Four Ways to Keep Your Puppy Happy on Car Rides!

While going to the store, the veterinarian's office, or on long car rides, it isn't always easy to keep your puppy quiet and still. Younger puppies seem to have trouble keeping quiet more than older puppies simply because they haven't been exposed to car rides as much as the older ones. But nevertheless, if you are getting tired of the whining and screaming that your puppies seem to do in the car, there are some simple things that one can do in order to quiet them and make them happy.

Take them out!

Even though it may not seem like it, puppies may not always like being cooped up in a cage, even if there is only one or two of them! But taking them out of the cage for the car ride will make them feel not only special but also loved and that someone actually wants them! Of course, if you are alone this may be a difficult task without having a person along to hold them. But, my experience has been that puppies will not attempt to jump off the seat if you simply place them on the car seat instead of in their carrier.

Give them a scent of home!

Reasons that they may be whining may because they're alone in the car without their mommy or daddy or brother or sister! If that's the case, take a little preparation along before you attempt the car ride wherever you're going. For example, take a small blanket or towel and let the mother or father dog get their scent on it. Now you can place that right by your puppy in the car and he or she won't feel like he's all alone! A simple scent from home of the puppy's mom or dad can make things all the more better and quieter for you and your puppy!

Play with them!

Taking other human-friends along is a good idea for the puppies to have someone to play with or simply to lie in the lap of. Once again, if they feel like they're all alone then the chances are high that they are simply going to go back to their whining state. Preventing that is important and taking another person along to give them company will make them feel loved and at home. If you don't have another person along in the car, however, and you're not going that far, you may just be able to get away with holding your puppy on your lap if he or she isn't too big. Most puppies around 8 or 10 weeks old aren't that heavy or big at all so it might just work!

Toys!

Not only will something familiar help your puppy (like a scent of mom or dad), but being able to play with their familiar and favorite toys is another plus for your puppy. If your puppy has just started teething or likes a certain chew-toy, taking that in the car will keep him busy for hours on end! Puppy toys are not all that expensive in department stores, either, so you may just have to pick up something small that your puppy will love!

Once you get accustomed to doing these simple favors for your puppies, car rides with your puppy will no longer seem like chores but a happy outing for your and your puppy! There are plenty of other things to do for your puppy also, like letting him get some air from the window or giving him special puppy treats to eat on the way, but these are some of the tried and true ways to make your car ride happier and more comfortable for your puppy!