Driving with Your Dog: Four Tips for Great Pyrenees Owners
Taking your dog with you on car trips is all part of being a pet owner. Whether it’s to the vet for their regular checkups, driving to a new place to walk, or taking a family holiday, your pup will likely spend a portion of their time in your vehicle.
While some dogs love seeing the world go by from the back of the car, others are understandably more nervous. For a big dog such as a Great Pyrenees, being in the car means staying in one small place, as well as dealing with the noise of the road.
So how can you keep your Pyr happy in the car? Here are four top tips to help you enjoy your adventures together.
Make the car a safe space for your dog
Dogs take cues from you, and from their environment, and many can lean towards being nervous in new situations as they don’t know what to expect. As a result, you need to teach your Pyr that the car is a safe place where they can relax, rather than something to fear.
Don’t just launch straight into long car journeys. Instead, follow these steps:
- Let your dog explore the car by themselves. This could mean putting treats on the seat where they can easily reach them, or even feeding them their dinner in there (although this might not be feasible with a Pyr because of space).
- Put a blanket that has your dog’s scent on it in the car. Often, car hammocks or crates have a strange new smell which can be offputting, so a familiar scent is comforting.
- Practice getting your dog into the car, securing them, and closing the door. After a brief pause, open the door again and reward them.
- Start with short trips to fun locations, so the dog associates the car with a treat
- Finally, you can then build up to longer periods of time once your Pyr is comfortable.
Of course, it’s not always possible to do all of these steps. But if you have a long journey planned, start working on your car training as soon as possible.
Control the temperature
On a winter’s day, it can be tempting to turn up the heat in the car – but don’t forget that your canine friend is wearing a rather large fur coat, so they’ll be much warmer than you. Additionally, many older vehicles only have air conditioning or heating jets in the front of the vehicle, meaning you can feel one temperature, but your dog feels a completely different one.
Managing the temperature in the car might take some time to get right, so make sure to pay attention to the signals your dog is giving you, and adjust accordingly.
Be aware of your music
Long car journeys are a chance to put the radio or a playlist on, and potentially even do some car karaoke if you’re so inclined. While this is a fun part of a road trip, it can be stressful for your dog, especially if you’re playing emotional ballads or heavy rock.
Instead, try to choose some more neutral music, or a podcast or audiobook, to help keep your Pyr feeling calm on the move.
Plan your rest stops
Finally, the key to any long journey is planning appropriate rest stops. This is particularly important for big dogs who may overheat in the confines of a car – and it also gives them a chance to stretch their legs.
Make sure to pick places where your Pyr can have a walk on the lead, go to the toilet, and have a rest away from the vehicle. Pulling in at the side of the road isn’t usually suitable unless it’s urgent.
There you have it – four tips to help you and your Pyr both feel more relaxed and safe in the car, so you can enjoy the freedom driving gives you.
