Alleviate dog travel fear with Adaptil
Travelling in the car can be a very stressful event for you dog, especially if he knows you might be off to the Vets!
Travel sickness in dogs involves two important components; motion sickness and fear. Both of these can cause nausea and excessive salivation, but fear may also cause your dog to pant, tremble, bark, whine, urinate/defecate and/or attempt to escape. Reducing your dog’s stress levels will, in most cases, help to reduce the symptoms of travel sickness too.
Adaptil is clinically proven to comfort and reassure dogs in challenging situations and can make travelling by car less stressful for all concerned. Desensitisation is the key to car training and should begin with a dog learning to sit in a stationary car. The next step is to encourage the dog to get into the car with the engine running, followed by a short trip with trips getting progressively longer.
10 Top Tips to help cautious canines overcome their fear of travel
1. Discuss the problem with your vet
2. Get your dog used to being in the car for short periods, without going anywhere
3. Associate the car with treats and play
4. Initially go for short rides and then progressively increase the distance and speed
5. Consider using a travel cage or carrier, to provide reassurance. Accustom the dog to the cage before using in the car
6. On the day of travel, only feed a light meal (do not limit water)
7. Apply Adaptil Spray on the bedding, 15 minutes before putting the dog in the car
8. Keep the vehicle well ventilated and never leave your dog unattended in the car
9. Allow your dog to exercise and toilet every 2 hours. Take this opportunity to re-apply Adaptil Spray
10. Take time to consider if a Adaptil Collar would be more appropriate. If the journey is longer than 3 hours and/or the destination is new (e.g. going on holiday, moving house etc…) the Adaptil Collar may be more suitable, releasing a constant stream of the pheromone and helping the dog remain relaxed for up to 4 weeks.
