Some people feel nervous about riding in cars, and the same goes for many dogs. Many dogs simply don’t understand the purpose of a car—aside from the fact that it moves quickly and things zip by, which can be overwhelming and stressful for them. You can learn how to get your dog to love going for car rides.
Most dogs who avoid getting into cars do so because the car itself causes them anxiety. Sometimes, the stress is simply about the physical act of getting into the car. However, more often, it’s the ride itself or the fact that the destination is always somewhere unpleasant.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help your dog feel more comfortable with car rides. If the destination is the stressor, try taking more trips that lead to fun experiences—like a stop at the drive-through for a tasty treat. This will help your dog associate car rides with positive outcomes. (Remember that dogs are great at picking up patterns, so they might still get stressed as you approach a place they’ve learned to dislike.)
If your dog is stressed about getting into the car itself, breaking the process down into small steps can help. Techniques like hand targeting or shaping are great tools for this. Instead of luring your dog into the car, which they often catch on to and avoid, play a game where your dog gets a reward for targeting your hand near and far from the car. Gradually, you can work towards your dog targeting your hand while inside the car.
I’ve used this process with many dogs, and it’s often helpful to combine the hand targeting game with making the car a predictor of fun destinations.
Remember, this process can take time—days or even weeks. If you’re concerned that your dog’s discomfort might be due to car sickness, consult your vet for additional support.
Ready to help your dog feel calm and confident about car rides? Contact 'Good Dog' Training today to get started on building positive car experiences for your pup!
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