Are drives with your dog super stressful? Unfortunately, many dogs experience anxiety in the car, and it can be tough to work through with them.  My poor beagle is not a fan of car rides at all, so I’ve had to come up with new ways to help ease his stress. Here, I’ll share some of the tricks I use that have helped him combat this anxiety, and hopefully they can help you with your pup, too!

Getting Your Dog Familiar With The Car

I always suggest getting your dog acclimated to the car before actually going anywhere. Sometimes dogs don’t do well in the car simply because they weren’t taught what the car was, or they’ve had bad experiences in a car that we may not be aware of. With my beagle, just putting his harness on sends him into a panic. We want to change the negative association with the car and re-introduce it in a positive way. It seems simple, but it can have a big impact.

If you have a garage, park your car in the garage and close the door. (If you don’t have a garage, you can absolutely do this in your driveway. However, being in a garage allows you to keep the car doors open to make your dog feel a little more comfortable at first.) You will then want to walk your dog around the car and let them smell it.  Next, open the doors to the car and hop into the backseat with your pup. If your dog can get in on their own, have them do that; this will help them feel more in control. While you are both in the car make sure you are praising and rewarding them. You can even bring a toy with you and play with them in the backseat if they’ll let you.

When you’re ready to exit the car, have your dog hop out of the car on their own if they’re able to. This will build up their confidence and help them feel they’re acting on their own terms.  Do this a few times, over a period of a couple days. Eventually move yourself to the front seat while they sit in the back, and hang out for a few minutes. You’ll want to practice this a few times as well. Doing this little thing for 5-10 minutes a day can really change your dog’s perspective.

After your dog gets a little more comfortable being in the car, now is the time to start practicing driving just down the street or around the block. Do this once or twice a day for a few days. These small trips will build trust; your pup will realize that when you leave in the car, you will come back. When they are comfortable, you can then practice going a little further with them. I always suggest going through a drive-thru or taking a short trip to get gas. This way, the trip is a bit longer, but you won’t need to get out of the car at all. 

Walk Beforehand

The thing that I’ve found works best for me is to take my dog for a little walk prior to the car ride. This helps him to get a little bit of that nervous energy out, and also acts as a nice buffer between the house and the car. This also allows for the dog to go to the bathroom before the ride, which can reduce the chance of vomiting. Doing this has helped out tremendously!

Choose Your Seatbelt Wisely

When we first adopted our beagle, I bought him a car seat. It essentially was a box for him to sit in that was open on the top. I thought the smaller space might comfort him, but it ended up doing the exact opposite; it made him feel claustrophobic. While car seats can be an amazing addition to your car rides, it just didn’t work for us. Then, I bought him a seatbelt that latched into the existing buckle in the car, which made him feel restricted as well. It wasn’t until I got him the zipline seatbelt that he finally felt better. It allows him the freedom to roam around a little if he has to, while still keeping him secure. I highly recommend it if you have a nervous pup.

If you have a crate trained dog, you can always try crating them in the car. For many dogs, this can be a great way to travel with them. It is very safe, and the crate is their comfort space and they may feel more content to be crated while traveling. You may need to try a few different methods before you find the one that works best for you and your pup.

Invest In A Dog Hammock

If you are going to get anything for your car, this should be number one, even if you have a dog who absolutely loves car rides. As I mentioned in my previous post about car essentials for your dog, a hammock can be helpful with an anxious pup. The hammock bridges the gap between the front and back seats; this helps the dog better retain their balance, and can help absorb any bumps or turns. This keeps the dog steady and reduces the chance of them getting car sick. It also helps them to sit or lay down without feeling like they have to support themselves on just the seat, and they will get comfortable faster. 

No Food Or Water Right Before The Car Ride

I know this one seems like a given, but giving your dog adequate time to digest their food before putting them in the car is key. They still may vomit even without eating, but it will be significantly less, and will also be less uncomfortable for their stomach. This also includes treats! You may want to reward your dog with these for getting into the car, but unfortunately if you do, it will only be worse for them. Stick to verbal rewards and lots of petting.

Windows Or AC

Crack a window or turn on the AC while your dog is in the car. No, in the winter this one isn’t fun, but it truly makes a difference when the dog has enough airflow. Don’t forget that the airflow in the back of the car usually isn’t as good as in the front, so ensuring there’s a significant amount throughout the whole car will certainly help prevent your pup from feeling stuffy. It also keeps them cool, which means less panting and less of a chance of them feeling sick.

Speak With Your Vet About Supplements

If your dog is extremely anxious and need a little extra support, you can talk to your vet about certain supplements that might be helpful. There are over-the-counter supplements available to help calm your dog down, as well as stronger prescriptions. You can also ask about stomach supplements if your dog seem to be vomiting while on car rides.

*Do not give your dog any kind of supplement without consulting your vet first.*

Using these tricks has definitely eased my dog’s stress while traveling in the car. I hope these help you with your pup, too! Soon enough, they will learn to love the car.

Let me know if you try any of these tips and how they worked for you! Be sure to check out my other post on car essentials for even more tips, and, as always, tag us using the hashtag #dogsdontwearpantsblog.  Happy road tripping!