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Seven tips to introduce your dog to car rides
At Guide Dogs Victoria, we teach our Guide Dogs in training to sit in a car’s footwell so they can travel safely with their handlers, but your PAWfect pet pooch will approach car rides a little differently…
Although humans are accustomed to regularly zipping and zooming around in cars, it’s a skill that needs to be taught to dogs.
Why should I familiarise my dog with car rides?
Getting your dog familiar with the experience of driving can:
- ease car anxiety
- prevent future car sickness
- remove fear of new experiences.
Training your dog to ride in the car
Your dog’s first car ride isn’t going to be perfect, but you can work towards it! These seven tips will have you calmly hitting the road in no time.
1. Safety first
Keep your canine passengers safe and supPAWted by placing them in a crate, a pet-safe car seat or harness in the back of the car. Unrestrained puppy passengers can cause distractions and put others on the road at risk.
2. Make sure the pup is comfortable well before the car ride
Creating a safe and comfortable experience starts ahead of the journey. If you have an anxious pup, playing or exercising before getting in the car can help with their nerves. This can also include familiarising the dog with the car days or weeks before a trip. Try doing activities your dog enjoys in or near the parked and turned-off car or coax them into exploring the vehicle using treats.
3. Limit food and water to avoid accidents
Car sickness is an entirely new experience and sensation for dogs. Keep accidents at bay by limiting food and water for two to three hours before riding in a car, so the pup doesn’t have a full stomach during the journey. Having a window cracked will also keep the temperature inside cool and minimise the risk of sickness.
4. Start slow and short
For the first car ride, a short trip at a slow speed is ideal. Take corners slowly and break considerately when you have an anxious dog in the car finding their bearings.
5. Keep heads and paws inside the ride at all times
Open windows are irresistible to our canine ride-sharers, but it’s not all fun and games. Risks include rubbish or dirt blowing in their eyes, ear damage from fast winds, or fatal falls.
6. Use positive reinforcement
Positive associations with cars will make trips much more fun, and a tasty treat will do just the trick! Avoid ‘comfort talk’ if the dog starts to whine or gets restless. Once they’ve settled on their own, then bring out the treats for a job well done.
Want to know more about why we use rewards-based training at Guide Dogs Victoria? Visit and explore our resource on Guide Dog Welfare and Positive Reinforcement Training.
7. Have fun with it
Training your dog to ride in the car doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. It’s another chance for you and your furry friend to bond and learn together. Keep it fun, have a play beforehand, and have your pup’s favourite treats stocked up to make it an extra rewarding experience for you both.
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