Car Rides with Your Dog: A Guide to Great Road Trips
Help! I'm going to vomit. Stop! This is life-threatening, just so you know! That's how the whining and howling from the back can be translated. Annoying at best, unbearable at worst, for both human and dog. So let's take a closer look at the reasons behind the dogs' complaining and how you can solve them.
Training your dog for car travel
It is unnatural for dogs to move around in fast metal boxes on wheels. Therefore, car rides can require some training and acclimatizing. Once the job is done, most dogs usually like care rides, associating them with something positive, like fun adventures. But some dogs have a harder time getting used to it. The reasons can be many.
Managing motion sickness in dogs
Reluctance towards car rides can be caused by motion sickness, which is common in puppies. The balance system is fully developed in newborn puppies. However, from birth, it needs to be calibrated with other sensory inputs so that the puppy can relate to her/his own center and the rest of the surroundings. If the surroundings are moving, feelings of dizziness and seasickness can easily take over. Most puppies grow out of it. Some dogs are more sensitive when the signals from their vision and balance systems clash, which can lead to persistent problems into adulthood. While it's possible to train some tolerance, certain dogs may be prone to motion sickness throughout their lives. A motion-sick dog typically shows signs of restlessness, panting, drooling, retching, and may seem tired and sluggish. The dog's general condition might be affected for a few hours after a car ride, and in severe cases, vomiting may occur.
Fear of car travel: causes and solutions
Another reason why a dog might not want to get into the car is fear. The engine noise, vibrations from the car's body, and tire and brake noises can also be scary for some dogs. Additionally, fear might arise from past traumatic experiences. For instance, if the dog had a car accident in the past, was left alone in the car without proper training, or experienced someone banging on the window while alone in the car. Car rides may also be associated with destinations the dog doesn't enjoy, like visits to a child who always pulls on the dog's ears or stressful trips to the veterinarian.
Discomfort and pain when traveling by car
Driving a car can be painful. High frequency sounds can cut painfully into the ears and result in feelings of discomfort. If the dog has an ongoing ear infection, sounds that he/she was previously able to tolerate can become unbearable, as sound frequencies in swollen and narrow ear canals press on the eardrum in a painful way. If the dog has a physical condition in his/her body, parrying and balancing his/her body when the ground moves will also be a strenuous effort.
Common symptoms of car anxiety
All of these causes can result in similar symptoms. Dogs that pace around, pant, and have difficulty settling down in the car. They may whine, whimper, and howl, tremble, tense up, press themselves against the car floor, show reluctance to get into the car but show great motivation to get out. Diarrhea and vomiting can occur. Dogs may become agitated when the car is in motion or stationary. Signs of distress may also appear before a car ride, when the dog parent grabs the car keys, puts on their jacket, and lifts the leash off the hook.
Measures to improve car travel
Basic training for car travel
Bring the car crate indoors, unhook the crate door, place the dog's favorite blankets inside, and offer delicious treats in the crate. Create a cozy place for enjoyment, peace, and calmness. Once the dog appreciates the crate indoors, gradually introduce the concept to the car. Practice 10-15 minutes a day, place the dog in the crate in the car, sit in the front seat, do not drive anywhere! Just stay there. Read a book, relax, and let the dog chew on a bone or enjoy some treats. Around day 4, start the engine a few times, but don't go anywhere. After a week or two, if the dog seems contend and calm, back out of the driveway and drive 50-100 meters. Stop the car and let the dog come out and sniff around, perhaps train something fun. Then drive back home. Repeat daily! (consistency is key). Gradually increase the length of the trips, but preferably randomly. Drive both shorter and slightly longer distances. Practice car rides at the dog's pace. Only increase the difficulty if the dog seems fine during your journey; if the dog gets stressed, put the process in reverse.
Tips to reduce motion sickness in dogs
Avoid giving the dog a lot of food or water a couple of hours before driving. Drive calmly and with good anticipation, as hard braking and sharp turns can frighten. Drive short distances, take breaks frequently, and ensure that the dog is calm and content. Make sure that the crate is properly anchored with straps attached to the trunk's cargo loops. Some dogs feel better lying in a covered crate (thin cotton fabric, pay attention to ventilation) in the back of the car, while others do not. Try letting the dog ride in a car harness attached to a seat belt in the front seat, the possibility to look ahead can reduce motion sickness. Ginger can help with nausea, use 1 pinch per 20 kilograms of the dog's weight, sprinkle it on something tasty and give it 30 minutes before departure. There are also over-the-counter and prescription free motion sickness tablets for dogs, but always consult your veterinarian before trying any medication.
How to reduce your dog's fear of cars
The actions to take vary depending on the cause. Try using cotton balls in the dog's ears as earplugs, if that calms the dog down, fear of sound is a likely cause. Then train according to point 1, with the addition that every week you use less and less cotton. You can combine training with supplements aimed to reduce stress in dogs and/or a thunder shirt. If the dog dreads a destination, be sure to go on adventures that the dog enjoys 8 out of 10 times to turn the expectation around. If a psychological trauma is suspected or if the fear more closely resembles a phobia, then contact Petli's behavioral counselor for help; a well-trained dog psychologist with documented experience will provide you with the best guidance. The same applies if you have left the dog alone in the car, and the problem has arisen afterward; separation anxiety may then be the underlying cause and needs to be addressed first and in the right way.
Identifying and addressing pain when traveling by car
If the sound is causing pain, contact a veterinarian, and have the dog's ears examined. Only then can a diagnosis be made and treatment prescribed. If the dog suddenly and without apparent reason starts resisting when car rides, contact a veterinarian before consulting a dog psychologist. If medical conditions are part of the picture, such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, spondylosis etc., the dog should receive pain and other relevant treatment. For these dogs, it is essential that the crate is securely tied down, and the bedding is thick and shock-absorbing. Add a non-slip material at the bottom (rubber mat) of the crate, a mattress, and blankets so that the dog gets optimal stability and relief. Ensure that the dog rides on a surface that enables counterbalancing movements and that she/he can sit/lie down stably. For example, a large dog should ride in a crate in the trunk instead of being belted in the back seat. It is essential to know the cause behind the distress, so that the solutions improves instead of worsens the situation. So that, in the end, everyone can enjoy car adventures.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
Your personal dog trainer on your mobile
Petli is the app where you can train your dog in a fun format, get personalized coaching from dog experts, meet like-minded people in a warm community and exclusive discounts on great products.
