Dog Looking Out Car Window

Riding in the car can be a stressful experience for dogs. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ve had bad experiences in cars before—sometimes it’s just a matter of never having ridden in the car at all and not knowing how to behave or what to expect. Chances are that sooner or later, every pet parent will have to take their dog somewhere in the car, so it’s important to make sure that your dog doesn’t see the car as something scary. If the only time a dog rides in the car is when he goes to the vet’s office, the groomer, or another place he considers stressful and frightening, the car will quickly take on those associations. Fortunately, the solution is simple: bring your dog somewhere fun!

Daycare is the perfect way to get your dog not only used to riding in the car, but excited about it as well. Before long, your dog will start to realize that a car ride takes them somewhere they can play with their BFFFs (Best Furry Friends Forever), meet new people, and have fun! This is especially helpful during hot summer weather, when your dog may not have his normal walking routine.

Using positive associations, like daycare, to help your dog learn how to ride in the car can have massive benefits. Those dreaded vet trips will be much less stressful now that your dog is no longer afraid of the journey itself. And of course, your dog learning how to behave at daycare means that he will be better behaved elsewhere. Instead of just learning how to stay calm when stressed, your dog will learn how to behave when he’s excited as well. Daycare at Dogtopia helps to teach your dog that the car leads to fun places!

Safety tips to remember:

  1. Never leave your dog alone in a hot car! Car interiors can be 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature, so even if it’s in the 80s outside it is too hot for your dog inside.
  2. Letting your dog hang his head out the window is very dangerous! Debris from the road can fly up at any time and hit your dog. It can also cause respiratory issues, especially in breeds such as pugs or bulldogs who have shorter noses.