How to Train Your Dog to Ride If your puppy is afraid to ride, it can be a hassle to travel with him or even take him to errands. Some puppies go crazy, cry, and even get sick while driving. Why Puppies Hate Cars While some pets look forward to car rides, it’s understandable why some pets dread these trips, as many rides end up being vaccinated at the veterinarian and plugged into various thermometers to take their temperature.
Alleviating travel fears connects the car with a fun, joyful experience, not just a visit to the vet. This process, called desensitization, takes patience and time, but it works whether the pet is frightened, sick, or hyperactive. Once your puppy realizes that riding in a car means good things, he will look forward to every trip. For a very scared puppy, keep his food bowl near the car and let him enjoy a meal. Get used to it after a few days, open the car door if you feel comfortable, and feed the dog in the back seat. Between feeding times, throw non-messy treats in the open car door for the pup to find. The dog should learn the good things that can happen when you are near the car. Try playing games or tricks near the car. If you let the dog crawl in with the door open, don’t make a fuss and just keep playing like it’s no big deal.
Make sure the car is parked safely. Never play the game on the street or in a moving car. Sit quietly in the car When your puppy eats or gets distracted in the back seat, sit in the front seat behind the steering wheel. Just sit there for a while, like it’s no big deal, and get out so it knows nothing terrible can happen when you’re in the car. This trains the puppy to get used to the day. Start the car the next day while you’re behind the wheel and your pup is chewing a treat in the back seat. Then turn off the motor and go out without doing anything. Do this three or four times during the day until the pet takes it for granted. Take a (very) excursion At the end, after you start the car, return the car to the end of the lane and stop. Do this two or three times in a row, always letting the pet out when you come back. If the puppy purrs, paces, or appears nervous, you may be running too fast. This process takes a while, but it does work. Continue to increase your ride time incrementally—circle the block and go home, then go to the nearest interesting place, like a park, before going home. Go to a place you know your dog will love.
Infuse every car trip with optimism and positivity, and the experience will make the dog look forward to the next trip. Common Problems Puppies can be crushed to death by deploying airbags, so put them in the back seat. Numerous accidents have occurred when a dog is trampled underfoot and the driver fails to use the brakes or accelerator properly. On top of that, a dog in the front seat is a distraction and you need to focus on driving. Once your dog is too big to fit in a suitable car’s dog crate, consider installing a gated barrier or attaching a harness for the dog, using a harness for safety. While your dog may not like this at first, it’s the safest in the long run. You can gradually ease your dog’s fears by making sure that most of your car travel goes to your dog’s favorite destinations. With persistence, you can have a pet that will not only endure the ride, but eagerly await.
