If you have a Yorkie, then chances are they love to go for car rides. In this blog post I will give you some tips on how to train your Yorkie to ride in the car and enjoy it! The first step is making sure that your dog likes riding in the car by taking them out for short drives and rewarding them with treats when they do well. Next, teach them obedience commands like sit while driving so that they can be safe at all times. Lastly, make sure that during their trip home they have a good experience by keeping them calm (avoiding things like speeding up or braking suddenly) and playing soothing music.
When do you take your Yorkie for a car ride?
If you want your Yorkie to enjoy going for car rides. You should start out by taking them for quick rides and often. This will help them feel at ease when getting into the car. With time it will become second nature for them to want to go for rides with you, and you can start taking them for longer distances!
What should you do to make sure your Yorkie likes going for car rides?
Reward them! Every time your Yorkie jumps into the passenger seat on their own reward them with a treat. This will reinforce positive behavior and have them entering the vehicle on their own in no time at all!
Do they need obedience training while in the car?
Yes! While you are operating a vehicle you don’t want your Yorkie distracting you from keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. If they seem overly anxious in the car you can always purchase a small crate to keep them in, in the beginning. The last thing you want is a wild small breed dog jumping all over you while you’re trying to drive or even worse ending up down at your feet and getting in the way of the gas and brakes.
How can you keep them calm during a ride home?
Offer them treats, and remain calm yourself. Yorkies will pick up on your emotions. If you are acting anxious it will only make their anxiety heightened. Don’t speed and break too aggressively as this will throw around a dog that doesn’t have much weight to begin with. Good smooth safe driving will provide a better riding experience for you and your Yorkie!
Why shouldn’t dogs be left alone in cars without air conditioning or heat/cooling system on (regardless of temperature)?
Cars can heat up extremely fast. Unfortunately every year dogs pass away in cars that are left out in the heat without air conditioning for too long. If you plan to keep your dog in the car make sure that the temperature stays comfortable the entire time for the dog.
How can I make sure my dog likes going in the car?
Treats and praise!
What should you avoid when driving with your Yorkie?
Distractions! Put your phone down! Also don’t provide them with extra attention while driving. You don’t want them to expect your undivided attention when you are behind the wheel.
Should my Yorkie be sitting or laying down during our drive home from an outing?
Either or, the most important part is that they stay off of your lap and allow you to stay focused on the road.
In Conclusion:
Most small breed dogs, including the Yorkie, enjoy going for car rides. Remember to train them to be on their best behavior in a car to keep distractions limited. You can do this with treats and lots of praise when they are behaving and doing well on the ride.
