Is your dog afraid of car rides?

People like to travel and they usually do it by using car. It can be disheartening for dog owner to discover that the dog is terrified of riding with him in the car. Such fear is a very common dog phobia. Fortunately, most people are able to overcome this fear by gradually introducing the dog to riding in the car using lots of positive reinforcement.

So what causes the fear of car rides? There are several reasons:

First - car sickness. Just like people, some dogs may feel nauseous or even vomit on car rides.
Secon, the fear of the unfamiliar feeling. Dogs who aren't used to going on car rides may be disturbed by the odd feeling of riding in the car. Cars usually have their own smell, and there is also the sound of the engine, the vibrations of the floor, and seeing everything whizzing past at a fast speed.
Next one - association with negative experiences. For many dogs, the only time they set paw in a car is for a trip to the veterinarian. If your dog has negative feelings about going to the vet, he may transfer that feeling to car rides.

Now, that we knew what causes the fear, let's see how it could be overcome.

Begin by luring your dog to the car rather than forcing him to approach it. Many dogs with a fear of car rides put on the breaks as soon as the car comes into view. Instead of dragging your dog to the car, slowly lure him closer using lots of treats and praise.

Continue using positive reinforcement to get him inside. Once your dog is comfortable with approaching the car, you can begin to lure him inside. Start by opening up all the doors so your dog won't feel like he'll be trapped once he gets inside. Use treats and praise to coax your dog into the car.

Have some special bonding time with your dog inside the car. Don't rush to slam the doors shut and start the engine the minute your dog finally hops inside the car. Instead, leave the doors open, and spend some time snuggling with your dog in the car.

Start your engine. When your dog has become fairly comfortable hanging out with you in the car, you can start the engine. As soon as the car is started, give your dog some treats and talk to him in a happy tone of voice. Remember to make sure that your will travel in comfy conditions, it is a good idea to buy him special carbed.

Start off with small trips. Don't make your dog's first car ride a long road trip. The first few times out of the driveway, you should probably drive no farther than around the block, giving your dog treats the whole way. Gradually work your way up to going longer distances.