dog travelling in car

I want to help my dog with travelling

HOW TO MAKE CAR RIDES AND VISITS TO THE VET BETTER

1

Before the ride

  • Train your dog to stay calm in the car:
    • First in a stationary car
    • Then with the engine running
    • Finally while driving short trips
  • Reward your dog when they are calm with treats and quiet praise
2

Help your dog feel comfortable with ADAPTIL Transport Spray

  • Releases “comforting messages” in the car to create a safe and secure environment
  • Apply 8 sprays in the car or on your dog's blanket or carrier 15 minutes before departure
  • Improvement happens almost immediately
  • Never spray directly on your dog
3

In the car

  • Consider using a carrier or a car harness (be sure to positively train them to use it first)
  • It is safer and more reassuring for your dog to be secured and confined
4

During the ride

  • Stop every 2 hours for exercise and bathroom breaks
  • To help prevent car sickness try to avoid feeding your dog for 6-8 hours before departure, but do not limit water
  • Keep the car well ventilated and never leave your dog unattended in the car

We recommend:

ADAPTIL Transport Spray

Spray 8 pumps in the car or the carrier 15 minutes before departure, respray after 4 to 5 hours if needed

Tips to make travel and visits to the vet less stressful

Many dogs love to travel, but for some dogs it can be quite stressful.

It is very easy to recognize if your dog is uncomfortable in the car. Any of these signs would be a good clue:

  • Agitation
  • Panting
  • Excessive salivation
  • Trembling
  • Barking
  • Whining
  • Vomiting
  • Urinating / soiling
  • Attempting to escape

Obviously if your dog is showing any of these signs, car rides are a kind of nightmare for both of you! Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help your dog cope with car travel, including helping your dog associate the car with positive things (like treats!).

The first thing is to teach your dog to sit calmly in the car.

Keep sessions short, allow your dog to become comfortable with the car before proceeding to the next step, which is: turning the engine on! But still not driving, sitting in the car parked, and again using treats and praise.

Once your dog is happy and calm in the car, start taking them on short trips. After each successful trip, you can progressively increase trip duration. This gradual training will help your dog feel better in the car.

During this process, and for each journey, spray 8 pumps of ADAPTIL Transport in the car or on your dog's car blanket or carrier 15 minutes before departure.

Using ADAPTIL Transport Spray is clinically proven to help reduce panting, agitation and restlessness during travel.

Make sure you spray the car, the bedding or the carrier, but never directly on your dog. Always wait 15 minutes before introducing your dog to the sprayed area.

To provide reassurance to your dog and also improve safety, you may consider using a travel cage or carrier. Alternatively, use a leash or a harness to attach to the car seat belt to restrain your dog while driving. This will allow your dog to sit or lie down and also prevent them from moving around in the vehicle.