Car accident :(

[Devin and Indy]

I need y'alls help. 

 

I got rear-ended pretty bad today. It wasn't my fault and no one is injured, but Indy was with me in the car. He was shaken up really bad. I'm pretty sure his anal glands, ahem, released and he was shaking and panting the whole way home. I couldn't really comfort him at the time because I had to do all the insurance stuff.

 

We had been making progress with his car fear and he did great on the road trip up here. Now I'm scared he will never get in the car again. What can I do to help him be ok with the car? Has anyone else been in an accident with their doodle?

[Jane Smith]

There was someone here that was in an accident so I hope they respond.  So sorry to hear about this. 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

It was Kate Pappas who is a member of the Southern California group.  Let me see if I can find her link!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Here it is.  She was in an accident within the last two months on a Los Angeles freeway with Yindi who is her youngest Doodle.  Good Luck!

http://www.doodlekisses.com/profile/KateCPappas?xg_source=profiles_...

[Devin and Indy]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I don't know if you have tried the Thunder shirt but I have seen threads on DK that talk about how that can help with anxiety. Best of luck to you. So glad no one was injured. Poor Indy!

[Stella]

This is just a setback, you will probably have to go back to the beginning with addressing his car fear but you can do it!  Our older dood had a huge problem with car travel, and even used to get travel sick when he was younger. He refused to get into the car so we were having to lift him in - no fun when he got to 75 pounds!!   We did a lot of work getting to jump in and out of the car without the engine even on in the driveway.  We would take him for a jog so he was hot and tired, get him to jump into the car, give him a wet cool towel to lie on and his drink in the car.    We even sat in the back with him reading a book or something to help him relax.  We progressed to doing this with the engine running, and then short trips.  We tried to take him in the car to nice places - training classes, hiking, the dog park etc.  For longer journeys we resorted to using Gravol on the advice of our vet, to stop him getting sick - it worked!  Eventually, with perserverence he got over it.  He will never be a dog that is excited to get into the car, but he does jump in by himself now and doesn't drool all over the place anymore!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Does your dog ride in a car seat or use a seat harness?  My boys love their car seats - I think it makes them feel secure, plus helps Rooney be able to see out the window.  Of course they are strapped in and this gives me peace of mind.  I'm so happy that neither of you were hurt - that is the main thing.  Check into a car seat.

[Devin and Indy]

Thank goodness he has both! The car seat and harness kept him safe. His 'box' had been helping with his anxiety a lot and he even slept for awhile on our long drive to Nashville

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Sorry to hear you were in a accident.  But happy to hear that you and Indy were not hurt.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm so sorry to hear about this, but glad nobody was hurt. I think you will have to go back to basics. Treating, do things slow, etc. Hope everything gets better!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

So sorry that that had to happen.  Thank goodness no one was hurt.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

How frightening for you both.  I have no words of wisdom about dealing with his fear going forward, but I'm just happy that you were not seriously injured.