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When you love your dog, it’s natural to want them by your side wherever you go, including on car trips. Some dogs live for car rides, with their ears flapping out the window the whole way. Others dread being in the car, and may whine, drool, or even vomit before you’ve left the driveway.
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Motion sickness, anxiety, negative past experiences, or frequent trips to unpleasant destinations can all lead to car-related stress. Fortunately, with patience and positive training, most dogs can learn to feel calm, comfortable, and even excited about riding in the car.
Why Some Dogs Don’t Like Riding in the Car
A dog’s fear of car rides can develop for all kinds of reasons. Some dogs experience motion sickness, especially puppies whose balance systems are still developing. Others may associate the car with frightening events, such as an accident or a stressful veterinary visit.
Even dogs that tolerate being in the car can lose enthusiasm if every trip leads somewhere they don’t enjoy. Figuring out what’s behind your dog’s discomfort can help you choose the most effective training approach.
Building Positive Feelings About the Car
Although it’s easiest to prevent car problems in new puppies, dogs of any age can learn to view the car more positively through desensitization and counter-conditioning.
Desensitization involves exposing your dog to the car gradually and at a level they can comfortably handle. Counter-conditioning changes your dog’s emotional response by pairing the car with things they love, such as food, toys, games, or training sessions.
Depending on how severely your dog reacts, you might have to begin training several feet from a parked car. If they’re already fairly comfortable, you can start right in the back seat. Either way, the goal is the same: work from a distance where your dog stays relaxed.
At each stage of the process, give your dog a high-value reward. Special toys, delicious treats, games, or trick training sessions can all help your dog create positive associations with the vehicle. Anything your dog genuinely enjoys can be used as a reward.
Only move on to the next step when your dog is completely relaxed at the current stage. If your dog stops eating, refuses to play, or appears stressed, you’ve likely moved too fast. Simply return to the previous step until your dog relaxes, then start again. Some dogs may progress in a single session, while others may require days or weeks. Be patient and move at your dog’s pace.
Add the Sounds and Routines of Driving
Once your dog is relaxed in and around the car, start introducing the things that normally happen right before a trip.
Try routine actions like sitting in the driver’s seat, closing the doors, or making the remote locks beep one at a time. Again, pair each step with something wonderful, like a special treat.
Because dogs should always be safely restrained in a moving vehicle, include your dog’s travel setup in the training process. Whether you use a crate or a car harness attached to a seat belt, help your dog become comfortable with that equipment before taking a drive.
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.
Teaching Your Dog to Enjoy Riding in the Car
Now that your dog looks forward to getting in the car, it’s time to actually go somewhere.
Start with short distances, such as driving to 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 possible, have another person ride with you to provide treats and rewards while you focus on driving.
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 neighborhood. Get out and let your dog play and explore before returning home.
Keep Positive Destinations in the Rotation
Even after your dog becomes a confident traveler, it’s important to maintain positive associations with the car.
Not every trip will be enjoyable. Veterinary and grooming appointments can be stressful, so try to balance those outings with visits to places your dog loves. Bringing favorite toys or treats along can also help make necessary trips more pleasant.
Helping Dogs With 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 dogs that continue to struggle with nausea or anxiety in the car, a few simple adjustments may help:
- Keep the temperature inside the car cool.
- Lower the windows for fresh air.
- Limit your dog’s food and water for a few hours before the trip.
- Consult your vet about motion sickness medication or anti-anxiety medication.
- Exercise your dog about 20 minutes before you leave to burn off nervous energy.
- Spray dog pheromones in the car. Available as collars, diffusers, and sprays, these pheromones mimic the odor of a nursing mother dog and relax even adult dogs.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs may dislike car rides because of motion sickness, anxiety, negative experiences, or unpleasant destinations.
- Desensitization and counter-conditioning can help dogs develop positive associations with the car.
- Training should progress gradually, moving forward only when your dog remains relaxed.
- Short drives to enjoyable destinations help build confidence and enthusiasm for travel.
- Motion sickness can often be managed through environmental changes, exercise, pheromone products, or guidance from your veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long does it take a dog to get comfortable riding in the car?
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Every dog learns at a different pace. Some dogs become comfortable within a few training sessions, while others may need several weeks of gradual exposure and positive reinforcement.
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Should I force my dog into the car during training?
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No. Forcing a dog into the car can increase fear and set back progress. Let your dog move at a pace where they remain comfortable and willing to participate.
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Can adult dogs learn to enjoy car rides?
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Yes. While early positive experiences help, adult dogs can also learn to enjoy riding in the car through consistent desensitization and counter-conditioning.
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What are signs of motion sickness in dogs?
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Common signs include drooling, whining, restlessness, lip licking, nausea, and vomiting. Puppies are particularly prone to motion sickness.
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How can I make veterinary trips less stressful?
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Continue taking your dog on plenty of fun outings so veterinary visits don’t become their only car experience. Bringing treats and favorite toys can also help create more positive associations.