7 Signs that Your Dog Hates Car Rides

You want to travel and explore new places with your loyal four-legged companion but the problem is your dog hates car rides. This can be extremely difficult when you want to take your dog with you don’t want to subject your dog to an unpleasant and scary experience.

The truth is, not all dogs enjoy being inside the car. Yes, some dogs love to hop in the backseat and feel the wind against their faces with their tongues out but your dog may not be one of them.

Why does my dog hate car rides? Find out the reasons, how you can tell if your dog hates car rides, and what you can do about it.

Reasons Why Dogs Hate Car Rides

Why does my dog hate riding in the car? Here are some reasons why your dog hates car rides:

Your dog is suffering from motion sickness.

Your moving car throw your dog’s senses off-balance and cause motion sickness. Puppies and younger dogs are more prone to motion sickness because the part of their ears that helps control and manage their balance hasn’t developed fully.

Note that your dog can feel physically ill without vomiting or exhibiting signs that it needs to vomit.

Your dog associates car rides with negative experiences.

Most of the time, the reason for your dog’s aversion to car rides is it associates them with negative things like a visit to the vet.

So, even if it’s a trip for pleasure, your dog can associate car rides as a prelude to something nasty. 

Your dog is anxious, fearful, and stressed when in a car.

Why does my dog hate car rides? Another reason is your dog feels anxious, fearful, and stressed in new environments such as your car. This is more likely if you don’t take your dog for a drive very often and it didn’t get used to it while it was young. Thus, it is a new experience that can arouse a negative response.

Your dog can’t handle overstimulation.

The sound of the engine, the sensation of being inside a moving vehicle, the sounds of traffic — these are all stimuli that happen spontaneously and can overwhelm your dog’s ability to process them. 

There is no identifiable reason.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we just can’t pinpoint the exact reason for our dogs’ discomfort. You may ask, “why does my dog pant and shake when riding in the car?” but there’s just no discernible cause for why a puppy hates car rides. 

7 Signs That Your Dog Hates Car Rides

#1. Your dog doesn’t want to get in the car.

How can I tell if my dog is scared of cars? If your dog is hiding and needs to be cajoled several times, or has to be carried unwillingly to your vehicle, then your dog doesn’t want to be inside your car.

Your dog scrambling out of your car after being placed inside is also another indication that a road trip together may not be in your future.

#2. Your dog is making unpleasant noises.

If your dog starts whining, yelping, and barking when it’s time for a ride, it means that something’s not right.

Your dog is making these noises to get your attention. When your dog whines, it’s usually because they’re trying to soothe you or they feel excited or anxious.

#3. Your dog is restless.

While your dog is in the back seat, it will circle, pace, and repeatedly adjust its position to try to get comfortable. This is another dog anxiety in car symptom and is often accompanied by whining.

#4. Your dog starts panting heavily.

Another physical sign to look out for is heavy panting. Panting is normal for dogs but if it does so every time you’re about to head out to the car, there’s a good chance that it’s a sign of fear and anxiety. 

Sometimes, panting is also accompanied by excessive lip licking which only further shows your dog’s discomfort.

#5. Your dog’s ears are flat and its paws are up.

Dogs usually have their ears flattened against their head with their tails bent low when they’re nervous. They may also hold their paws up with eyes wide open as additional signs of uncertainty.

#6. Your dog is vomiting.

When your dog pukes during or after being in a moving car, it’s a clear sign that it’s suffering from motion sickness and is probably developing a not-so-good relationship with car rides.

How can I tell if my dog is scared of cars? The vomit in your back seat is a clear indication. Your dog may also repeatedly swallow as if to hold back vomit.

#7. Your dog urinates in the car.

Urination can also be a sign of anxiety, especially if it has just relieved itself. If you notice your that your dog starts peeing more during car trips, the ride is probably giving it serious anxiety.

How Can I Calm My Dogs Anxiety in the Car?

Now that you know why your dog hates car rides and what signs to watch out for, the next question is, “will my dog get over car anxiety?”

Some dogs can successfully overcome their fear of car rides. Others can manage their anxiety so they can tolerate them for short periods. However, some dogs just aren’t meant to be inside a car.

Regardless of your dog’s stress levels, there are things you can do to make the experience less traumatic: 

• Introduce your car to your dog. Walk past it, open the doors, let your dog sniff around and become acquainted with this massive object.
• Strategically place some surprise treats in the backseat of the car so your dog will willingly get inside. You can start associating the car with different treats and make it special every time. This is an excellent opportunity to explore other safe food options for your dog like plums. (Can dogs eat plums? Yes, they can eat the flesh but not the pits.)
• Aside from treats, put your dog’s favorite chew toy in the backseat.
• Try starting your car’s engine with your dog inside. See if your dog needs time to adjust or if you can move forward.
• If your dog seems okay with the engine and its vibrations, go for a quick ride around the block. Observe how your dog reacts to the new sensations and activity.
• If your dog can tolerate a quick ride, visit your pet’s favorite places. The idea is to create positive associations between being in a car and going for a ride.

If your dog shows signs of anxiety, take a step back. Provide reassurance and security for your pet by talking to it, giving it pets and cuddles, and distracting it with toys and treats until it calms down.

Teaching Your Dog To Like Car Rides Takes Patience and Small Steps

Traveling with your dog and visiting places together are great experiences, however, some dogs may be more anxious than most. If your dog hates car rides, you can teach it to enjoy them or at the very least tolerate them. 

Be patient, take small steps, and who knows? Perhaps your dog may grow to like riding in the car with you.