Anxiety Series Part 2 - Cars

Car etiquette for the anxious dog!

Learning a new set of boundaries and behaviour during car ride to make the experience more comfortable for everyone in the car!

Our first step is always to correct mental arousal when we have issues like reactivity, barking at the window/growling/excitement/etc.

Our next step is to teach the dog how to hold command on the back seat or in the hatch using the down/stay. When dogs are allowed to pace around anxiously they become more anxious. When dogs are accountable for doing a job (holding command calmly) they gain confidence and feel calmer.

Step three is going for lots of drives while the dog is supported by structure (holding command) and accountable for being non reactive until her confidence grows and she becomes much more comfy in the vehicle… kind of like exposure therapy for humans!

Lastly, we want to make sure that we aren’t reinforcing anxiety. Petting, ‘soothing’, cuddling an anxious dog, having them sit on your lap, etc. are all forms of reinforcement that tells the dog ‘I like you behaving anxiously, keep doing it!’ A healthier way to help the anxious dog is to teach her the skill set and the coping skills to handle these worrisome situations with confidence, independence and a calmer state of mind.