Page 316 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

316 C ARE AND TR AINING

Car travel
For a young dog, car travel is a very strange experience at
first, and he needs time to get used to it. Puppies are usually
wary of car rides because the first two trips they go on are
when they are taken away from their mother and their first
visit to the vet. Neither are very pleasant occasions and can
leave many dogs with negative feelings about cars. Spending
time rebalancing the way your puppy views the car will
prevent traveling problems in the future.
Encourage your dog to investigate the car when the
engine is turned off. Get him used to the sound of car doors
opening and closing and to the feeling of being in a car.
Spend time simply sitting in the car with your dog, or leave
him there to sleep so that he begins to see it as a great place
to be. Put him in the place where he will be traveling in the
future. For example, if you plan to travel with your dog in a
car crate, that is where he should be placed from the start.
When you take your dog on a car journey, make sure he
relieves himself before you set off. To begin with, go on lots
of short trips that end with something enjoyable, like a walk
in the woods. By associating car journeys with positive
endings, your puppy will soon forget the earlier trips that
caused such distress. Over time, gradually increase the STRAPPED IN
length of the journeys as your dog becomes happier and Restraining your dog while he is in the car is essential. It stops him
from interfering with the driver or other passengers and prevents
more relaxed in the car. him from being thrown around in the car during the journey.

TRAINING | SUCCESSFUL JOURNEYS

Before your dog does any traveling, he Until your dog
should le
ar
arn that c
1 s are fun. Take time 2 is big enough
to play with him in and around the car and to jump into the car
even feed him his dinner in the car. without hurting
himself, lift him in
and be ready to
prevent him from
trying to jump out
again. Settle him in
the car by staying
with him, praising
him, and giving him
lots of treats.

A traveling crate
3 is a good way
of keeping your
dog contained and
feeling secure. Dogs
that are already
used to sleeping in
a cage or crate will
find this particularly
reassuring.

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