We were at a new Home Dog Training client in Buford the other day helping her with her Dalmation named Smokey. Smokey’s problem was that he would not listen to our client, jump on her, and steal things from the closet. We were able to resolve these issues pretty quickly as soon as we established out client as Smokey’s leader and best friend. She was very happy with the lesson as we were finishing up, asked about traveling in the car. It seems that their family, including Smokey, is going to Florida to visit her brother and his family over the Holidays. Smokey is a little crazy in the car and traveling, in general. She wondered what she could do to make the twelve hour trip go well. We has some great suggestions that we shared with her and would like to share with all of you.
The Holiday Season is almost upon us and many of us will be traveling to family gatherings with our dogs. What can we do to make this a good experience for everyone in the car? Robin and I would like to share some great ideas we have successfully employed for years:
First, let’s talk about your dog’s “happy time” in the car. If your dog doesn’t like to be in the car, “hill and dale” can be a very, very long time. Here are some training tips:
- Start walking your dog to the car in the driveway. Have him sit next to the car for a few minutes. Have some toys and other distractions there. Walk him back in the house. Do this little, short walk several times a day for several days in a row.
- Next, open the car door. Have your dog walk to the car and jump in the back seat. It might be necessary to have some toys or other goodies in the back seat to entice him. As soon as your dog jumps in, praise him. Hang out for a few minutes than have him jump out of the car and go back inside. Repeat this several times a day for several days.
- Now, have your dog get in the car, start the engine, and back to the end of the driveway. Stop for a moment, and then pull back into the middle of the driveway. Praise him and bring him inside. Do this several times a day for a few days
- Next, get your dog in the car and drive around the block. Do this several times a day for a few days.
- Finally, go on a little trip of ten to twenty minutes. Do this a few times.
Your dog is now ready for “hill and dale”.
Let’s talk about safety,,,
Remember that I told you to put your dog in the back seat. This will eliminate the passenger side air bag deploying in your dog’s face if you (I hope it never happens) get into a car crash. You should keep Fluffy in a crate that is stable or a restraining device that would keep him safe in the event of a sudden stop or swerve. A crate or restraining device is dog’s “seat belt” that will help him survive a crash.
I have heard of so many terrible accidents that have taken place because of unrestrained dogs. If you restrain your dog on a car trip, everything will be great.
Please call us at (770) 718-7704 it you are in need of any dog training help. We have a lot of good dog training advice at Best Dog Trainers Buford Georgia. Find all our phone numbers, text addresses and email contacts at Dog Training Help Center Buford Georgia.
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