Many dogs are afraid of vehicles, whether they are traveling or when they are passed by while walking. If your dog is afraid of being near your vehicle, it can be difficult to take him to the vet and travel anywhere that can be stressful. If your dog runs frantically every time a vehicle passes, it's likely that you'll have a hard time walking him too. The good news is that by taking your dog step-by-step and creating positive associations to replace his fear, you can overcome his fear of vehicles.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Overcoming Dog's Fear of Passing Vehicles
Step 1. Stay calm and cheerful
If you yourself are tense every time a vehicle passes by worrying about your dog's reaction, your dog will know. Your anxiety will make him anxious too. Instead, use a cheerful tone of voice and a smile when you face a passing vehicle.
- Do not pet and soothe your anxious dog. Stroking is a form of appreciation for the dog's understanding, so petting him when he's anxious will encourage this behavior.
- Don't yell or physically punish your dog for fear. Yelling at the dog will only increase his fear.
- Don't try to "cure" your dog by telling him to face his fears. This will only increase the fear, not eliminate it.
Step 2. Recognize signs of fear and relaxation in your dog
Your dog may bark or lunge at the end of the leash when a vehicle passes, but this is just an extreme form of anxiety. To train it, you need to know when the dog becomes anxious, so you can walk more slowly. Then when the dog is relaxed, you can move on to the next step.
- Common signs of fear in dogs are shaking, panting, drooling, arching, and hiding the tail.
- Signs of a relaxed dog include a relaxed posture, normal breathing rhythm, tail and ears in normal position (not hidden or lowered), wagging, and eating at a normal pace.
Step 3. Let your dog listen to traffic noises in the house
Start by opening the window while you play with him or feed him, so the dog will begin to associate the sound of cars passing by with a fun activity.
Step 4. Introduce your dog to the vehicle remotely
Once or twice a day, take your dog to the park or yard so he can see the passing vehicles and get used to it.
- Reward your dog with treats and praise every time a vehicle passes and the dog remains calm.
- Do this for about a minute, then go inside the house or walk around the park for a few minutes before coming back to see the rush of traffic.
- Introduce your dog to heavy traffic for one minute at a time, five or six times at each training session.
- For future sessions, increase your dog's introduction time to 1.5 minutes at a time. Keep adding slowly the duration of each session.
Step 5. Add commands
Giving your dog something to do will help distract him from passing cars. As you slowly approach traffic, start giving commands like "hold" or "look this way" when you see a passing vehicle. Give your dog a treat when he succeeds in obeying.
If your dog can't focus on you or doesn't obey your commands because of traffic, take a break, get away from traffic, and try again
Step 6. Wait for your dog to show signs of not being afraid before approaching traffic again
Sometimes it takes 2-3 weeks of training for the dog to relax a certain distance. There are also dogs that make it within a few days. You should always wait until your dog is relaxed and calm before moving closer.
Step 7. Walk your dog near traffic
Once your dog has managed to deal with oncoming cars and stays in place, it's time to start training him to walk. However, if your dog is showing signs of fear, don't force him to continue as this will only increase the tension and make him more anxious. Bring lots of treats, and just as you teach him to stay calm, give him orders when you see a passing vehicle. Give treats when the dog obeys.
Step 8. Train your dog to walk a certain route
In a very frightened dog, it is best to start by walking a certain route that makes him feel safe. If your dog still has difficulty walking in traffic situations, consider walking him on a special route, such as a local parking lot.
- Teach your dog to walk home first. Take your dog in your vehicle slightly away from the house, then take the dog home. If your dog is frightened, stop and wait for the dog to stop pulling on the leash before you walk him again. Moving "safely" is a reward for him for good behavior. Be sure to keep him distracted and reward him for his good behavior when a vehicle passes.
- Each day, drive your dog a little further from the house before you take him to the park. Then, take the dog for a walk home. Make a habit of walking home from this park for 1-2 weeks.
- Next, teach your dog to walk to the park. Start parking your vehicle a little further from the park, then walk your dog to the park, play, then walk home.
- Keep increasing the distance traveled as you take her to the park each day, until you can walk her from house to park and then walk back home.
Method 2 of 2: Overcoming Dog's Fear of Riding in Vehicles
Step 1. Observe the symptoms of motion sickness before assuming that your dog must be scared of driving for some other reason
If unnoticed, a simple case of motion sickness can make him anxious and link the vehicle to motion sickness. See your veterinarian for advice on medications that can relieve motion sickness symptoms. Some of the symptoms of motion sickness include:
- whining and pacing,
- excessive salivation,
- sluggish,
- throws up,
- diarrhea.
Step 2. Create a comfortable atmosphere for the dog in your car
Creating a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere for your dog can make it easier to deal with fears and in some cases will solve the problem of your dog's dislike for cars.
- Make sure that the harness is properly attached or that the cage is the right size.
- Give your dog a blanket or a toy, which can reassure him to stay calm and allow him to concentrate on something.
- Make sure that the air flow is sufficient and the air temperature is cool. Never leave your dog in a car with the windows closed as high temperatures can overheat and die.
- Get rid of the scented air freshener. The strong smell of a car can make your dog feel overstimulated, because his nose is very sensitive. Also, avoid using too much perfume in the car.
Step 3. Recognize signs of fear and relaxation in your dog
To train it, you need to know when the dog becomes anxious, so you can walk more slowly. Then when the dog is relaxed, you can move on to the next step.
- Common signs of fear in dogs are shaking, panting, drooling, arching, and hiding the tail.
- Signs of a relaxed dog include a relaxed posture, normal breathing rhythm, tail and ears in normal position (not hidden or lowered), wagging, and eating at a normal pace.
Step 4. Don't take your dog for a ride if it's still scared
Driving in a car will scare him even more, so avoid forcing this. Do this only in an emergency, until you have overcome his fears through desensitization (reducing his sensitivity to the experience) and counterconditioning (creating a pleasant relationship with the car to replace a negative experience).
Step 5.
Start by teaching your dog to approach the car without fear.
As you walk, give your dog a treat as you pass the car. Play catch-and-play or tug on the rope near the car. Feed your dog near the car, then move away and slowly slide the food bowl closer to the car. When your dog doesn't show any anxiety while eating or walking near a car, this means you're ready to move on to the next step.
Train your dog to spend time in a stationary car. You need to coax your dog into the car with a treat first. While the dog is in the car, continue to give him treats or chewable bones or special toys filled with delicious treats. Leave the car door open, and retrieve the treat when your dog leaves the car. Practice once or twice a day for a week or two.
- If the sound of the engine running scares your dog, try starting the car before the dog gets in. You can start desensitizing the dog, or keep the car running before your dog gets in.
- Once your dog looks comfortable in the car, close the door.
- As your dog seems more comfortable, try feeding him in the car.
Start the engine of your vehicle. When your dog is comfortable in the car, try starting the car with him in the car. If your dog becomes anxious, this means you need to desensitize him. Start the car engine when the dog is near the car, not in the car. Have someone give him a snack while the car engine is starting. When your dog seems comfortable, get him into the car and repeat the process.
Drive the car for a few meters and then back off. Drive your car near a parking area or a few meters down the road near your house. Stop and with the engine still running give your dog a few treats or have a short play session. Go back to your parking spot and finish the session. Keep doing this until your dog is completely relaxed during these sessions.
Go on a fun short distance trip. You should keep your first training session short, with a fun destination, such as a park or hiking trail your dog likes. If there is such a place near your house, go there. Otherwise, drive without your dog to a point closer to your destination. Then, walk with your dog to the car and drive the car with the dog to the destination. After that, walk home with your dog.
- Keep doing this habit until your dog is comfortable driving short distances.
- Park your car further away as the dog becomes more comfortable in the car.
Add another fun destination. You'll want to teach your dog to understand that your car isn't something to be afraid of, but something that's full of treats and takes him to a fun destination. Once your dog has successfully coped with the short trip, try getting him to drive further distances to places he likes, such as to your friend's house, to the pet store, or to another park further afield.
Drive on the freeway. Driving in smooth traffic will make your dog sleepy and help him relax in the car. Freeways are a great way for your dog to get used to long-distance travel in a relaxed manner.
Getting Your Puppy In The Car
-
Get your puppy used to the vehicle as early as possible. A puppy under three months of age will be easier to train to get used to a vehicle than an older dog. The best way to overcome a dog's fear of cars is to avoid it in the first place with early training.
Deal With Your Dog's Fear of Vehicles Step 20 -
Teach your puppy that cars are a fun place to be. Before you get in the car with the puppy, introduce him to the car to get used to it. Especially in summer, make sure that your car's engine is running so that the cooling can be activated. It also helps your dog become accustomed to the sound of a car engine. To help your puppy feel comfortable:
Deal With Your Dog's Fear of Vehicles Step 21 - Place the dog mattress on the seat so that your dog is comfortable and does not slip.
- Feed your puppy in the car.
- Give your dog treats, such as bones or special toys that contain delicious treats that he can chew.
-
Get used to your puppy using safety in the form of a cage or special safety leash for travel. Always wear a safety leash for the dog for his safety. When introducing a car to your dog, it's important to put a harness on him in the car or in the crate.
Deal With Your Dog's Fear of Vehicles Step 22 - If you have a harness, you can train him to wear it at home before putting him in the car. Give the dog plenty of treats while you put the leash on, then take it off. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog is on the leash, then give him a bone or chewable toy to play with while his body is on the leash.
- If using a crate, you should do some crate training on your dog before putting him in the crate in the car.
-
Start with a short trip. Dogs often suffer from motion sickness the first time they get in a car, so you should just take them for a ride. Start by getting in and out of the car park area, then gradually get further away.
Deal With Your Dog's Fear of Vehicles Step 23 - During the first 2-3 days, just move in and out of the parking area or just drive a short distance, then return to the parking area of your house. Do this exercise once or twice a day.
- Next, try driving around your house two days in a row.
- Next, try a five-minute car ride. As long as your dog is not showing any anxiety (whining, panting, shaking, curling up, or drooling excessively), you can slowly increase his mileage over the course of a few weeks.
-
Take your dog to a place he likes. If you only take the car to go to the vet, your dog will not enjoy the car ride. Especially when your dog is young, try going to fun destinations, such as parks, hiking trails, pet stores, friends' houses, or dog parks. If you can anticipate that distance, your dog won't mind long car rides.
Deal With Your Dog's Fear of Vehicles Step 24 -
Teach your dog to get in and out of the car on his own if he can. Especially for large dogs, teaching your dog to get in and out on their own will prevent you from getting back pain when the dog is fully grown.
Deal With Your Dog's Fear of Vehicles Step 25 - To get into the car: Choose a command word like “get in”. If necessary, use treats to lure your dog into the car the first time. Be sure to use the command when your dog gets in, so that the dog associates the word with his or her getting into the car.
- To get out of the car: Choose a command word like “get out”. It's important to teach your dog to wait before getting out of the car unless instructed to do so. Teach your dog the word “wait” at home. Teach your dog also to wait in the car, then give the command out. Train on a leash first, to ensure that your dog doesn't run away.
Tips
- Be patient. All training takes time. It may take a week for your dog to become comfortable with the car.
- If the dog seems upset, you may need to take a few steps back to build up his courage again. Understand that this is a temporary setback in the whole learning process.
Warning
- If you need to take your dog for a long car ride before you can train him to be ready, talk to your vet about how to calm him down. Otherwise, this journey will erase all the achievements you have achieved in the previous training process.
- Never allow your dog to sit next to the driver's seat, unless the dog is on a harness and the air bag in front is off. An active air bag can kill a dog in certain situations.
- https://www.sspca.org/PDFs/Dog-Behavior/Fearful%20Dogs.pdf
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-noises
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-noises
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-noises
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-noises
- https://www.sspca.org/PDFs/Dog-Behavior/Fearful%20Dogs.pdf
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-noises
- Sarah Whitehead, The City Dog: The Essential Guide for the Urban Owner, p. 99, (2008), ISBN 978-0-600-61724-2
- https://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/motion-sickness-in-dogs/6541
- https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/help-my-dog-hates-riding-in-the-car-what-can-i-do
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, The Well-Adjusted Dog, p. 132, (2008), ISBN 978-0-618-83378-8
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, The Well-Adjusted Dog, p. 124, (2008), ISBN 978-0-618-83378-8
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- Sarah Whitehead, The City Dog: The Essential Guide for the Urban Owner, pp. 96-97, (2008), ISBN 978-0-600-61724-2
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
- Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman, The Well-Adjusted Dog, pp. 130 and 132-133, (2008), ISBN 978-0-618-83378-8
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
-
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/fear-riding-cars
