Riding in the car

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am not sure anyone has had this problem but I could use some help and suggestions. Lily Grace was horrible on after picking her up from the breeder. I was in the back seat holding her and she tried to climb and scratch her way out of my arms. It seemed like panic. I have never had a dog that did not settled own and rest in the car.

Since then I have tried a Sherpa bag which I seat belted into the front seat so she would be close to me. She screams when I close the top and climbs out if I don't. I have a car harness on her so she just hangs half way out of the bag. Next I tried Cassie's old car seat in the rear seat. Same thing, the harness is hooked onto the car seat belt. She climbs out of the car seat and is hanging by the harness. I am afraid she will be hurt. She is trying to get to me and is crying. I am not sure where to go from here. Any suggestion on how to take her I the car is appreciated. BTW, I am driving a Honda Civic. Thanks.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think it's going to take some time and lots of patience.  I would bring her out to the car and buckle her in several times a day.....but don't go anywhere.  If she sits calm for 30 seconds....treat....then 60 seconds....just keep building up.  Stay completely calm during these exercises...just a quiet "good girl" and treat when she's sitting or lying calmly.  Then you can start moving the car...maybe just to the end of the driveway at first and then to the end of the street.  I wouldn't force the issue until she's conditioned and understands that the car is not something that she needs to fear.  Others may have better ideas, but we did some of this with Guinness who hated cars as a puppy and got terribly carsick.  Now he loves our road trips.  Good luck.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I agree with Jane. It takes a lot of patience and I think as they get a little older it helps too.

Sue, be thankful she does not have motion sickness.  Charlie rode 5 hrs in the car on the way home from the breeder (on my lap) with no problems.  3 days later, I took him in for wellness exam (crated in car) and he got so sick - foaming at mouth and finally just upchucked!)  I sat in the car with him day after day not going anywhere and treating.  I think a lot of it was really anxiety, but the vet said he is also having motion sickness.  He loves to go in the car now, if he can be in the front (shotgun).  If he is in backseat, he tosses his cookies!  Beau on the other hand at 3 mos. just loves, loves the car and would prefer to ride on the dashboard if we would let him, but much to his dismay - he needs to be seatbelted in the back seat!

Hang in there - I think it will get better with time and patience and lots of treating.  With Charlie, I found he could not even eat the treats being offered when we were just sitting in the car in the garage! 

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Lily Grace does not get car sick and will stay calm as long as I am treating. She will do anything for food, little piggy! My feeling is she wants to be next to me and that is why she is carrying on like she is. I will try her in the harness directly on the back seat hooked to the seatbelt, and not in the car seat. Will will try the treat only if she is quiet, then a short drive around the complex.

[Tina R.]

I agree with everyone's excellent ideas above -- I did the same routine with Ollie and he's splendid in the car now. Just one addition, check if your car has front-seat air bags. If so, I suggest only allowing your pup in the backseat. Should you ever get in a car accident (let's hope never) and the front air bag deploys it could be quite hazardous to sweet Lily Grace if she's in the front seat.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

My car does which is why I want her in the Sherpa Bag in the front seat or buckled up in the back. We will start at the beginning. I had such plans to get her out in town to socialize her but I am exhausted after trying to drive 2 blocks with her.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

All the suggestions are good ones, but I just had an idea to help calm Lily down while traveling (I have NOT used this in practice, at least not for car rides, but it makes sense to me). Try tying a scarf around Lily's neck before going for a ride. Scarves always calm Lucy and make her more docile, as does her head halter. It kind of works on the same principle as that garment for dogs that wraps around them tightly (I can't for the life of me remember the name... I think its overkill though, because other tight fitting garments and scarves can have the same affect). It makes them calm and docile. It can't hurt to try!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I will try that. Lily has not yet had a scarf on and it may distract her.