What to do if the dog is afraid to ride in the car?

Maria Tselenko, a cynologist, veterinarian, specialist in the correction of the behavior of cats and dogs, tells.

Maria, with the beginning of spring to you! Today our interview will be about traveling with dogs in a car. Many are already planning trips to the country and to nature with their pets. In your experience, do dogs often get nervous in the car?

— Yes, many dog owners complain that their dogs do not tolerate car trips well.

How to properly train a dog to travel?

– It is advisable to start in advance so that the owner does not rush things and moves at the pace of the pet. Learning is about creating a positive experience. If you force things, the dog will no longer feel comfortable. So this experience can not be called positive.

The time required for training depends on the individual characteristics of each pet. If the dog no longer likes to ride in the car, more time will be needed.

The starting point can also be different. If you are just introducing the puppy to the car, you can start training already inside the car. If the dog does not even like to approach the car, then you need to start at this stage. In this case, you just go with the dog to the car, give him a series of tasty pieces (treats) and move away. Repeat these approaches several times a day. When you see that the dog has become willing to approach the car, open the door and reward with treats already in the resulting opening. You can even put the pieces on the threshold or seat.

The next step is to encourage the dog to put its front paws on the threshold. To do this, offer her a treat again. If the dog is big enough to jump on its own, gradually put the pieces deeper and deeper into the car so that it gets inside.

It is advisable to find an assistant. He will stand with the dog outside, and you will sit in the car and call the dog to you.

A small dog can simply be put in the car. At this stage, you need to create a continuous reward so that the pet is pleased to stay inside. You can often encourage calm behavior with individual pieces of treats or give a special “long-lasting” treat. Then try to start the car. And finally, ask the assistant to get behind the wheel and drive around the yard. You will reward your dog for calm behavior during this time.

Each of the steps should be repeated several times and move on to the next only when the dog feels comfortable enough.

At what age should you start introducing your puppy to a car?

– The earlier the better. If you just took the puppy home, give him a couple of days to get comfortable and you can start. Only puppies until the end of the quarantine will need to be carried into the car on the handles.

And if I have an adult dog and she has never ridden in a car, what should I do?

“Just like with a puppy. Age does not affect the training scheme. It is important to correctly assess the stage from which you can start. The dog shouldn’t be worried. If the owner notices clear signs of discomfort, then he is getting ahead of himself.

Suppose a person has followed all the recommendations for training, but the dog in the car is still nervous. How to be?

– This can happen if the owner did not notice the mistake: for example, he encouraged at the wrong time or hurried the process. Or if the dog in the car is motion sick. In the first case, you should seek help from a behavioral specialist, in the second – to a veterinarian for medicine.

Do pets often throw up in cars? How to avoid it?

– Yes. Dogs, like people, can get sick. More often this happens with puppies or dogs that are not accustomed to riding in a car. The pet can remember how bad it felt in the car, and then avoid it. To reduce the chance of motion sickness, do not feed your dog before a ride. There are also medications to help your pet get through the trip.

Is it better to travel on an empty stomach? What are the rules for preparing a dog for a trip?

– If we talk about a long trip, then it will not work completely on an empty stomach – otherwise the dog will be hungry all day. But feeding should be no later than 2 hours before the trip. It is better to offer your dog water on the road in small portions, but more often.

How far can you travel with a dog? What length of trip will be comfortable for the dog? When should you take a break, stop and take your pet for a walk?

– In such matters, everything is individual. If the dog tolerates the road well, you can take it with you on a trip. The frequency of stops depends on the age of the dog, the mode of walking and feeding. If the dog is an adult and the trip is long, stops can be made as for people: after 4 hours. But on the road, you must definitely offer water.

What do I need to buy to transport a dog? What accessories will help? Carrier, hammock, rug?

It all depends on the dog and the owner’s preferences. If the dog will ride on the seat, then it is worth using a hammock so that the dog does not damage or stain the upholstery. In this case, you can use a special harness for dogs, which should be attached to the harness. If the dog is accustomed to carrying and the carrier fits into the car, you can carry the dog in it. And in cases where the pet rides in the trunk, you should think about a comfortable bedding for him.

For large dogs, there are special ladders if it is difficult for the pet to jump in and out of the car. I also have a collapsible silicone bowl in my car.

Share your personal experience. What was the longest trip with dogs in your life? How are the impressions?

— The longest trip was from Moscow to Helsinki. The journey took the whole day from early morning until late at night. Of course, there were several stops during the day. Everything went very well!