Does your dog drool, vomit, shake, whimper, whine, or bark excessively during car rides? If so, they may be suffering from travel sickness or anxiety. In more severe cases, dogs can even lose control of their bladder or bowels during a journey. What should be an enjoyable outing can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal—for both of you.
With holiday season approaching, now’s the perfect time to address this issue. With a little preparation and patience, you can help your dog feel more relaxed—and even excited—about car travel. Here’s how to get started:
Create a Positive Association with the Car
Start by making the car a fun, rewarding place. If your dog associates the car with positive experiences, they’ll be more willing to hop in. Try feeding your dog in the car while it’s parked. Do this consistently—not just once—and wait until your dog is comfortable entering the car on their own.
If food isn’t a strong motivator, play with your dog in the stationary car using a favorite toy. The key here is patience and small steps. Don’t rush—build your dog’s confidence gradually.
Begin with Short, Rewarding Trips
Once your dog is comfortable in a parked car, it’s time for short drives. Keep the first few journeys brief—just a couple of minutes if needed—and always end on a positive note. Reward your dog after each trip with treats, play, or a walk.
As your dog begins to associate car travel with fun outcomes, you can extend the length of your drives. Visit a favorite park, a scenic trail, or a dog-loving friend. Over time, your dog will begin to look forward to these car rides.
Choose a Comfortable Spot
Where your dog sits can make a big difference. Some dogs feel calmer in the passenger footwell where they’re close to you. You can safely secure them there using a lead attached to the bar beneath the seat.
Others may do better in the boot of the car, especially if they’re in a crate. For dogs who get queasy from looking out the window, covering the crate with a light blanket can help reduce motion sickness.
Regardless of where they sit, ensure your dog is safely restrained using a harness, carrier, or crate.
Natural Remedies to Try
In addition to training and routine, natural remedies may support your dog’s comfort while traveling. Here are a few options:
Poor Traveller (Homeopathy)
This remedy comes in tablet form and is typically given three times daily over two weeks. Many dog owners report improvement within this period—sometimes even sooner. You can also administer it 20 minutes before a car journey and again during the trip as needed.
One dog owner shared that her dog used to drool so much she needed a basin in the car. After just a couple of days on Poor Traveller, her dog rode calmly, even sleeping on the return trip!
Travel (Liquid Tincture)
Designed to reduce nausea and motion sickness, this fast-acting tincture can be added to your dog’s food, treats, or water. Ingredients include German Chamomile, Marshmallow, Fenugreek, Valerian, Hops, Balm, and Ginger.
Calm Xtra (Liquid Calmer)
This calming herbal remedy works within 20 minutes and is ideal before stressful events like car rides. It also helps with separation anxiety and noise phobias. Contains Valerian, Oat, Skullcap, Passionflower, Wild Lettuce, and Jamaican Dogwood.
With a combination of training, preparation, and supportive remedies, your dog can learn to enjoy car travel. If you have any questions or would like more personalized advice, feel free to give us a call at 01883 771600 or explore our full range of calming and travel products [here].
