Imagine that you are taking a road trip, driving down a long country highway with the windows down…
Your dog is in the back seat, sticking his head out the window and enjoying the ride right along with you…
As you travel, you notice a smell starting to creep into your nose. Is it manure? You have been passing a lot of farms, so that seems reasonable…
Strangely, the smell seems to be following you, and after glancing in the rearview mirror, it becomes clear… Your traveling companion is pooping in the back seat!
Ok, so it might not have panned out exactly like that scenario, but you’re probably here because your dog poops in the car, and you don’t know what to do about it…
Well, unfortunately, this is a situation that many of us dog parents have encountered while driving with our fur babies…
It can happen regardless of the length of the ride, and in this article, we’ll be discussing how you can put a stop to this behavior by going over the following information…
- Why Does My Dog Poop In The Car?
- How To Prepare Your Dog For A Car Ride
- How To Train Your Dog For Car Rides
In the end, you’ll understand why your dog is pooping in the car, and you’ll have a good idea of what to do to stop him (or her) from using your car as a personal potty again in the future…
Let’s begin by discussing why dogs go poop in the car…
Why Does My Dog Poop In The Car?
It is important to note that for dogs, defecation is not only a bodily function but a response to a situation or an environment that they do not like…
Consider the act of getting into a car as a human. We don’t really give conscious thought to the change in smell, noise level, or space constraints…
But for a dog that is much more sensitive to these types of stimuli, the simple process of getting into a car might be overwhelming…
In addition to that, dogs often travel by car if they’re on their way to the vet, and that can also be a frightening experience for them…
A dog that only associates a car ride with something that he (or she) sees as unpleasant can start to respond to the stressful event with unwanted behaviors like pooping…
Here are some of the signs that will indicate that your dog has anxiety while driving in a car…
- whining
- drooling
- stiff posture
- a general look of being uncomfortable
Another common reason why dogs poop in cars is motion sickness. Many dogs have a difficult time handling the act of riding in the car, and they may poop or vomit after feeling sick, even on short trips…
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that your dog is properly potty trained because that could be the reason he is pooping in the car as well…
This is especially true if your dog is still a puppy, but it can also be the reason for this behavior in older dogs as well…
If you’ve never paid much attention to your dog’s behavior while driving, one of the things you can do is take a few short drives…
This will allow you to really keep a close eye on the way your dog reacts to a car ride, and you’ll have a better understanding of what is actually causing your dog to poop in the car.
How To Prepare Your Dog For A Car Ride…
Before driving with your dog, it’s a good idea to make time to take your dog for a long walk before loading him into the vehicle…
This will give him a chance to poop or pee before the car ride, and it may help him feel more relaxed as well…
A long walk a few hours before, followed by a short 20-minute walk before your journey is also a great strategy because, again, it gives your dog a chance to go potty in an appropriate place…
In addition to that, you should use a dog crate or a dog harness while driving with your dog in the car…
You’ll want to make sure that your dog’s crate is properly sized and that it’s fitted securely into the car, or you’ll want to ensure that his harness fits properly before driving…
All dogs should be secured in some way inside a vehicle. It will help your dog feel more secure, and it will also avoid them lurching forward and backward during stops and starts, which can be jarring and a little bit frightening for a dog.
It’s also a good idea to provide blankets or toys for your dog in the car because they will help him feel more comfortable and relaxed…
They’ll also help him understand that the space he is in (the car) is a safe one where he doesn’t need to feel scared or anxious…
You should also make sure that the car’s internal temperature is cool, that the windows are open to provide fresh air and, that you limit your dog’s food and water intake before leaving…
Again, this will help your dog feel more comfortable and at home in the car, and it will prevent your dog from having a full stomach which can lead to motion sickness in even the most seasoned canine car passenger…
It’s also important to note that if your dog has pooped in the car before, be sure that any soiled spots are thoroughly cleaned with an enzymic cleaner…
This will help you get rid of the smell and stain, but it will also help reduce the urge your dog might have for re-using the car as a place to go potty because it has already been soiled…
If you’ve tried everything and are still concerned about anxiety in your dog while driving, you should consider speaking to a vet about prescribing an anti-anxiety medication or something to alleviate motion sickness…
How To Train Your Dog For Car Rides…
A dog who loves the car (or is at least comfortable in the car) is much less likely to have an accident during a drive…
So teaching your dog to be excited about car rides as early as possible is a great thing to do…
New puppies have the best chance of learning to love car rides early on, but any dog at any age can learn to be comfortable in a car. The key is training them to associate the car with fun and rewards…
For a dog that has never ridden in a car before or ridden just a few times, your can start with the simple game of jumping in and out of the car while it is parked in the driveway…
As they go in and out you can reward them with a treat (like a dog biscuit or cheese), and this will help them associate the car with something positive…
Once your dog is comfortable and excited to just get into the car, try taking short practice rides to somewhere he or she will not see as stressful…
A simple drive to a park followed by some playtime, or even a drive down the street and back home can help your dog start connecting the car with things that they enjoy…
Continue with short drives and rewards until your dog started to regularly get excited for a trip in the car, and this should help stop your dog from becoming anxious and pooping…
It’s also important, especially if you’re taking your dog on a longer drive like a road trip, to have a space prepared just for them…
As I mentioned before, the motion of a car while driving can be unsettling and chaotic for a dog. So make sure that your dog is secured either in a comfortable crate or with a seat harness…
Again, this will help your dog feel more stable and ensure that he or she feels more secure while the car is in motion…
Lastly, if you feel like you need more help training your dog, I recommend you check out the Brain Training For Dogs Program…
I like it because it’s highly effective, easy to follow, and you can access the program from the comfort of your own home…
If you’d like to learn more about how Brain Training For Dogs can help you train your dog not to poop in the car and to become more obedient, click the link below…
Final Thoughts…
It can be incredibly frustrating when your dog poops in the car, but the important thing to remember is that you can get your dog to stop…
Knowing why your dog is pooping in the car and proper preparation beforehand is key to putting an end to the behavior…
And training your dog to enjoy and feel comfortable in the car will also set your fur baby up for success…
And after getting to the root of the problem, you and your dog will enjoy riding in the car together for many years to come.