Does your dog dread a spin in the car so much that he refuses to get in? Or is he a poor traveler that braves the torments of the road?
Some dogs just don't want to get into the car at all and this can be for a number of reasons. Fear of traveling is one of the obvious ones. This is not normally the result of an incident, like a road accident, but more commonly because of a negative association with car travel, like being sick. If a puppy learns this association on one of its first journeys, it may stay with it, causing apprehension about getting in a car in anticipation of being sick again, even in adulthood.
Sometimes the fear doesn't result from a learnt association, but from a simple lack of experience. Owners are often advised to keep their puppy at home until its vaccinations are complete. Consequently, the puppy's first experience of the car, apart from the initial journey home, comes quite late in the development of its ability to cope with the world in general. Some people have little reason to put their dog in the car because they exercise it close to home; as a result, the associations the dog develops can be negative ones, such as trips to the vet for injections.
I personally read a lot of literature before bringing my puppy home six years ago, and had great success with the travel training tips. No sooner did I bring my furry friend home, then I had her back in the car, doors left open, and just a few minutes of play and maybe a treat or two. This went on for a few sessions before the door was closed, and we sat in the car.
A few more sessions and the engine is turned on. Finally, the first car ride was around the block, and then around the neighborhood. There were a few whimpers on the first couple of excursions, but it didn't take long before the trips were part of our daily routine. Now my dog goes with me everywhere and for that reason, has no fear of the veterinary visit. On the other hand, she loves her vet visits because she associates it with potentially meeting other dogs.
If you have a mature dog that needs to become comfortable with traveling, you can employ the same gradual introduction as described earlier. Bring your dog's toy of choice and treat of choice to the training sessions. Make the experience fun and interesting.
Some dogs that are anxious about car travel will pant anxiously throughout the journey and even salivate copiously, which is a physiological response to anxiety. It may a response to movement in the same way as seasickness is induced by the movement of a boat. If this is the problem, medication may be required. If you suspect that travel sickness rather than anxiety is the difficulty, it would be wise to discuss the matter with your vet. Once a successful treatment has been found, taking several long journeys in quick succession often works.
Christine Ferguson
