Preparing Your Puppy for Car Rides
When car rides become a pleasure, you can easily take your four-legged friend on adventures, visit new places or let your pooch tag along to the store. Riding in a car is natural for us but not for a dog. Puppies can find it scary, new and strange. The outside world whizzes by, the road surface bends this way and that, and the noise can be unsettling. That's why it's important to give your puppy good, stress-free experiences of car rides.
Safety tips for your puppy's car journeys
Don’t let your puppy roam off-leash in the car. It can put you, your passengers, and your puppy in danger in the event of a crash or sudden braking. A cage, safety belt attached to a car harness, or dog barriers and gates in your boot are safe options. A romanticized image that should be avoided is a dog with its head hanging out of the window, ears flapping in the wind. Your puppy could get gravel or other things thrown up from the road or get hurt if you need to brake. Instead, open the window a little to let in the fresh air, or turn the fan on to give your puppy a scent of the surroundings.
Prepare your puppy for car equipment
Get your puppy used to the crate, tailgate, or seat belt in advance. Wear the car harness during walks, place the crate at home and serve treats and bones in it, or just hang out at the tailgate without driving anywhere. You want your pup to be comfortable with the situation before you roll out of the driveway.
Create routines and predictability
Get in the habit of telling your puppy what to expect. Say, "Let’s go for a drive," before you head out to the car. Let your car rides be associated with pleasant moments and rewarding adventures. You want to avoid worry, stress, and motion sickness. Puppies like routines, so practice daily until your puppy's tail wags with eagerness when you say, "Let’s go for a drive."
Let the puppy get into the car on its own
Preferably, let your puppy get into the car on her/his own. It gives a sense of control that boosts confidence. If your puppy is big enough, you can guide her/him with a treat into the car or place the front paws on the bumper so you can lift from there. Letting your puppy choose to enter or not makes it easier for you to see if your puppy hesitates. If so, you want to figure out why there is hesitation and help your puppy with the issue.
If your puppy is young or small and unable to get into the car on its own, guide your puppy toward the vehicle and calmly lift it inside. Praise during the lift and calmly put your puppy in the car before rewarding. Remember to close the tailgate or car door slowly and quietly as possible. A loud noise can be scary and make associate car rides with worry.
Positive inputs and outputs
To begin with the in and out game, open the trunk or rear doors (if your puppy rides in the back seat), and keep your puppy on a leash. Bring treats or a fun toy, and practice going in and out. Throw a reward into the car and say "Go in" before letting your puppy get in or be lifted inside. Praise and reward your puppy in the car, and say "Get out" before lifting your puppy out.
You can ask a friend to stand at the other back door and call your puppy, who may tumble over the back seats, to your friend, who rewards. Repeat the process to make it a fun game, and practice without going anywhere. The experience gives your puppy a positive experience of the car.
If your puppy refuses to get into the car, don't pressure or force it. Just get into the car yourself while your puppy stands outside and thinks about it. Sit in the vehicle and have a good time without luring or demanding that your puppy feels the same. Be a role model and see if your puppy wants to get closer to the car. If so, praise and reward your puppy, without expecting progress your puppy may not be ready for. Take it step-by-step, as no one wants to stress their way through uncertainty.
Acclimatization before the road trip
Once your puppy is in the car, take a deep breath and don't rush to start the engine. Let your puppy sniff around and calm down before your next step (motor and motion). This is called the acclimatization period, a time when your puppy gets used to the situation. This reduces anxiety.
Therefore, sit back, stretch out and take a deep breath. Talk to your puppy in a soothing voice, and when your puppy looks at you with anticipation or calm, it's time to start the engine. Try not to throw a worried glance at your puppy when the car starts. Continue to talk in a calm and happy voice.
If your puppy seems anxious, don’t drive anywhere. Instead, wait for your puppy to relax before you step out and end the session. You can repeat the car training another day. If you give your puppy time to settle in each substep towards driving, the actual drive usually runs much smoother than if you stress things.
Prepare your puppy with clear signals
Put a signal on the car journey
To make the car journey predictable, say "Let’s go for a drive" before the car journey to prepare your puppy for what is to come.
Tell the puppy what is going to happen
Say "Go in" before guiding your puppy into the car.
Signal for safe exit
Say "Get out" and give a hand signal before releasing/carrying your puppy out of the car.
If you are consistent with the routine, your dog will wait for the signal before she/he gets out of the car. A stress-free and safe exit you and your dog will appreciate.
Tell me what happens: brake, turn, honk
If your puppy becomes nervous during a car ride, try cueing events that worry. For example, say "brake" and "honk" before braking or honking the horn. Forewarnings decrease stress.
Start in a calm and collected manner
When it's time for a trip, start driving short distances at low speed, turn slowly and brake sensibly. You can put on soothing music or talk soothingly to your puppy. Let a friend ride in the back seat to stroke your puppy and reward relaxation if possible.
You can stop when your puppy is relaxed and calm and enjoy the outdoors. Do something fun but not too active. Avoid wild play, squeaky toys, or racing around. You don't want to continue the drive with an adrenaline-fueled puppy. Car rides should be associated with relaxation and fun without creating expectations of high energy.
How to deal with puppy anxiety in the car
If your puppy starts whining during your drive, just talk soothingly to your little friend, and keep your stress low. Stop the car for a break when your puppy has calmed down. You want to avoid the association whining = the car stops and adventures begin.
If, on the other hand, your puppy becomes afraid or stressed, the situation is different and should be interrupted so that your puppy does not establish fears. Redo the training at a more manageable level next time. Do not advance car training until your puppy feels secure and confident again. Let it take time.
Pack right for your puppy's car trip
- Bite-friendly chew toys (not squeaky toys as the sound is too loud)
- A blanket that smells of home
- Treats and chews
- Water bottle and suitable bowl with splash guard
- First aid kit (always good to have in the car)
- Motion sickness tablets
- An extra blanket, wet wipes, and a plastic bag if you need to clean up after motion sickness
If your puppy gets motion sickness
Some puppies get motion sickness, which inevitably creates a negative association with car rides. It may just go away when your puppy's sense of balance is fully developed. Don't feed a motion-sick puppy before a car ride.
Try having your puppy sit in the middle of the back seat to look out the front window while you drive, and turn on the air conditioning to let fresh air in. You can also practice balance to promote body control. If these methods don't help, contact your vet and ask for motion sickness tablets.
Extra tips for safe travel
- Puppies love to chew! Ensure your car is free of health hazards that your puppy may ingest. Provide toys or something to gnaw on instead of the car interior.
- An anxious or alert puppy who wants to keep an eye on the outside world passing by can benefit from a covered crate. Place a sheer fabric over the crate to dampen visual impressions from the outside making the crate a dark and cozy little den to ride in.
Articles recommended for you:
Puppy preparation: essential purchases before the puppy comes home | The different stages of puppy maturity - essential information for anyone with a puppy | Things puppy owners want to get right from the start! | How to put your puppy to sleep - for a harmonious puppy life | Socializing your dog the right way
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.
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