Whether it’s a quick drive to the vet’s office or a lengthy road trip, car travel can be stressful for pets. If your dog dreads getting in the car, here are some tips that might make future ventures a bit easier.
If these tips don’t seem to help your nervous dog deal with car travel, it may be time to talk to a behaviorist or veterinarian about other available options for your pet’s anxiety.
- Use a calm, matter-of-fact approach when getting your pet to the car and while you’re driving. If you’re used to reassuring or soothing your dog before an unpleasant event, they may have learned to associate your concerned tone of voice with disagreeable circumstances. It’s best to speak them in a neutral tone of voice and act as though nothing unusual is going on, even if they appear stressed. Remember to reward them with a treat or some positive attention whenever they appear calm and relaxed.
- Keep them busy and distracted in the car with a favorite toy or treat puzzle.
- Try playing some soothing music during your drive. This can help keep both you and your pet calm, as well as serve to drown out some of the road noise that may increase some pets’ stress levels.
- If your dog is comfortable and relaxed in their crate at home, try utilizing it in the car. For some dogs, being in a familiar place and cutting down on the visual stimuli of looking out the window can help greatly reduce anxiety during car travel.
If these tips don’t seem to help your nervous dog deal with car travel, it may be time to talk to a behaviorist or veterinarian about other available options for your pet’s anxiety.
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