Does your dog get car sick and vomit in the car? Does he pant or salivate? Does she shake or whine? To some of us, just saying “car sick” conjures memories or thoughts of how awful that feeling can be. As a child, I always got car sick and still do if I sit in the back seat. Dogs suffer from this as well. You should discuss this with your veterinarian, and if the motion sickness is severe enough, your vet may prescribe medication to relieve some of the symptoms.
If your dog’s symptoms are not severe or you have a young puppy that you’re trying to acclimate to riding in the car, what I call “puppy steps” is definitely worth a try. Behaviors like this take time and patience, but you can see positive results if you go slowly and take small steps (puppy steps) to achieve your goal.
On the first day, leave all the doors of your car open. If you have another person to help, have one person on each side of the vehicle’s rear seat. Let your dog go in on the rear of the passenger side, onto the seat, and then out the driver’s side. Nothing should be blocking your dog from jumping in or out, meaning nothing on the seat or floor of the vehicle. Make a game out of it. Use a toy or a treat. Good distractions go a long way.
When your dog is comfortable, try sitting in the vehicle with him for five to ten minutes each time, keeping the doors open. Do this a few times a day. When your dog can relax in the seat next to you, try closing the doors on one side. As you progress and see more positive results, the next steps would be to close all the doors and stay parked in the driveway. The next step would be to start the engine and not drive anywhere. If this is going well, drive around the block, Then start increasing distance and time, making sure the ride ends in a rewarding experience by doing something your dog loves to do after each trail ride. Don’t go to the next step unless you see good results and your dog progresses.
As with humans, your dog might do better in the front passenger seat than the rear, but safety is just as important. Research states that your dog’s most secure and safe place is in the rear passenger seat. Many pet parents prefer their dogs to ride in the front passenger seat so they can be better supervised, but this is not recommended.
Either way, you must ensure your dog is secure in a “car harness.” The car harness has two large rings on the back of the dog. The seat belt should be threaded through the rings and locked in place, as all seat belts should be. If your car stops short, the seat belt will lock in position, holding your dog in place and not allowing him to be thrown through the car’s cabin.
Read More Murphdog Magazine “RIDING IN CARS WITH DOGS”
