KORU BEAR goes on many car rides, and he loves it. For the past eight weeks, riding in the car has been a pleasant experience, and he continues to learn to be a good dog passenger by being safe at all times.
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5 Tips: Introduce Your Dog to Riding in the Car and Be Safe
The first time we took KORU BEAR for a car ride, he was scared. He was unsure about how to jump up to the back seat area. As soon as the car moved, he cried and kept on moving around. We had to re-introduce KORU BEAR to a safer way to ride in the car.
If a crash should occur, an unrestrained dog can be quickly thrown from the car. An unrestrained 60-pound dog traveling at 35 miles per hour can turn into a 2,700 pound projectile in an accident.
Here are five things we did to help KORU BEAR have an enjoyable and safe car rides.
1. Sitting in the Car
To make KORU BEAR feel at ease in the car, we let him sit in the back seat while the car was parked in our garage. We joined him too; getting him acclimated on where we seat (front passengers).
2. Petting and Treats
We did lots of petting while he sat in the car. We also let him sniffed different parts of the car especially the seatbelt. KORU BEAR has a sensitivity to noise. So getting him familiarized with car sounds from the windows, doors, and radio was relevant. We rewarded his good behaviors with lots of tasty treats.
3. Short Car Rides
Once KORU BEAR got comfortable, we took him for short car trips (about half a mile) to the park. Associating car rides with a fun place or destination is important. Every day we took KORU BEAR for multiple car rides and increased the distance plus visited various neighborhood parks.
4. Time to Buckle-Up for Safety
Once KORU BEAR was familiar with the inside of the car and short trips, we introduced Sleepypod Clickit Sport dog safety harness. Sleepypod’s safety harness has received a five-star rating from Center for Pet Safety (CPS).
KORU BEAR is comfortable wearing Sleepypod’s Clickit Sport dog harness (in the car and as a walking harness.). However, being strapped-in for a long time made him uneasy. KORU BEAR is a young pup, and it’s understandable why he likes to move around. Taking multiple car ride breaks and going for a short walk plus the fresh air resolved this issue.
5. Patience and Consistency
We are patient for KORU BEAR to get acclimated on his car rides. It is beneficial having consistent travel safety routines with him.
We’ve been traveling a lot for the past weeks, and KORU BEAR is having a very good time. I’ll be sharing more about his car ride adventures.
How do you keep your dog car rides safe?
He looks so happy! I’m glad that he enjoys it.
I agree that the most important thing about adjusting our beloved four legged friends to the car is safety – yours and theirs. Keeping them securely strapped or in a cage during the ride will make sure that they’ll be ok in any situation.
We adore car rides
Lily & Edward
Great tips! Love that last pic, Koru Bear looks so happy to be going for a ride. Bruin didn’t enjoy car rides when he was 1 and 2 yrs old but staying consistent with short car rides really helped him along with some special treats! 🙂
Great tips on learning to ride safely. Sophie and Elwood love riding. Sophie would like to nap in the car even while it’s parked in the garage!! Once in a while as a special treat Daddy let’s her in the car while he works in the garage!! Elwood is having trouble climbing in the car these days so Dad built him a special step to help. It’s good for all of us to get out and enjoy the scenery!! We’re so happy that beautiful Mr. Koru Bear is learning how nice it can be. 🙂
All my girls have enjoyed their car rides since puppyhood. But it got difficult for Callie after she tore her first CCL. And now it’s difficult for poor Shadow with arthritis in several of her joints. But we manage. That’s what ramps are for.
Thank you. Will try this with Max.
Oh KB love following your travel adventures and photos on Facebook. You are still a puppy and its hard if you can’t move around. Your mom is doing great. Woofs from Susie
Wonderful tips to get your dog comfortable in the car!
hugs
Hazel & Mabel
Aww~ KORU BEAR is as adorable as always. Thank you for sharing the helpful tips! My dream is traveling around the country with my dog(s), these tips are very helpful for me!
Great tips! I especially liked the number 1! It’s a great idea to introduce your pets to a car while the car is in the garage! I wonder if this will work the same way for my cat too! She freaks out from car rides but maybe if I take her in a garage and have her play in the back seat a couple of times, maybe my cat will learn not to be afraid of car rides 🙂
These are great tips, it’s important to take it slow so your dog doesn’t feel pushed. It is also really important that car rides also mean LOTS of fun trips, not just trips to the Vet or Groomer. Beautiful photos!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
glad he enjoys car rides as much as me… I loved the car from the first minute I was inside….and I still love it… eggs-cept it brings me to the vet …ewww