Exercise And Sunshine, Why It’s Good To Work With Your Dogs Outdoors!
- Dog Training and Behaviour
For some puppies, getting into the car is exciting.
For others, it is absolutely terrifying.
There are strange smells, unfamiliar sounds, movement, vibration, people walking past the windows and, worst of all, the ground suddenly starts moving!
If your puppy drools, shakes, cries, vomits, pants, tries to climb into your lap or simply looks worried when you reach for the car keys, don’t panic.
Your puppy isn’t being difficult.
They are telling you that the experience is currently a little too much for them.
The good news is that car travel is something we can teach.
One of the best things you can do is introduce your puppy to the car before you actually need to take them somewhere.
If the first few car journeys are:
Car → vet → injection → home
your puppy may quickly decide that the car predicts something unpleasant.
Instead, we want to teach:
Car = safe place + good things + sometimes exciting adventures!
And that starts with taking things slowly.
Before you even turn the engine on, let your puppy explore the car while it is safely parked.
Open the doors and allow your puppy to investigate at their own pace.
You can:
Don’t force your puppy into the car.
If they are worried, make the exercise easier.
We are not trying to get them to “just get over it”.
We are teaching them:
“I can be near this strange thing and nothing bad happens.”
Depending on your vehicle and your puppy, this might be a properly secured crate, travel carrier or an appropriate canine seat-belt/harness system.
The important thing is that your puppy is restrained safely and cannot climb around the vehicle or into the driver’s area.
Consider using familiar bedding or a blanket that smells like home.
For some puppies, having something familiar can make the car feel much less strange.
And remember:
Never allow your puppy to travel loose in the car, sit on your lap while you drive, or put their head out of the window.
Once your puppy is comfortable getting into the car, you can start closing the door.
Stay with them.
Give them something enjoyable to do, such as a food toy, chew or a few treats.
Then open the door again.
That’s it.
You don’t even need to start the engine.
We’re teaching:
Door closes → I’m safe → good things happen → door opens.
If your puppy becomes distressed, you’ve progressed too quickly.
Go back a step.
Once your puppy is comfortable sitting in the stationary car, start the engine.
Don’t drive anywhere.
Let the puppy experience:
Engine starts → treats → engine stops.
Keep the sessions short.
You may only need 30 seconds initially.
Gradually increase the amount of time the engine is running while your puppy remains relaxed.
Now comes the exciting part!
Take your puppy for a very short drive.
It might literally be:
🚗 Down the driveway
🚗 Around the block
🚗 Home again
We aren’t trying to get anywhere.
We are building a positive history of successful journeys.
As your puppy becomes comfortable, gradually increase the duration.
And remember:
Take your puppy somewhere fun.
A sniffy walk.
A quiet park.
A friend’s house.
A puppy class.
A safe adventure.
Sometimes the destination can simply be:
“We went for a little drive and then came home.”
There is no magic number of days or car rides that tells you when your puppy is ready to progress.
Instead, look at your puppy’s behaviour.
A puppy who is:
✔️ Taking treats
✔️ Able to settle
✔️ Sniffing normally
✔️ Relaxed in their body
✔️ Curious about their surroundings
✔️ Able to engage with you
is giving you very different information from a puppy who is:
❌ Trembling
❌ Drooling excessively
❌ Panting heavily
❌ Vocalising continuously
❌ Trying to escape
❌ Refusing food
❌ Vomiting
❌ Becoming increasingly distressed
Your puppy’s behaviour is your feedback.
If they are struggling, make the next repetition easier.
Puppies can experience motion sickness, and this can make car travel particularly unpleasant.
If your puppy vomits in the car, don’t simply assume that they are “being dramatic” or that they will eventually get over it.
Repeated nausea can create a negative association with the car.
Speak to your veterinarian if your puppy experiences significant or repeated vomiting, excessive drooling or nausea during travel. Your vet can also help determine whether there may be an underlying medical issue and whether medication is appropriate.
And if your puppy is prone to car sickness, avoid giving a large meal immediately before travelling unless your veterinarian has advised otherwise.
One of the most important principles when teaching a puppy to enjoy car travel is gradual exposure.
Don’t go from:
“My puppy has never been in the car”
to
“We’re driving three hours to Granny’s!”
and hope for the best.
Instead:
Look at the journey as a series of tiny steps.
Car nearby
↓
Approach the car
↓
Get into the car
↓
Relax in the stationary car
↓
Doors close
↓
Engine starts
↓
Engine stops
↓
Move a few metres
↓
Drive around the block
↓
Short local trip
↓
Longer journey
Your puppy doesn’t need to conquer the whole staircase today.
They just need to be successful on the next step.
We want something much better.
We want your puppy to see you reaching for the car keys and think:
Car rides can become an opportunity for enrichment, exploration and shared experiences.
Your puppy learns that travelling with you is safe.
You learn to recognise their comfort level and communicate with them.
And together, you build a history of positive adventures.
Because ultimately, we’re not just teaching puppies to ride in a car.
We’re teaching them that the world is a safe and interesting place to explore with their person.
Then you’re going to love what we can do for you and your fur baby…