By Elizabeth Racine, DVM

For most dogs, a ride in the car is a blast. But for some dogs, car rides can be scary or even nauseating. Your dog is always safer staying at home than riding in the car, but sometimes traveling with your dog is simply unavoidable. If your dog has trouble in the car, there are steps you can take to help make the ride go more smoothly.

The car can be a scary place for some dogs. The noise, motion and other vehicles whizzing past can be overwhelming for a nervous dog. Signs that your dog may be feeling anxious in the car include:

If your dog is anxious in the car, you can help by showing him that the car is a fun place to be! Start by having him sit in the car while it’s parked and the engine is off. Offer him tasty high-value treats — something really good that he doesn’t get very often. Reward him for lying down calmly while he is in the car. Once he has gotten the hang of this — and it may take several sessions! — you can turn the car engine on and continue to reward him for calm behavior. 

When he is comfortable with the engine noise, you can gradually progress to having a friend drive the car while you continue to reward your dog. Start with short trips at first, such as around the block, and gradually build up to longer sessions in the car. The key to this desensitization training is to go at your dog’s pace and stop well before he reaches the point where he becomes stressed or anxious. With time and lots of rewards, your dog can learn that the car is not scary after all!

Some dogs - particularly young puppies — experience car sickness just like humans do. This can also make them more prone to being anxious during car rides. Signs that your dog may be feeling nauseous in the car include:

Young puppies will often outgrow car sickness as they get older.  Many dogs will also do better having a window open and fasting for a few hours before the car ride. You can also try to acclimate your dog to the car by starting with short trips around the block and gradually increasing the length of your drives. Still, in some dogs, car sickness is a lifelong problem. In these cases, it is best to avoid car travel as much as possible. If travel is necessary, your veterinarian can prescribe medication to help control your dog’s nausea. Never give your dog over the counter medications or those intended for humans without consulting with your veterinarian first.

Even when getting your dog accustomed to riding in a car, safety should always be your top consideration. Surprisingly, one survey reported that only 16 percent of pet parents use any kind of pet restraint when driving with their dog. Consider padded harnesses that connect to the car’s seatbelts or strapped-down crates. And since airbags can cause pets serious injury, never let your dog ride in the front seat.

Car rides can be stressful for some dogs, but with patience and practice, you may be able to help your dog learn to love riding in the car! Remember, for your dog’s safety you should never leave him unattended in any vehicle — even if he loves the car.