Murray showed me the dream. He taught me what dog-friendly travel could be with simple café mornings, beach days, weekend adventures together. But when Murphy arrived at eight weeks old, everything changed. Because Murphy taught me something Murray never could: what it means when your dog struggles with travel.
Murphy has severe car anxiety and motion sickness. Every car ride is a challenge we work through together. He hides, he vomits, he trembles. And in learning how to help him, I’ve discovered what dog owners truly need from Pawtal.
This is Murphy’s story; not a success story, but something far more valuable: the story of a dog who showed me that real dog travel isn’t about having the perfect dog. It’s about being prepared for the dog you have, and moving forward anyway.
Bringing Murphy Home
At just eight weeks old, we brought Murphy home a happy, curious Golden Retriever puppy. I’d worked full-time, so I knew we needed the right setup. We prepared a special area in the kitchen, puppy-proofed it, set up his bed, toys, a tarp for accidents, and pee pads. We even installed a camera so we could watch him while we were at work and always looked forward to coming home to see him.
It was the expected chaos of puppyhood. Escaped puppy adventures. Accidents on the floor. A wiggling, excited little boy who treated every moment like the greatest adventure of his life. Everything felt manageable. Everything felt normal.
And then came the car rides.
When Car Anxiety Appeared
As Murphy grew, it became clear that something wasn’t right. He never wanted to ride in the car. When we investigated further, it was obvious: he had developed severe dog car anxiety. The symptoms were unmistakable hiding, vomiting, and excessive drooling.
While I was eager to discover new trails and pet-friendly spots, Murphy’s distress made each journey difficult. We had to find ways to help him feel more comfortable during car trips. This has been an ongoing process.
Here’s what we’ve tried:
- Creating a Comfortable Space: I ensure Murphy has a cozy spot in the car with his favourite blanket and calming mat. I ensure he faces forward and, if possible, I ride in the back with him to keep him calm.
- Positive Reinforcement: We use high-value treats and praise to reward Murphy after each trip short or long. This helps him associate the car with good things.
- Gradual Introduction: We do short trips around the block. This slow exposure helps Murphy get used to longer trips without becoming overwhelmed.
- Professional Guidance: We’re in conversation with our vet to trial other remedies or prescription medication to help Murphy remain calm when travelling by car.
Despite our efforts, we haven’t yet seen significant improvement. However, with time, patience, and continuing to use the tips shared in my post on Overcoming Dog Car Anxiety, I’m hopeful that Murphy will grow more comfortable with car travel as he gets older. The journey isn’t over, but every small step forward is a victory in itself.
Learning Together
Every day with Murphy is a learning experience. He has taught me so much from managing his car anxiety and motion sickness to understanding what consistency in dog training really means. When we enrolled him in puppy school at 16 weeks old, he attended two rounds of four classes at $50 each. These classes were a fantastic introduction to socialisation and training. Murphy learned essential commands that have been vital in his development.
Puppy school taught me not just how to train him, but how to raise a dog effectively. The experience of seeing Murphy interact with other puppies and learning new commands was both rewarding and fun. But I quickly realised that consistency is key.
One of the first challenges we faced was his love of chewing and pulling out plants in our backyard. It was clear we needed to make sure all the plants were safe for him. We spent a lot of time researching and checking our garden to ensure there were no toxic plants. To help other pet owners avoid similar issues, I created a comprehensive guide on safe and toxic plants for dogs.
What Murphy Has Shaped at Pawtal
While Murray showed me the dream, Murphy showed me the reality of dog travel. He has had a profound impact on how Pawtal has evolved and what resources I create.
Murphy is why Pawtal exists the way it does. He’s taught me that dog travel isn’t about having the perfect dog. It’s about preparation, patience, and celebrating small wins. It’s about understanding that every dog is different and their challenges are real.
Every resource I develop comes from what Murphy has taught me. When I create guides on managing car anxiety, I write from lived experience. When I talk about gradual desensitisation, I’m remembering the small victories. When I emphasise that every dog is different, I’m speaking directly about Murphy a Golden Retriever who doesn’t fit the stereotype because he struggles where others excel.
The dog owners who need Pawtal most are the ones with anxious dogs, with sensitive dogs, with dogs that don’t fit the perfect picture. They’re the ones who need permission to go slower, to celebrate small progress, to know they’re not failing.
Murphy’s journey shapes every guide we create, every tip we share, and every piece of advice that comes from Pawtal. He’s why I understand that dog travel looks different for every dog and that’s not just okay, it’s essential.
My Ultimate Goal
My ultimate goal is for us all to one day travel Australia together. And Murphy (with his challenges, his anxiety, his motion sickness) is teaching me how to make that possible, not just for us, but for every dog owner who feels stuck or overwhelmed by their dog’s struggles.
Every guide I create, every resource I develop, every tip I share it flows directly from what Murphy has taught me. That’s why Pawtal exists.
Start Where Your Dog Is
You don’t need the perfect dog to travel with confidence. You need the right preparation. Take the free 60-second Readiness Check to see where your dog stands and what to focus on first.
Help Your Dog Build the Skills Before the Trip Gets Harder
If your dog still needs more preparation around car confidence, crate comfort, settling or travel routines, the Road-Ready Dog Toolkit gives you practical guidance to work through those areas at your dog’s pace.
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