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Summer Road Trip with Your Dog: Training Tips for a Stress-Free Journey

Thinking about taking your furry friend on a summer road trip? It sounds like fun, but not every dog is a born road warrior. Transform your backseat drivers into the Best Dog Ever with our expert training tips. Discover how to prepare your dog for the ultimate travel experience, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for both of you.


White dog sitting in truck with owner

Summertime in Cleveland, Ohio! From pup friendly patio bars to all of our glorious Metroparks to go hiking, it's a great time to get out and road trip with your dog.


Embark on the ultimate summer road trip with your furry co-pilot—because who needs human passengers anyway? But let's be real, not all dogs are so enthusiastic about car trips. Some are more "Are we there yet?" than "Born to be wild".


Discover my tried-and-true tips for transforming your backseat barkers into Best Dog Ever on Wheels. Spoiler: it involves more than just a squeaky toy and a prayer.


Let's take a look at some of the typical dog behaviors, and how to work through their car antics and get back on the open road.


Table of Topics


Dog Won't Even Get in the Car


You've got the car loaded, full tank of gas, dog treats and comfy bed in the back seat. You open the back door, and tell your dog to get in the car, and well...


Your. Dog. Won't. Get. In. The. Damn. Car.


A few tips to get this party started.

Don't force your dog.

Grabbing, yanking, pushing or otherwise cramming your dog into the car isn't helping them get over whatever (unknown) issue they have; you're only creating future behavioral issues getting them into the car.


Instead, remember you are here to guide your dog, not dominate your dog. Follow these steps.

White dog anxiously sitting outside black car
  1. Open all the car doors. We tend to forget that dogs are built horizontal, rather than vertically, as we are, so getting in can feel claustrophobic for them. By opening up the space visually, they don't feel as if they're being crammed into a tiny box.

  2. Put a leash on your dog. Thread the leash all the way through the backseat from where your dog is standing to the other side. Gently tug on the leash, cheerfully calling them into the car from across the backseat. Note: Make sure you aren't leaning into the car, face-first towards your dog. Your body language is important; make sure your profile is towards your dog, not your chest/face/stomach.

  3. If necessary, leave a trail of treats across the backseat. It's okay to grease a few palms with some well-place snacks as you do this.

If this doesn't work after a few moments, take your dog for a brisk, highly rewarded walk around the car several times, and then try again.


Your Dog Gets Sick During Car Rides

Black and white dog going for a car ride

Okay, this is the worst. Or maybe I'm just a wimp, but as the kid who always got carsick, I feel your dog's pain on this.


If your dog is under a year, there's still hope that they will outgrow this behavior. For other dogs (like my Orion and my Darwin) are prone to it their entire lives.


  • Fresh air. If it's safe, open the windows. Remember that the air-conditioning you feel in the front seat may not make it to the back of the car where your dog is.

  • Window Access. Is your dog's view outside obstructed? Try to give them a good view by adding cushions to the back if they can't see out the window.

  • Avoid Perfumes, Air Fresheners and Deodorizers. Yes, your dog might make your car smell like Fritos that were kept in a moist paper bag for a week, but avoid the urge to deodorize. I am speaking from personal experience here: nothing made my carsickness worse than an air freshener.

  • Pile on Calming Scents. By this I mean normal, natural scents that your dog is accustomed to. That includes things that carry your natural scent, such as a pillow or blanket (not a spritz of your favorite perfume). Layer the calming scents by adding your dog's bed and a few favorite toys.

  • Limit Food. No meals for at least an hour prior to travel, and definitely nothing greasy or heavy.

  • Offer Water Frequently. A drip-style water dispenser, or this Springer water bottle, can make all the difference, as it did for my Orion.

  • Talk to your vet about meds. For some dogs, anti-nausea meds are necessary, such as dimenhydrinate (think Dramamine) or meclizine. Do not self-administer. Speak to your vet to get an accurate dosage for your dog.

Your Dog Barks, Lunges, or Acts Crazy in the Car


Dogs with impulse control issues in the car generally have the same issues at home as well. It's just in the confined area of a car, it's much more intolerable.

Puppy jumping at owners
If your dog is allowed to indulge in crazy, chaotic and out of control on a regular basis, there is no magic trick to getting them calm in a car.

This is not a dog training tips situation so much as a dog behavioral issue, and needs to be addressed in all aspects of life, not just in the car. By enforcing calm behavior in everyday, normal situations, the excitement and energy that car rides bring will be no trouble.


Behavior tolerated is behavior encouraged.


Ask yourself what types of behaviors you are encouraging on a daily basis, which you are then hoping will be solved by a reading a single blog post or an evening of google searches about dogs in cars.


Start by working through the behaviors in more manageable situations, such as at home and on walks, and you'll begin to see positive changes in your dog's behavior everywhere, including the car.


Work towards normalizing positive behavior from your dog, rather than tolerating chaotic negative energy your dog is currently giving, and then expecting a magic pill, gummy or incantation to suddenly give you a great dog in a car.


Further Reading:


Anxious Dogs


I see a lot of puppy mill rescue dogs, and they all have one thing in common: they are good in a car, at least in the sense that they aren't destructive or loud, but they are absolutely shut down. Having never been in a car before, they find the experience to be absolutely frightening, and will pant heavily, cower, whine, and just break my heart.


Brown dog looking anxiously at owner

Again, this doesn't affect you as a driver, but as a pet parent, of course we want our dogs to feel safe and confident in their world.


Some tips to help your dog normalize being in a car if they're anxious:


Man and dog sittingin car
  • Make sure you aren't using heavy perfumes or car deodorizers. As with carsickness mentioned above, unnatural or abnormal scent can be overwhelming.

  • Gradually acclimate your dog to the car. Just as you prefer to get your toes wet before jumping into a cold pool, your dog will do better with a gradual immersion into car rides. This can be as simple as starting the car, and hanging out in the backseat with your dog, offering treats and affection while the car idles in park.


  • Remember that if your dog is naturally anxious to begin with, they won't magically become chill in the car. Help them work through the anxiety on a regular basis so the car isn't such a big deal anymore.


Further Reading:


Setting Your Dog Up For Successful Car Rides


Every dog is different, but when going on a long car ride with your dog, almost every dog will benefit from these quick tips:

White dog looking out car window
  • Exercise before the trip. A calmer dog starts with activity. Get some quick, easy ways to wear out your dog here.

  • Have a designated area for your dog. Make a cozy spot for your dog, rather than letting them pace all over the car. And for those of you letting your dog hang out in your lap as you drive, stop it...you're making my eyeballs itch.

  • Have frequent rest stops. Incorporate some play, a structured walk, and a small snack.

  • Have a plan. Know the locations of your emergency stops along your route, including vet care, dog parks, pet stores for supplies, and even hotels that allow pets. Knowing your options prior to leaving gives you peace of mind.

  • Safety first. Don't forget a doggie first aid kit, copies of vet records and any meds.

  • Make sure your dog isn't bored. Consider some mental enrichment prior, and during, your road trip. Get some ideas here.

Successful Road Trips with Your Dog Starts with Training


Car rides are fun, and having your furry best friend makes it so much better. But if your dog's normal is causing you frustration, no amount of Google searches will make them ride well in a car. It's time to look into working through their negative behaviors, and guiding them with positive dog training methods.


At Darwin Dogs, we understand the confusion most dog owners face when training their dogs, which is why we created a dog training framework that focuses on simple, effective methods. Because your dog deserves to be a Best Dog Ever.


Find out how.



Logo darwin dogs training differently



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