Does your furry friend love car rides or try to hide when it’s time to go out? It is a well-known fact that dogs love going out and enjoy car rides. You must have seen most of the dogs wagging their tails, wide eyes, and excited jumps when they hear about car rides. But not for all, some dogs really hate car rides, or some just don’t like them. Certain breeds are more prone to fear the rides than others.
Some dogs get anxious and scared before even hopping into the car for a quick trip. Some just prefer walking, while their humans don’t. Some dogs experience motion sickness during car rides. To help, you can provide some toys – they might get occupied and distracted while playing.
However, if the problem persists, you have no other option but to contact your veterinarian for a check-up. Your dog might be dealing with car anxiety. There could also be previous negative experiences causing their fear, so it’s important to train them using positive association exercises.
Let’s explore which dog breed struggles the most and how you can help them overcome it.
Dog Breeds That Hate Car Rides
While many dogs can’t wait to stick their heads out the window, others would rather stay home. Let’s look at one of the cutest breeds that usually hate riding.
1. Dachshund
Dachshund Dogs are also known as “wiener dogs” or “sausage dogs” due to their physical appearance, which includes a long back, short legs, and a low posture. Dachshunds are bold, brave, loyal, smart, charming, and full of life. This distinct physical appearance in Dachshund is caused by a genetic disorder called ‘Chondrodysplasia’ or dwarfism.
Dachshunds were originally bred to be hunting dogs and sniff out rabbits and other small ground-dwelling animals. They can have a smooth short-haired coat, a wire-haired coat, or a long-haired coat. These dogs are very chatty and outspoken.
Most of them are adorable, but not all of them enjoy car rides. Because of their bodies and sensitive ears, they can be more prone to motion sickness during longer trips. Bumps can make them feel dizzy, which might lead to travel anxiety.
To help your Dachshund try short road trips, calm drives, a well-ventilated car, and bring their favorite toy to comfort them. A funny fact is that they’re known for their dramatic behavior. Being an affectionate owner to your little sausages might help them overcome their fear.
2. Border Collie
Border Collie, being a very sensitive and alert breed, finds it very difficult to sit in a car. The noise inside the car, coming from the engine and the shaking of the seat and floor, makes them very anxious and difficult to travel.
As mentioned by AKC, due to their observing and extremely alert nature, they find it very difficult to being able to fit in small spaces like a car as they feel trapped. If they have experienced any motion sickness in a car in any past event, they remember it so well that they start to create trouble.
To make sure that your dog doesn’t get stressed, you should arrange a very good setup for them in a car. Put a seatbelt on your dog so they stay stable.
When they don’t move too much, they won’t feel nausea. Keeping the car cool, driving smoothly, and giving your dog a comfortable spot will also help them stay relaxed.
3. Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of dog. There are a couple of reasons that make a basset hound scared during car rides. According to Hill’s Pet, as they are short-heighted dogs, they sit lower. They cannot see outside, which makes them uncomfortable or may confuse them.
Other than that, motion sickness is something that is found in this breed, so this can also be the reason for hating car rides. The poor pup’s dread car travel regardless of the destination.
There are some tips for lessening your dog’s motion sickness. Firstly, allow your dog to spend time inside your car with the engine turned off.
Spend these driveway moments with a peaceful, calm mindset and provide lots of positive reinforcement. To help your dog feel relaxed, prefer short drives so they slowly get used to sitting in the car and no longer feel scared.
4. Bulldog
Bulldogs are some of the most popular dogs. They are great dogs to make fantastic family pets. Many dogs are scared of sitting in the car because they might be unsettled by the unfamiliar sensations. Cars have distinct odors, engine sounds, floor vibration, and rapidly passing scenery.
Motion sickness in dogs often leads to nausea, drooling, or vomiting. As per PetMD, Bulldogs begin to link car trips with discomfort. If the proper support is not given to them, it becomes a negative memory for them.
They are a sensitive breed, and a small change can make them uneasy. The sounds of the engine can increase their anxiety. To make your bulldog feel better during car rides, slightly open the windows to let them in natural airflow.
This reduces anxiety and may help with motion sickness. Rather than that, if you give your dog a treat after every short trip, their fear will slowly go away, and they will become happy.
5. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu often get scared of car trips because they are sensitive and small dogs who can easily get anxious or feel motion sickness.
Purina notes that they do understand what’s happening when the car starts moving. This confusion can turn into fear and anxiety quickly. They may drool or shake as a sign of anxiety.
Ensuring the dog’s comfort and safety, using a canine booster seat will keep the Shih Tzu near the window for a better line of sight and to be near air flow, which can help with motion sickness. It will also keep them safe. Patience is important with such a delightful breed. Over time, their fear began to fade.
6. Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are tiny-sized dogs who become scared of sitting in the car as the vehicle feels much bigger, louder than it actually is. Sudden movement can feel overwhelming.
Their elevated sense of makes ordinary cat noises, like air conditioning vents or traffic outside, seem extremely loud. The pet owners should comfort their pets and show them love so their dogs’ fear goes away.
To make car rides more fun, start with short trips and keep the mood light. Play gentle music, bring their favorite blanket or toy, and let them get used to the feeling of being on the open road. With time and positive experiences, even your little Chihuahua might start to enjoy car rides.
7. Greyhounds
Greyhounds commonly face gastric issues and anxiety-related behavior, causing discomfort. Whining, vomiting, and restlessness in a senior greyhound may indicate distress, pain, or anxiety.
If the dog is uncertain or fearful, the whining will usually dissipate once the dog has recovered to a calm, neutral emotional state.
Without a proper reference point, they don’t know what to expect when they encounter a car. To support the greyhound who is wary of cars, consider the intensity, as a running car may be more intimidating than a stationary one.
CONCLUSION
I think, not just dog but every animal deserve to feel safe and comfortable, especially during something as simple as a car journey. We should help our pups overcome travel anxiety with steady training and a little understanding, so that they can be calm around us. Doing so, you are not just solving a problem, but you are strengthening your bond with your pet.
Studies show that dogs who ride calmly in cars have the lowest stress levels, which means a positive travel experience can actually make your little furry friend happier.
