-emetic medications
Do not give him those against motion sickness for human use, unless the doctor himself authorizes you. Usually, these drugs are not approved for use in dogs, as side effects have not been tested and any interactions with other drugs are not known. Basically, dogs metabolize drugs differently than humans, so there is a possibility that drugs for human use are not effective.
The best medicine for motion sickness is by prescription, its trade name is Cerenia (maropitant) and is available as an injection (given by the vet) or as tablets. Both forms are effective for 24 hours. This drug is better than others because it acts on the nausea center in the brain, eliminating the feeling of motion sickness and malaise
Step 5. Consider alternative treatments
Some dog owners find solutions such as Bach flower therapy, also called Rescue Remedy, effective, but this is only anecdotal evidence. The therapy consists of administering a few drops of these liquids on the dog's tongue. Bach flowers are in alcoholic solution and the reason for their effectiveness on some dogs could be this: in practice they act like a small drink.
Method 3 of 3: Retrain a Nervous Dog
Step 1. Find out if the animal is simply nervous rather than nauseated
Some dogs do not like to travel by car, because they are afraid or agitated by some previous negative experience, for example if they have been in a car accident. Your furry friend may also delay getting into the car because he was acting too excited and the previous driver scolded him for that.
It is extremely important to re-train your dog so that he associates traveling with an enjoyable experience and something he is looking forward to
Step 2. Avoid long trips during this training phase
If your dog really hates traveling by car, you shouldn't let him go long distances while you're trying to get him used again. Your goal is to develop a new mental association with the vehicle so that it feels like a good place to be. It is a gradual process and it cannot be accelerated; if you rush the training you will be forced to take a few steps back.
Step 3. To get started, give him some positive experiences in the car
Start by keeping the car parked with the engine off. Open the door and put a new candy inside. Encourage the pet to get into the stationary car, giving him a lot of positive attention and praising him as he does so. Then let him go down and do something pleasant, for example take him for a walk.
- Afterward, she starts feeding him meals in the stationary car. Protect the seat upholstery with a towel or waterproof mat, then place the food bowl on the cover and habituate it to eat in the car with the engine off.
- Consider filling the Kong with food and putting it in the parked car. Think about the different activities that the pet likes and make sure to recreate them in the vehicle. It may take several weeks or months for the dog to spontaneously get into the car to see "what's good," but it will eventually learn.
Step 4. Continue to make the experience enjoyable when the car is on and in motion
Once your dog feels comfortable in the stationary car, start taking a few short trips. Initially, you should just start the car, move it a little and turn it off immediately; then try to reverse on the driveway and then proceed forward.
- Take a few small trips around the block, then continue with a few short rides nearby.
- This is a way to proceed gradually, so you don't have to rush the steps. Make sure your pet feels really comfortable at one stage of the journey before moving on to the next.
- If possible, travel with someone who can monitor the dog for signs of nausea or agitation. In this case, stop the car, take the dog out and let him walk a little to give him relief. Finish your trip and next time don't go that far.
- In these first few days of training, he tries to go to places he likes, like a park or a wood, so that the journey ends with a reward.
Advice
- If you have two dogs that are used to keeping each other company, bring them together so they can comfort each other during the journey.
- If your dog is a puppy, take him to somewhere pleasant and fun on his first trips, such as a field or a park; avoid "unpleasant" places, such as the vet's office.
