Even if you have been driving your pets around to the vet or park for years, it can be an extreme challenge to get them to behave in the car or keep them from having an anxiety attack in the back seat. I own a cat and a dog who have been unimaginably difficult to calm in the car for years, no matter where we were headed. I used to get so jealous of those animals I would see on Dish2u or other animal programs on TV that would sit patiently in the car while they were toted all around town by their owners. I thought the training required to have such obedient and calm pets would be too much for my animals, but I picked up a few tricks that can make all the difference for training your pets.
The main issue I had with my cat when I would take her on occasional visits to the vet was car sickness. She would psych herself out about the 15 minute trip so much that she would sometimes even get sick in her carrier. If you have a similar issue with your feline, try this sneaky trick. Don’t give your cat food in the morning that day so she is hungry by the time you need to leave and then open a can of tuna right before she has to go in her carrier so she can smell the delicious treat. Then make the journey as normal, but when you get home make sure the can of tuna is sitting right outside of her carrier as she steps out so she gets a treat for going with you. After a couple journeys she will start to associate this rare fish treat with getting into the car and will be more focused on getting back to her tuna than on freaking out in the car.
Dogs can be a real adventure on a car ride, especially if they are not buckled in a doggy harness. I choose not to use a harness in the car so Pickle gets to roam free in the back seat and cause mischief. He usually gets anxious in the car and starts whining louder and louder as we go so I needed to find a way to keep him calm and out of my hair. The best thing to do is bring a distraction kit. I designate a blanket as Pickle’s travel buddy so he can cuddle up on the seat and I bring along a rawhide bone that will take him a long time to chew through. Don’t bring the bone into the vet or other destination so when you get back in the car to go home your pup has something to look forward to. It also help to have one other small treat in hand to give your dog after you can get him to obey the command to sit in the car so he knows exactly what you want him to do.
