Overcome Your Dog's Car Phobia
by Stazjia
Is Your Dog Afraid of Travelling in the Car?
Does your dog have car phobia? If your dog cries or shakes or shows other signs of hating travelling in your car, he probably does suffer from it.
If your dog is being sick then your veterinarian could be your first source of help. If it's an emotional problem, though, you can probably overcome your dog's car phobia with the help of treats and a lot of patience and understanding of the dog's fear of travelling in a car.
Here are some tips for getting your dog accustomed to the car and perhaps even enjoying a journey.
Picture: A dog in a car - In the Public Domain
Taken by Jocelyn Augustino and the picture is from Fema Photo Library
If your dog is being sick then your veterinarian could be your first source of help. If it's an emotional problem, though, you can probably overcome your dog's car phobia with the help of treats and a lot of patience and understanding of the dog's fear of travelling in a car.
Here are some tips for getting your dog accustomed to the car and perhaps even enjoying a journey.
Picture: A dog in a car - In the Public Domain
Taken by Jocelyn Augustino and the picture is from Fema Photo Library
Guardian Gear Plaid Car Harness
Petmate Seat Belt, Blue, Small
Easy Rider Car Harness - Medium
Contents at a Glance
Ideally, Train Your Puppy to Ride in the Car
With luck, he or she will soon grow to love it
A Puppy - the ideal age to train your dog to enjoy car rides
Copyright © Sigismund von Dobschütz - Creative Commons License
Maybe your dog is older or has never accepted that travelling in the car has advantages and is phobic about it. You could still get your dog to accept car travel but it might take a lot of time and patience. Alternatively, you might be lucky - your dog might quickly get over the fear of car travel within a week or two.
Stage One - Get Your Dog to Jump in the Car
Don't worry if he quickly jumps out
If you have a secure area where you can park the car near your house, when you are cleaning it or doing some other chore on it, leave the doors open so your dog can get in and out at will.Of course, if he hates it, he probably won't want to get in. Put one or two of his favourite treats on the back seat. This should be a high value treat (in doggy terms, not money) and one he gets very seldom. If he doesn't get in the first time you try, be very patient but keep trying. Make sure the treat is close to the open door then gradually move it a little further inside each time.
When he jumps in, praise him lavishly: "What a good boy. What a clever boy. You are such a good boy." You get the idea.... even if he jumps straight out when he grabs the treat. If he pauses for a moment inside the car, then bring one more of the high value treats out of your pocket and give it to him while he's still in the car.
Picture: Boy with dog on a toy car in 1912
Copyright © Terry Whalebone - Creative Commons License
Stage Two - Close the Car Door
Don't let him panic
Keep this system going over a few days or weeks until he is jumping straight in to check for treats. Try to keep him there for a few minutes by offering another treat. Both the back doors should still be open so he knows he can escape if the feels panicky.
Eventually, he should wait in the hope of getting the extra treat. When that happens, tell him to sit and give him the treat.
After this happens a couple of times, get in and sit next to him before giving him the treat. The next stage is to close the door next to you. Talk to him, give him another treat. Stroke him and just keep him relaxed. If this is going well, get somebody else to quietly close the door nearest to him. Give him another treat, lots more petting and talk. Then let him out and get out yourself. Keep doing this over days until he is relaxed with all the doors closed.
Eventually, he should wait in the hope of getting the extra treat. When that happens, tell him to sit and give him the treat.
After this happens a couple of times, get in and sit next to him before giving him the treat. The next stage is to close the door next to you. Talk to him, give him another treat. Stroke him and just keep him relaxed. If this is going well, get somebody else to quietly close the door nearest to him. Give him another treat, lots more petting and talk. Then let him out and get out yourself. Keep doing this over days until he is relaxed with all the doors closed.
Solvit Tagalong Pet Booster Seat, Standard
I think this is such a great idea for a small dog to enable him to see out of the car window. I'd definitely still use a dog safety harness, though, because he could be catapulted through the windshield in an accident.
Waterproof Car Seat Covers
So your dog won't get the seats wet or muddy
If your dog rides on the back seat of your car, you will want a waterproof cover to protect it from the water, mud, leaves and general debris your dog will bring in. Here's a small selection of what is available.
Solvit 62283 Deluxe Bench Seat Cover for Pets
This quilted car seat cover has a waterproof backing and is made from strong, durable fabric.
Solvit 62314 Waterproof Hammock Seat Cover for Pets
With this hammock style cover, your dog is stopped from getting on the floor of the car so getting that wet or dirty.
Solvit Waterproof Bucket Seat Cover for Pets
Here's a cover for a car bucket seat rather than then a bench style. It's made from heavy duty material and is machine washable.
Stage 3 - Start the Car Engine
Maybe your dog won't show signs of car phobia
Dog in Car in London Brighton Veteran Car Run 2009
Copyright © Peter Trimming - Creative Commons License
If he's OK, then go for a very short drive, maybe just round the block. When you get back, give your dog another high value treat, let him out then play his favourite game with him.
If he gets upset when the engine starts, it should be switched off. Keep doing this, over a few days if necessary, until the engine doesn't bother him, then go for a very short ride. Keep taking your dog for short rides and gradually, you can start driving yourself. Make sure he has a treat and a fun game at the end of the ride.
Solvit Front Seat Net Pet Barrier
Stage 4 - Now Go for Car Rides with Your Dog
The destinations should be great fun for dogs
As he gets used to going for short car rides, gradually make them longer. Ideally, go somewhere he can have tremendous fun like the beach, a great park, etc. Play games with him when you're there.Whenever you have to go for car rides that last longer than an hour, take a break in the middle somewhere your dog can have fun and play. Plan where you can stop and park before you leave so he isn't in the car too long. You want to avoid him getting distressed.
The secret to accustoming your dog successfully to travelling by car is to do it slowly and calmly and, above all, it should be pleasurable for him. Treats work well at the start but your dog needs to know that car rides mean he goes somewhere he really loves to visit and somewhere he only goes by car.
Picture above: Boy and Dog in a Car
In the Public Domain - Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries
I've Trained my Dogs Doing This
They loved the car and the prospect of fun and games
My two dogs and I on the beach after a car journey to get there
Copyright © 2008 Carol Fisher
This has worked so well with my dogs that if we leave the car doors open when we're cleaning it, the dogs jump in and refuse to get out. They want their car ride and a visit to a favourite place. One time, my partner put the dogs in the car then, before we got in, we had a row and weren't going to go out as we both wanted to sulk! We had to get over it very quickly because neither dog would leave the car and were digging their paws in when we tried to pull them out. In the end, we decided we'd better go out after all.
Road Refresher No Spill Portable Pet Bowl
Lixit Waterboy Travel Water
Bowl
Heininger 3059 PortablePET WaterBoy
Gulpy Water Dispenser for Pet - 20 oz
More of My Pages About Dogs
From True Stories to Poems and Books
Have You Had Problems With Your Dog in the Car?
Do you have any tips to help with dog car phobia?
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FlowerChick May 10, 2013 @ 10:56 am | deleteWe've only had dogs who LOVE car rides. The most important thing is to make it a fun adventure and destination. Even just a drive to the bank drive-thru where they dispense dog cookies. -
Nice way to help owners with dogs who don't like riding in the car - all my dogs loved it, but it took some time to get there :) -
Our dog (golden retriever) actually loves to go for a drive. Never had a problem with her. -
I am one of those crazy cat ladies but you have certainly covered the topic of dealing with a dog phobia of the car ideally. Hmmm? Now how about an article on wet puppies in the car lol?
