Travel & Car Anxiety
Help your dog feel safe and comfortable during car journeys and travel
Not Veterinary Advice
Understanding Travel Anxiety
Many dogs experience anxiety related to car travel, whether due to motion sickness, fear of the unknown destination, or negative past experiences. With gradual desensitisation, most dogs can learn to travel calmly.
Signs of Travel Anxiety
Dogs with travel anxiety may display:
- Reluctance to get in the car
- Excessive drooling or vomiting
- Panting, whining, or barking
- Pacing or inability to settle
- Trying to escape or jump between seats
- Freezing or shutting down
Common Causes
Travel anxiety can stem from:
- Motion sickness (especially in puppies)
- Fear of the destination (vet, groomer)
- Lack of early positive car experiences
- Traumatic incident during travel
- Feeling confined or trapped
Car Desensitisation Programme
Follow these steps for the best results
Rule Out Motion Sickness
Consult your vet about anti-nausea medication if your dog vomits or drools excessively. Motion sickness can create lasting negative associations with cars.
Stationary Car Training
Start with the car parked and engine off:
- Feed meals in the stationary car
- Play games near the open car
- Sit in the car giving treats for 5-10 minutes
- Practice getting in and out calmly
- Progress to closing doors briefly
- Only move to next step when dog is completely relaxed
Engine Running
Once your dog is comfortable in the stationary car:
- Start engine while dog is in car receiving treats
- Keep engine running for increasing durations
- Practice over several sessions
- Don't move the car yet
Short Journeys
Begin with very brief trips:
- Drive to end of driveway and back
- Gradually extend to around the block
- Make the destination positive (park, not vet)
- Keep trips short and successful
- Practice several times per week
Safety and Comfort
Create a secure, comfortable travel environment:
- Use a crash-tested harness or travel crate
- Provide familiar bedding
- Ensure good ventilation
- Avoid feeding 2-3 hours before travel
- Take breaks on longer journeys
- Keep temperature comfortable
Positive Destinations
Build positive car associations:
- Drive to fun places: parks, beaches, friends' houses
- Occasional short trips that go nowhere (prevent vet prediction)
- Always end on a positive note
- Reward calm behaviour in the car
Action Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you're covering all the important steps