Dog Anxiety In Cars

How many times have you seen a dog left in a car while waiting for their person to return? You can see this in parking lots and in front of store parking. It always tugs at the heart string especially seeing the dog in freeze behavior mode, staring intensely for the first glimpse of his person or family. Pet parents know to leave windows open, not to leave them in a car on a hot day at all and to keep the time short. Whether one or several dogs, the look and behavior is the same…a frozen stance. If a dog is feeling the need to freeze or be still, it means that they are experiencing a high level of unease. In some instances when a dog is still, the situation may not escalate further; the freeze may mean the dog is so uncomfortable or stressed with the situation that he feels he has no option but to shut down. Since you are the person away from your dog even if it’s to pop into a store or post office for a short period of time, it’s important to address what your dog is feeling during these moments.

We may think these short moments of anxiety dissipate as soon as your dog sees you return with a waggy tail and settles down, however please note that the physical response of pulse rate and cortisol levels takes some time to lower to your dog’s baseline or normal levels.

Perhaps your dog barks excessively until you return? Some dogs may jump back and forth from the back seat to the front seat as a stress anxiety behavior. These short time periods in the car are signs of stress. Stress behavior in dogs is the focus of Pet Tunes Canine calming music which we hope you already have for your dog. We wanted to underline the portability and stress-modifying tool of Pet Tunes music that it is not just for separation anxiety at home but to be used also for these moments of anxiety and stress while in the car or other places you take your dog.

OTHER PLACES WHERE DOGS FEEL STRESS

CAR TRAVEL, VET VISITS, GROOMING SESSIONS, KENNEL STAYOVERS, POST SURGERY RECUPERATION