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Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too!

This week, Sam is back to tackle a challenge so many dog owners face: car chaos. That moment the keys jingle or the engine starts and suddenly your dog is whining, pacing, panting, or barking out of the window. For some dogs it’s over-excitement, for others it’s stress or even nausea, but either way, it can make every journey feel like hard work.

So what’s really going on? For so many dogs, the car is loaded with meaning. Walks, vet visits, new places… It all builds anticipation fast. And that anticipation can tip into over-arousal or stress before you’ve even left the drive.

Listen in as Lauren and Sam share practical strategies to help you change that picture. From creating “non-event” car journeys that lead to nothing, to simply hanging out in a parked vehicle, you’ll learn how to remove the hype and help your dog switch off. They also explore why crate training can be a game-changer for calm travel, creating safety, structure, and reducing visual triggers that often keep dogs on edge.

As the conversation continues, Lauren and Sam get into the detail of reinforcement too, because if calmness in the car is your current struggle, that’s where your training focus needs to be. From hand feeding and using daily food to build positive associations, to scatter feeding and long-lasting chews, this is all about changing how your dog feels about the car.

If your dog struggles with car travel, this episode will give you a clear, practical plan you can start straight away.

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