Some dogs really enjoy going on car rides. It's like a little adventure for them.
However, that's not the case for all dogs. For some, simply seeing a car is enough to make them run away. Discover the causes of this fear as well as a few ways to help your dog overcome it.
Why is my dog afraid of car rides?
If your dog is afraid of the car, most of the time this could be explained by bad experiences. For example, if all your dog's car rides were made to go to unpleasant places (such as the vet's), they may associate the car with negative things. Your dog's fear comes not from the journey itself, but from the things that are going to happen next, which they anticipate.
In this case, your stressed dog could become agitated, bark and turn every car journey into a veritable nightmare. They could start drooling, urinating, defecating and even destroying the car's interior, gnawing on seats and belts, for example.
How do I help my dog overcome their fear of car rides?
The first thing to do to prevent fear of car rides is to get your dog used to it from an early age. You should also make sure that your dog's first car rides are as pleasant as possible. For example, if possible, make sure to go on a few car rides to parks or other places that your dog perceives as pleasant.
In order to make your car ride more pleasant, provide your dog with an activity. You can, for example, give them a treat to chew on or one of their favorite toys.
If your dog cannot calm down, it is a good idea to bring them to a canine behavior expert. They will be able to analyze your dog's behavior and propose, if necessary, medication to reduce their stress.
Lastly, for your dog's safety and comfort, we strongly recommend that you put him in a crate suitable for their size when they are in the car.
You might find this article interesting: How can you secure your pet's cage in the car?
Is your dog afraid of car rides?
Lisa W