When you have a dog in your life, nothing beats taking him places to play and hike. But some pups aren't too thrilled with the prospect of jumping into the hybrid and making for wide open spaces. He may shy away from the car before getting in or act out during the trip. His actions may be the result of general fear of the noise and strangeness of your vehicle or he may have the idea that only bad things happen when he travels in it. (Going to the vet, etc.)
In order to desensitize your dog to car trips, start small and work your way up. When you have time, go through the same routine you would if you were taking him for a walk. Go out to the car and ask him to sit. Bring treats along to help make this positive. It would be best if both of you did this together.
One person will drive while the other one sits with him in the back. Stay happy and talk to him in a friendly voice. Don’t reassure him! That will sound too much like anxiety and your dog will feel wound up again. Both of you have to act like this is the greatest thing you all could be doing. For no reason at all give Rex a treat from time to time.
If he reacts to other dogs or people outside the car, say his name and when he turns to you give him a treat, praising the way he focused on you.
At first, keep the trips very short, around the block. After getting home you may repeat the “door routine”, mentioned in an earlier column. You both get out first, then Rex gets out when you call him. He sits, then goes to the front door. Then sit, you go in, he goes in, sit and you release him.
You need to do this two or three times a week, gradually increasing the length of the trip until he doesn’t display overt anxiety. The point of the exercise is to gradually replace his anxiety with positive thoughts and experiences when dealing with the car.
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