How can I make my dog more comfortable in the car?
You might want to take your dog on his first park visit. Or it might be time for a checkup at the vet. The fact is that you have to get your pup in the car. Before you back out of your driveway, there are a few tips to know to help your doggo be more comfortable in the car.
Before you go
First, before you leave you need to do a few things. The most important is to not let your dog have a lot of food or water before you go. Kids and dogs have that part in common. Never let either have too much food before getting in the car.
You also want to make sure your dog isn’t afraid of the car. Let your dog check it out. Let him sniff around, walk around the car, and if you don’t mind the hair everywhere, let him roam around the inside. He needs to feel safe.
In the car
You need to have a nice setup for your pooch in the car. You could put some towels down on the seat he likes best. You could put down a smaller dog bed so he has somewhere to lay down.
You should also bring a toy for him or one of his comfort items. If he has a favorite chew, squeaky, or soft toy, let him bring that along. If has a favorite blanket or pillow or stuffed animal, let him cuddle with that during the drive.
While driving
It’s best to crack the windows if it’s not too cold out. Even if it is cold, crack whichever one he’s by. If your dog overheats in the car, he’ll either get sick or freak out. He’ll hate being in the car. Keeping him cool is safest and best.
Don’t go for long drives for the first few trips. Take your pup with you to go run through the drive thru. Take your dog with you on shorter trips so he gets used to the car and the motion. Work your way up to bigger and longer trips.
Get your dog moving around
Take your pup on a walk a little bit before you have to leave. You’ll tire him out so he’ll be more relaxed and maybe sleepy for the drive. But you’ll also help keep him from being sore and stiff when you get home.
Pretty soon your good boy will love going for drives.
