Let’s Talk About Car Rides: Understanding Why Some Dogs Struggle and How We Can Help

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For some dogs, car rides mean adventure.

For others, they mean stress, nausea, uncertainty, or frustration.

As both a veterinary professional and behavior consultant, I’ve found that many owners assume their dog either “loves the car” or “hates the car.” The reality is often much more complicated. I know many dogs who “do fine in the car”, when in fact the dogs body language shows that they are emotionally shut down out of fear and it can look very subtle to the untrained eye.

If your dog struggles with travel, there is usually a reason. The good news? Many travel-related challenges can improve with the right combination of training, management, safety considerations, confidence building, and veterinary support when needed.

Excited About the Destination, Worried About the Journey

Think about your own experiences with travel.

Have you ever:

• Been excited about a vacation but dreaded the flight?

• Looked forward to a road trip but worried about getting carsick?

• Wanted to spend the day at a theme park but knew the rides would leave you nauseous afterward?

• Felt anxious about turbulence, traffic, crowds, or unfamiliar places?

Many of us have experienced emotional conflict around travel.

We’re excited about the destination, but worried about the journey.

Dogs can experience something very similar.

A dog may eagerly jump into the car because they know it sometimes leads to hiking trails, pup cups, daycare, play dates, or adventures with their family.

That doesn’t automatically mean they enjoy the ride itself.

Motion Sickness, Anxiety, or Both?

Many owners assume their dog is simply anxious.

Others assume their dog is motion sick.

In reality, it may be both.

A dog who repeatedly feels nauseous during travel may begin anticipating that discomfort.

Over time, the vehicle itself can become a predictor of feeling bad.

Then anxiety develops.

Unfortunately, anxiety can also worsen nausea, creating a cycle that feeds itself.

Common signs include:

🚗Drooling

🚗Lip licking

🚗Panting

🚗Trembling

🚗Whining

🚗Restlessness

🚗Refusing food

🚗Reluctance to enter the vehicle

🚗Vomiting

🚗Attempts to escape

🚗Clingy behavior; wanting to be on top of us

🚗Attempts to hide under the seats

🚗Displaying subtle (often unnoticed) signs of Fear, Anxiety and Stress

Not every dog vomits. Some suffer quietly while displaying only subtle signs of stress.

Your Dog Experiences the Car Differently Than You Do

When we travel, we are seated comfortably, supported by a seat, secured by a seatbelt, and able to anticipate turns, stops, and acceleration.

Vehicles are designed around human comfort and safety.

Not canine comfort and safety.

Many dogs are expected to stand, pace, balance, and constantly adjust their bodies as the vehicle moves.

For some dogs, this can be physically exhausting and emotionally stressful.

Some dogs actually feel safer and more comfortable in:

✔️ A properly secured kennel

✔️ A crash-tested harness

✔️ A secure dog car seat

✔️ A smaller space where they can comfortably lie down and relax

My own dog Willow is much more relaxed and comfortable in the car when she is tethered and has a small secure space that allows her just enough room to to turn around, lie down, and settle rather than trying to balance throughout the ride.

Sometimes feeling physically secure helps a dog feel emotionally secure too.

What Do YOU Need to Travel Comfortably?

Think about how you support yourself during travel.

Do you:

• Bring a pillow or blanket?

• Take motion sickness medication?

• Take anxiety medication?

• Wear headphones?

• Bring snacks and drinks?

• Pack entertainment for the trip?

What about your children?

Many parents bring comfort items, activities, snacks, and routines to help kids travel successfully.

Dogs may need their own versions of these accommodations.

Some dogs benefit from:

🐾 A favorite blanket

🐾 A special chew

🐾 Medication

🐾 A predictable routine

🐾 Frequent breaks

🐾 Confidence-building exercises

🐾 A safer travel setup

Finding the right combination often takes patience and trial and error.

Getting In and Out of the Car Is a Skill

Another common challenge is loading and unloading.

Many dogs struggle not because they’re stubborn, but because they lack confidence or even the physical ability to coordinate their body to jump into the vehicle, even if they have no problem jumping onto the back of the couch at home.

Some are worried about slipping.

Some are uncomfortable with the height.

Some are worried about being handled.

Some simply haven’t had enough positive practice.

If every car ride begins with us picking up the dog who is stressed or fighting us, and placing them in the vehicle, we may unintentionally skip the learning process and even make the negative associaton worse over time.

When time allows, practice loading separately from actual trips. Practice patiently in the driveway with all of the doors open so the car doesn’t seem like a scary dark cave.

Start small.

Front paws on.

Front paws off.

Reward confidence.

Build success gradually.

And if your dog does need help being lifted, practice handling and lifting exercises when you’re not in a hurry so they can learn to feel comfortable and supported. Go slow.

Calm Exits Matter Too

One of the most overlooked pieces of travel training is what happens when we arrive.

The car stops.

The dog gets excited.

They whine, bark, scratch, spin, or lunge.

Then the door opens and they’re immediately released.

Over time, we may accidentally reinforce the entire sequence.

Just as we teach calm loading, we should teach calm exits.

The goal isn’t perfection.

The goal is emotional regulation.

A dog who can remain thoughtful and composed before being released is practicing a skill that carries over into many other areas of life.

Vehicle Safety Matters

I know many people enjoy seeing dogs with their heads out the window.

But it’s important to remember that dogs don’t understand speed, traffic, momentum, or consequences the way humans do.

*Dog’s do not need a wide-open window to smell, dogs can smell scents from miles away, their nose is their strongest sense!

I’ve personally seen dogs attempt to jump from moving vehicles. And I have seen dogs at the vet ER who have actually jumped out of the vehicle to chase another dog, go say hi to people on the sidewalk, or simply when we had to make a sudden swerve or even just taking a turn on the road. Some of those dogs survived, some needed extensive surgery, and some did not survive.

I’ve seen dogs squeeze through openings inches wide that owners thought were too small.

I’ve seen a dog jump from a vehicle window and only avoid serious injury because they were secured with a harness tether, hanging out the window.

The owner was terrified.

The dog was terrified.

It only took a second.

One of the most common things I hear is:

“My dog would never jump out.”

But that’s often exactly why the opportunity remains available.

Dogs don’t evaluate risk the way we do.

Sometimes they simply react.

A squirrel.

Another dog.

A person they want to greet.

A strange noise.

That’s all it takes.

The goal isn’t to eliminate fun.

The goal is to help our dogs arrive safely so they can continue enjoying adventures for years to come.

Struggling With Car Rides? I Can Help!

For many dog owners, car rides are supposed to be a simple part of life—whether it’s a trip to the vet, a visit to the park, or a weekend adventure. But for some dogs, getting into the car or traveling in it can be a source of significant stress, anxiety, or even fear.

If your dog:

🚗 Refuses to get into the vehicle

🚗 Needs to be lifted in or out

🚗 Trembles, pants, drools, or vocalizes during travel

🚗 Gets motion sickness

🚗 Paces, barks, scratches, or seems unable to settle

🚗 Becomes overstimulated when arriving at destinations

🚗 Explodes out of the vehicle the moment the door opens

🚗 Struggles with loading, unloading, or handling

🚗 Seems anxious before the car even starts moving

🚗 Has difficulty traveling safely and comfortably

You are not alone—and more importantly, these challenges are not something you simply have to live with.

I work with families every day who are navigating these exact challenges. Together, we identify what’s contributing to your dog’s stress and create a realistic, individualized plan to help them feel safer, more comfortable, and more confident.

Because your dog doesn’t have to dread the journey to enjoy the destination.

Leanne James, LVT, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Certified Professional

Evolution Dog Training Las Vegas

Helping dogs and their people build calm, confident lives together.

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