How to Help Your Dog with Travel Anxiety

Travel anxiety for dogs can be caused from a lot of different things. It could be that they don’t know what is happening, they have negative associations with the car because they think they are going to the vet or groomer, or that you aren’t the best driver (kidding!!). Whatever the cause, we have a few tips, and two products that we think could significantly help you and your dog's travel anxiety.

1

Do Exercises to Help them Get Used to the Car

  • In a non-moving vehicle, sit in the back of the car with your dog for a few minutes - pet them, give them a treat, and comfort them
  • Repeat the exercise above every couple of days, and work on extending the time you spend in the car
  • Continue to offer praise and affection, and include treats - if they can start to associate the car with food, it will decrease their anxiety
2

Take Short Trips to Fun Destinations

  • If your dog’s anxiety with the car comes from them thinking a car ride = a vet visit, taking them on fun, short trips can help them to disassociate the car with negative emotions
  • Consider driving to visit a dog park, or driving to go for a walk / hike
3

Bring Along Some of Their Favorite Things

  • Bring a toy, or their favorite blanket on the trip
  • Bonus points if the blanket smells like their best friend - YOU!
  • These items can help to provide comfort, and a distraction for your anxious pup!
4

Try a ThunderShirt® Calming Wrap

  • A ThunderShirt® applies constant, gentle pressure around a dog’s torso (like a hug!), in order to help them feel calm and safe
  • ThunderShirt® is already used by millions of dogs, and customers saw improvement in anxiety issues in over 85% of their dogs
5

Pair Your ThunderShirt® with ThunderEase® Calming Pheromone Spray

  • ThunderEase® helps your dog to feel calm and comfortable by mimicking a mother’s natural nursing pheromones
  • Recommended for reducing signs of travel anxiety
  • We’ve seen great results if you combine the powers of calm, using both a ThunderShirt® and ThunderEase® Calming Spray
ThunderShirt® for Dogs
T08-D-Spray

Success Stories

"My Havanese is not the best little traveler in world, so I purchased this to use on an extended road trip. It was nothing short of remarkable! Although he's normally anxious in the car, he was relaxed and calm, sleeping most of the way. "

Mona
DOG OWNER

"The ThunderShirt is amazing. My dog has anxiety when traveling in the car. I bought it because we where traveling by car from ME to FL. It works! She was a lot calmer, and made for a much more enjoyable ride for all of us."

Debbie
DOG OWNER

"I am very impressed and so happy with the effectiveness the ThunderShirt has had with my dog's anxiety while traveling. Before, my dog would stand, pant, and brace herself against the back seat while riding. Since wearing the ThunderShirt the panting has stopped and she is laying down for at least 90% of the time while riding. I feel like I have a new dog!"

Brenda
DOG OWNER

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