Most dogs love riding in the car. The car means a nice change in routine, some new scenery, and a chance to be with you. What could be better? Some dogs, however, get car sick and terribly frightened in the car, generally due to some trauma they received as a result of their first few rides, or even the first one. Fear of the car can bring on terrible behaviors, such as vomiting, drooling, whining, barking, shaking, and destruction of the inside of the car.

            To get the pup used to the car, try this protocol – remember to take as long as the pup needs to move forward with each step:

1. Walk the puppy around the car a few times, clicking and treating as you go. You’re just getting the pup used to being near the car.
2. Open the car doors and walk the pup again around the car, clicking and treating.
3. Sit inside the car with the door open, holding the leash, and clicking and treating for any movement toward you or the car.
4. Up the ante so that the pup’s head has to be an inch inside the car to get a treat – then two inches, then three – you get the idea.
5. Next, toss some treats into the front seat well and have the pup get them, either by jumping in or sticking his head all the way in (depends on the size of the pup). Jackpot treat for obvious signs of not being fearful of the car. If your puppy responds well to a favorite toy, toss that in as well and click/treat for following it.
6. Now, sit in the driver’s seat, door still open, and coax the pup into the car – click and treat.
7. Close one door – click and treat when the dog is relaxed.
8. Close the other door and open all the windows. Again, click and treat for behavior you like.
9. Roll up the windows – click/treat, click/treat! Don’t be stingy with the treats when the pup is overcoming his fear.
10. Turn the engine on – click and treat. Turn the engine off. Repeat.
11. Leave the driveway – toss the pup a handful of treats. Pull back into the driveway.
12. Take a trip around the block. If the pup likes the window open a bit, that’s fine. Click/treat for desired behavior.
13. Many people like to transport their dogs inside a crate when traveling in the car, myself included. If you’re using a crate, repeat the above steps using the crate instead of the front or back seat.

Remember that most fears aren’t conquered overnight. Take each of the above steps slowly and repeat them dozens of times, making the pup more comfortable with each click/treat. Try not to have the pup associate the car with only unpleasant things, like going to the kennel, veterinarian, or groomers (if he doesn’t like these places). Take him fun places in the car, like hiking or to your local pet shop. Working on getting your puppy used to the car is far preferable to cleaning up after him when he gets sick.