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Getting
Fido Over his Car Phobia
Trying
to plan a fabulous getaway for the whole family, but you're afraid of how your
dog will act in the car? Does he drool, shake or even vomit? Or maybe your dog
just flat-out refuses to even get in the car.
No
matter how much the pet owner wants to take their beloved pet on a road trip,
some animals have extremely negative reactions to even being in the car. Like
humans, pets can have actual motion sickness caused by an inner ear problem, but
this is rare. More often than not, the culprits are learned fear and anxiety.
Being
afraid of the car is not normally associated with a traumatic incident, such as
a car accident. Usually, the first few car experiences for a little puppy are
not particularly pleasant. The negative association with being taken to the vet
or away from his first home can leave a lasting impression.
There
are some steps you can try at home to help your pooch get over the overwhelming
fear of car travel. First, you have to start at a place where your dog is comfortable.
Is he only afraid of the car when it's turned on? Is he comfortable with the car
until the door is opened? Will he even go in the car? Just do a quick assessment
to determine what your starting point needs to be.
If
your dog doesn't even want to go anywhere near the car, start by brining him as
close as he will get to the car without becoming fearful. Make sure you have him
on a lead just in case his fear grows into a need to sprint! Sit with your dog
and offer treats as rewards. Gradually move closer to the car offering treats
at each increment. When your dog begins to show signs of anxiety, it's time to
back up again. This step should end when the dog is comfortable sitting beside
the car.
Getting
him in the car is another matter entirely. A good way to do this is to make it
a little game. Open up both of the back doors and crawl through the car. Your
dog will most likely be sitting on the ground initially refusing to follow you.
Continue to gently tighten the lead as you go through the car "tunnel"
you have created. Eventually, your dog will hop in the car and follow you through.
Once he does this, offer treats and lavish praise. Then run around the car and
do it again so that he views it as a game.
Once
he is comfortable going through the car. Sit in the car with your pooch and a
few favorite snacks. This should be a positive experience, so pet, sweet talk,
and feed him - whatever it takes. You may have to do this with the car door still
open at first, but eventually you should be able to close it without a negative
reaction.
The
next big hurdle is the sound of the engine. For some animals, this is the root
of their fear of the car. Give your dog a treat before and after you start it
up. Provide a lot of reassurance and comforting.
Once
the noise of the engine no longer bothers your dog, get him used to the motion
of the car. Start by just driving up and down the driveway as slowly as possible.
Offer treats each time you stop. Remember repetition is the key. If your dog does
fine up to this point, but continues to get sick whenever you move the car, ask
your vet if it could be actual motion sickness. There are medications that can
be prescribed.
Once
the driveway is conquered, then head around the block. Continue to make trips
longer and, as always, provide positive reinforcement in the form of treats and
praise. Make sure that once these little journeys go farther than down the street
that you end up at a pleasant destination such as the park.
Pets
make excellent traveling companions, so the time spent helping your pet overcome
his fear will be time not only well spent, but generously rewarded! If your pet
never seems to overcome the fear of car travel, consult your veterinarian for
possible anti-anxiety medication or a referral to an animal behavior specialist.
