How To Manage Dog Anxiety During Long Car Rides
Anxiety in dogs can be a severe problem and lead to various challenges for their owners such as managing erratic, dangerous behavior and possibly treating physical symptoms. One place many dogs display anxiety is in the car. Luckily there are several ways you support your pup with their anxiety in and out of the car.
This post will discuss the best ways to calm dog anxiety without relying on medications. From supplements, aromatherapy, and comfy car inserts, your pup will be calm in the car before you know it. We’ll also discuss warning signs of stress and how to identify them early, so you can better support your pup.
Understanding Dog Anxiety
Anxiety in dogs is not an uncommon issue; some breeds are more prone to anxiety than others, such as German Shepherds and Labradors, but every pup can sometimes suffer from anxiety. Anxiety can manifest in different ways depending on the intensity of the situation, ranging from mild discomfort to full-blown panic attacks. Common behaviors that may indicate a dog is anxious include cowering, cuddling, pacing, or uncontrollable shaking. One environment that is known to trigger a dog’s anxiety is the car, given its unfamiliar noises and movement. Below we provide information on how to manage your dog’s car anxiety.
Diagnosing the Cause of Car Anxiety
Observing the environment for potential triggers is essential to determine what is causing their anxiety. After recognizing what your dog is responding to in the car environment, be it loud music or the motion of the car, or something else, you can better understand how to approach the situation. Recognizing the triggers helps modify the car environment to meet your pup’s needs. It is also worth considering if your pup has previous trauma in cars, so you can analyze why and modify the environment and their training regimen accordingly.
Addressing A Dog’s Car Anxiety
Once owners have identified the cause of their pup’s anxiety, they can implement a few techniques to help calm them down when they feel stressed. If you are taking your furry friend on a ride with you in the car, it is crucial to provide a safe, comforting space for them to ride such as a dog booster car seat. Additionally, providing them with calming toys to focus on while driving is key. For example, chew toys give them something to expend their energy and help lower anxiety. If their anxiety persists even after taking these steps, seek professional help from a veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist for more specific therapy options.
Preventing Future Car Anxiety
When trying to prevent future incidents of anxiety while in the car, practicing getting in and out of the car without actually going anywhere can be helpful for a dog to get used to the car as a non-threatening place. It can also be helpful to get your pup tired before long car rides by playing with them beforehand; they are more likely to sleep and remain calm after some tiring play. Additionally, giving treats during anxious moments can help create positive associations with the situation, making it more tolerable for them over time. Lastly, utilizing calming aids such as pheromone sprays and calming supplements may be beneficial, too – however, discuss with a vet before use.
Conclusion
With patience and consistency along with the methods outlined in this post, you’ll be able to help successfully combat your pup’s anxiety, so they no longer feel overwhelmed on long car rides! Try to understand the root cause of their anxiety first– be it an experience, a new environment, or something else entirely. Recognizing where it comes from will help you address it more effectively. From there, provide calming activities, comfy seating in the car, and supplements when needed. Doing so will turn your pup from an anxious passenger to a calm, cool, and collected road trip partner!