If your puppy fears riding in the car, it can be a hassle to travel with it, even to bring it along on errands. The process takes a while, but it works. Learning what you can certainly do to ease those fears means that knowing how to train your puppy for car rides will grow into an excellent traveling companion at home and away.
Why Puppies Hate Cars
While some pets look forward to car rides, it’s understandable why several develop a fear of these trips. Many car rides end up at the veterinarian for vaccinations and unpleasantly cold thermometers inserted in uncomfortable places.
You may want to comfort your frightened pet, but take care not to imitate the sounds your dog is making. When you make what you think are soothing, sympathetic sounds, it can sound to your dog like its own whining. You could be reinforcing that car rides are uncomfortable and scary, even for humans, and giving your puppy justification to continue fussing.
Ease Travel Fears
Associate cars with fun, happy experiences instead of just a trip to the vet. This process, called desensitization, takes patience and time, nonetheless it works whether a pet acts scared, sick, or just hyper. Once your puppy realizes a car ride means wonderful things, it will look forward to every trip. Never play games in the street or with a moving car. After several days when it’s used to that, leave the car door open and feed the dog in the back seat if you’re comfortable with that. In between feeding times, throw non-messy treats in the open car door for the pup to find.
Your dog should learn good things that can happen when you’re near the car. Try playing a game or doing tricks in the vicinity of the car. If you leave the car doors open and the dog climbs in, don’t make a big fuss, just continue the sport like it’s no huge deal.
Be sure the car is safely parked, away from the street and with the parking brake on.
For a very frightened pup, set its food bowl near the car, and allow it to enjoy a meal.
Sit in the Car Quietly
When your pup’s eating or otherwise distracted in the back seat, get within the front seat behind the steering wheel. Just sit there for a while like it’s no big deal, then get out, so it understands nothing scary happens when you’re in the automobile too. Do this for one day.
The next day when you’re behind the wheel and your puppy’s munching treats in the back seat, start the car. Then turn off the motor and get out without going anywhere. Do this three or four times during the day time until the pet takes it as a matter of course.
Take (Very) Short Trips
Finally, after you start the car, back the car to the end of the driveway and stop. Do this two or three times in a row, always letting the pet out right after you return. If the puppy whines, paces or shows stress, you may be moving too fast for it. Some puppies throw fits, cry, and even get sick on the drive.
Continue increasing the car-time by increments-a trip around the block and then home, then a trip to the nearest fun place like the park before returning home. Go somewhere you know your dog will enjoy. Make every car trip upbeat and positive so the experience makes the canine look forward to the next trip.
Crate Train in the Car
It’s a good idea to crate train and confine your pup while in the moving car. A loose animal inside the vehicle can be dangerous both to the pet and the driver. Invest in a seat end up beinglt, car barrier, or a kennel.
Problems and Proofing Behavior
Puppies can be crushed by deploying airbags, so keep them in the back seat. Many accidents have happened when a dog gets underfoot and the driver can’t use the brakes or accelerator appropriately. Above all, a dog in the front seat is a dis usually traction, and you need to keep your attention on your driving.
Once your dog is too big to fit in a car-size crate, consider installing a gated barrier or fit the dog with a harness, using the seatbelt for safety. While your dog may not like this at first, it is the safest thing for the long run.
By ensuring that most of your car trips are to destinations your dog will enjoy, you can gradually ease your pet’s fears. With persistence, you may have a pet who not only tolerates car rides but eagerly looks forward to them.
By Dog Care Tip
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