There are many possible causes of car anxiety, including medical conditions, but they can also be caused by environmental factors such as loud noises and unfamiliar surroundings.
In addition, it is important to note that not all dogs experience car anxiety.
Some dogs don’t seem bothered by traveling in cars, while others have no issues whatsoever.
It’s normal for different breeds of dogs to react differently to a variety of circumstances.
It is also worth mentioning that although car travel can sometimes trigger your dog’s anxiety, it doesn’t mean that they won’t get along with other forms of transportation.
You should still keep an eye on your dog while they are riding in a vehicle.
Let’s look at what could be causing your dog’s symptoms of car anxiety, and then learn about how to help resolve the problem.
How to Make Car Rides More enjoyable for Your Dog
Before you rush to book an appointment with your vet, however, there are some things you can do to make car rides more enjoyable for your dog.
1. Get them used to the car before driving long distances
If you don’t want to go through the whole process of taking your dog to the vet and waiting for an appointment, you should try getting them used to the car (and maybe your neighborhood) before making longer trips.
You could also take them for short drives, like to the park or to friends’ houses.
Even if they don’t like it at first, keep doing this until they get used to it.
2. Use treats to distract them
Treats work great when distracting your dog during car rides.
However, you have to use treats that are not too big but still edible enough to give them to your dog.
Some dogs will eat treats off the floor while others will only eat treats that you offer them on their own bed.
Either way, the key is to distract them and keep them occupied.
3. Keep them in the backseat
In order to make sure your dog doesn’t feel trapped in the car, you need to keep them in the backseat.
This is especially true if they are already afraid of going into new places.
Put a blanket or pillow in the backseat so your dog has somewhere to sleep.
Also, if they start shaking, put something soft between them and the front seats.
This way, they won’t be able to shake themselves out of fear.
4. Be patient
Car rides can be stressful for both humans and dogs.
It’s hard to predict how a trip will turn out.
So, if you notice that your dog is shaking, calm down instead of shouting at them.
Instead, just be patient and wait for them to settle down again.
They might be fine after a few minutes.
5. Don’t stop along the way
Don’t stop wherever you happen to be.
If your dog starts shaking, keep going anyway.
This will help them get used to the car ride and eventually calm down.
If you do stop, though, put them in the backseat again.
Once they get used to being in the car, you can slowly drive up to the next place without stopping.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and playtime. Exercise helps relieve stress and keep your dog’s body in shape. Playtime allows your dog to socialize and be active. Be patient with your dog. Sometimes, your dog may take longer than expected to adjust to changes in their environment. Teach your dog to trust you. Teach them to associate car rides with fun and safety. Once they learn that you won’t leave them alone in the car, they will start trusting you more. Try to avoid stressful situations. If your dog starts shaking when you are driving through a busy city street, try avoiding those streets. Instead, go to quieter roads where traffic is less frequent. Don’t force your dog to do things that they aren’t comfortable with. If your dog is afraid of certain situations, then you shouldn’t make them do them. Don’t ever push your dog to do anything they don’t want to do. Make sure your dog has a good quality pet carrier. A quality pet carrier will allow your dog to ride comfortably without getting stressed out. They will also be able to stretch out and stay warm while riding around in the car. Keep your dog safe. Keep your dog inside the car when you are driving through areas where there are lots of distractions. Try to keep your dog calm by using positive reinforcement techniques. Reward your dog every time they stop shaking.
Conclusion
If you are wondering why your dog shakes during car rides, it’s probably not because he’s afraid of flying (although that could also be a possibility).
Most likely, his shaking is caused by an underlying medical condition or perhaps some kind of injury.
So what can you do if your dog is shaking in the car?
The most important thing is to make sure that your pet has proper dental care and that his health is being monitored regularly by a vet.
A healthy dog should never shake at all while riding in the car.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
