How to Help A Dog With Car Anxiety?

This dog blog will discuss one of the most common problems when travelling in the car with your dog: anxiety. Dog anxiety is a familiar problem by many dogs when they are on the road. In order to eliminate dog anxiety we gathered the best tips to prevent such problems. 

This blog will be your ultimate guide about how to travel with dogs. These must-follow tips will help you to be prepared when you are hitting the road. Whether you're going on a short or long trip - you will be successfully prepared! 

What Are The Symptoms of Dog Anxiety?

Dogs with travel anxiety may exhibit one or more of these behaviors:

• Resists getting into the car;
• Trembling;
• Whining or barking;
• Panting, yawning or drooling;
• Constant lip-licking;
• Chewing or licking themselves;
• Urinating or defecating;
• Vomiting;
• Tries to escape while riding in the car.

Dog Anxiety & Causes

A variety of factors can lead to travel anxiety in dogs:

• Motion sickness or other bad experience while traveling, causing a negative association with car trips;
• Learning that a car ride means going somewhere unpleasant, such as the veterinarian’s office;
• Stressed by certain sights or sounds while riding in the car (e.g., car noises, traffic, etc.);
• Feeling unstable or insecure while in motion.

Preventing & Treating Travel Anxiety in Dogs

There are several effective strategies to use before and during car travel with your dog to help calm and reassure her:

• Invest in good dog travel elements: dog car seat, dog seat belt & a harness.
• Start with short car journeys: let your dog get used to the car seat at home first. By using a dog car seat, you can bring the comfort of home into the car. Then start slowly with short car trips and fun destinations such as the beach or forest. During the car journey, it helps considerably if you reward your dog well with cuddles or treats. 
• Personal scents & accessories: travelling in the car is different for every dog, so it is wise to bring something from home into the car. For example, a rug, a cuddly toy or a toy. The smell and comfort of home will help the dog to slowly get used to the car.
• Exercise your dog about 20 minutes before your car trip. Activity stimulates endorphins (“feel-good” hormones) and will also tire her out; she might even settle down for a nap once you hit the road.
• Bring her favorite dog toy. She’ll especially enjoy the recognizable smell of her plush toys.
• Keep the car comfortable. Regulate the temperature; crack the window or sunroof to allow in some fresh air (don’t allow your dog to hang her head out the window). Soothing music can also reassure your dog. If you plan to crate her, make sure the crate is level and flat, not listing to one side; cover it with a towel if that seems to calm your dog.
• Talk to your vet about pheromones. These are chemicals animals release which affect other animals of the same species, usually through smell. A female dog releases a pheromone that calms and reassures her newborn puppies; its synthetic version is available in a spray or collar, and has been shown to help anxious dogs during car travel.
• Experiment with homeopathic remedies. The efficacy of these is less documented, but some dog owners swear by them. Made from the essences of flowers and plants, they’re worth a try.
• Anti-anxiety pressure wraps have been shown to help anxious dogs in stressful situations.

Read more: 9 Best Outdoor Activities That Dogs Love

#9x Tips - Dog Anxiety When Travelling

Dog car anxiety is very common. There are a number of reasons your dog might be anxious in the car. It could be that the car’s movement makes them nauseous. Not only that, but it could be that they only ride in the car when they’re going somewhere like the vet. It could be that the sound and vibration of the engine are too much. Whatever the reason, a dog’s car anxiety can be overcome with patience and, in some cases, a visit to the vet.

#1 Preparation For Travelling With Dogs

Every dog breed is different - make sure to be prepared to your dog special preparations. In a different blog we have covered many dog breeds to travel on the road with them. Read more about the different dog breeds tips to transport them in the car:

• Italian Greyhound
• Bulldog
• Dachshund
• Whippet
• Shetland Sheep
• Basenji
• Shiba Inu

#2 Create Comfort & Safety

Dogs, like humans, can have comfort items that make them feel more at home and help get rid of stress they may be feeling. To make your pup feel more at home in your car, bring some of these comfort items. These may include, a dog bed, some favorite toys and a favorite treat. Remember, your dog is most likely scared of the car, so you want them to be as comfortable in it as possible.

When you are hitting the road it is important to be prepared to offer your dog the best comfort and safety. Get your dog a special designed dog car seat and secure them with the safety belt to the harness. Using a dog car seat you will prevent dog car sickness and you will tackle your dog anxiety. 

A dog booster seat creates a better view to look outside the car. Your dog will have the possibilities to take a look at their surroundings. You can easily place the travel bed next to the driver, so that you can still cuddle your dog along the way.

Read more: Ugly Truth About Car Sickness By Dogs

#3 Teach Your Dog To Love The Car

Desensitization is a step-by-step method of gradually introducing your dog to the car. Counter-conditioning changes your dog’s emotional response from negative to positive by having great stuff happen near and inside the car.

If the car is a scary place, just approaching it will produce anxiety. To treat the fear, you’ll need to start there—helping your dog form a positive reaction to the car before even starting the engine.

• Step 1: Begin by walking towards the car, rewarding your dog with a small, high-value treat for approaching. Repeat until your dog is happy to approach the car;
• Step 2: Approach the car, open the door and reward. Walk away. Repeat several times;
• Step 3: When your dog is able to stand comfortably next to the car with the door open, begin to encourage them to investigate the car on their own. Place a high-value treat inside and speak happily to them while they search. Start with the treats near the door and, as your dog becomes more bold, encourage them to put more of their body inside to find the reward;
• Step 4: Next encourage your dog to enter the car and close the door for one second, then open the door and reward your dog, allowing them to exit if they wish. Repeat until you can close the door for 30 seconds to one minute without your dog becoming concerned;
• Step 5: Encourage your dog to enter the car, then close the door and get in the front seat, rewarding your dog for calm behavior once you’re fully seated. When they’re able to stay calm, try starting the car, rewarding your pup, then turning off the car and allowing your dog to exit;
• Step 6: Drive very brief distances (i.e., a block) before stopping the car, rewarding your dog and allowing them to exit. Gradually increase the distances if your dog is relaxed

Read more: Rules & Requirements of Travelling with Dogs - in Europe

#4 Bring Delicious Treats 

At each stage of the process of teaching, give your dog something beloved like a special toy, delicious treats, or a meal. You can even play games together or have a trick training session. Anything goes if it helps your dog link the car with food and fun. Only move closer when your dog is completely relaxed at the current stage. If your dog stops eating or playing, you’ve moved too fast. Simply take a step or two backward until your dog relaxes then start again. You might be inside the car in minutes, or it might take weeks. Be patient and move at your dog’s pace.

#5 Familiar Scents & Anti-Anxiety Jackets

Providing your dog with a favorite toy, or an article of clothing with your scent (check your laundry basket) may help. This can calm your dog and make the car experience more enjoyable. Just be careful and make sure your dog is not likely to chew up and eat what you offer. After all, if they eat it, you’ll likely be trading travel anxiety for an intestinal obstruction. Those obstructions can require costly surgery to resolve, so they’re best avoided.

Read more: #10 Packing List For A Long Road Trip With Dogs

#6 Calming Supplements

There are some good calming supplements on the market that can help dogs relax a bit in a variety of situations. Which ones might work best for your dog in certain situations, like travel anxiety, can be a bit of trial and error. But the three listed below are often good, safe, and reliable places to start (after a conversation with your vet, of course).

• Solliquin Calming Treats for Dogs
• Vetoquinol Zylkene Behavior Support Capsules for Dogs
• VetriScience Composure Calming Chews

#7 Make Your Dog Tired (Tips of Dog Owners)

Give your dog plenty of exercise before even getting in the car. A run or a long walk can get rid of extra energy, meaning your dog will be more tired and calm in the car. If you are planning to do this, bring water to keep your dog hydrated while in the car. Consistently tire your dog out each time before a car ride until they grow used to the car.

#8 Bring A Friend

It’s okay to reassure your dog when he’s stressed; comfort isn’t a reward for unwanted behavior, but rather a tool to help you manage your dog’s anxiety. However, comforting your dog while driving is a major, and dangerous, distraction. If you have a friend who can ride shotgun and provide calm reassurance, ask them to join you on the road trip! 

#9 Invest in a Dog Car Seat

L'élianne ® designer dog car seat is original, exclusive & innovative designed for any car-adventure. Our iconic dog travel bed provides the best protection, comfort, and support during dangerous & unsafe situations.

The dog booster seat is a must-have to instantly master anxiety, stress or car sickness. The elevated seat provides a breathtaking view of the outside world. L'élianne ® strives for a future where dogs no longer have to feel such problems.

The luxury dog booster car seat functions as an airbag effect during sharp turns, hard brakes & high bumps. By recreating the comforts of your home for small to medium-sized dogs into the car.

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