Car Anxiety and my Doodle

[Rosie Moore]

I need help with my baby. Any time I take her anywhere in the car she freaks out. She barks, she pants, she runs around in the back of the car and tries to come to the front. Got her a seat belt harness, but that doen't help, she gets the harness so twisted that she makes it very short. Finally decided to put her cage in my car, which takes over the car, and she still freaks out in it. I have her pillow, her treats but nothing seems to help. She usually has no problem getting in the car, or sitting in it as long as the ignition is off. As soon as the car starts, and is in motion, she starts barking, whinning, panting, biting her cage, going round and round in her cage. Can't figure it out. She used to travel well when she was just a puppy, but it seems that as soon as she turned one her fear came out. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I would like to be able to take her with me to california without having to give her the drugs that the vet recommended. Any suggestions anyone?

Thanks
Rosie

[Janie]

I would do what Adina suggested...I have done this with my dogs and had success.

[Rosie Moore]

Thanks... The main trips are to the different parks, or go visit my mom who has a huge yard. But I see where I might have made the mistake at the beginning when she was enjoying to get in the car and go, and that is I took her to the store to pickup something, and YES I did leave her alone for a 10 minutes or so. It was cool, part of the windows open, she had water and treats, but I guess that's where it all began!!!! I will try to do what is suggested... I hope that will work. Thanks everyone...

[Eva]

Hi Rosie, Adina's idea is perfect and as many positive reinforcements as you can give, all the better. Malibu used to be afraid to get in, when she was younger, and it took bribes just to get her in and out. I would then just love her up and make it fun for her and give her treats. Warming her up, and then going to do something fun and close by like a romp is probably best. A doggie rainbow to look forward to at the end of her short trip. I"d avoid any unncecessary trips at all costs obviously, but if you do go, then more snacks and treats. Good Luck Eva

[Lois Aufmann]

I think Adina's suggestion is a good one. I saw an episode on Animal Planet's "Good Dog U" dealing with anxiety in the car and they did exactly the same thing. Someone sat in the back seat of the car with the dog while they only backed up a few feet in the driveway and stopped, treated the dog and let it get out of the car. It was slow progression but they eventually were able to work up to long distances. The key was to go very slowly in adding distance. I think you are looking at taking weeks to be successful.

[Adina P]

What medication has the vet recommended?
The only thing I can think of, and I have not done this myself as I have not experienced this problem, is to very gradually condition her to accept riding in the car by starting simply with having the ignition turned on. Make the experience of the ignition turning on something fabulous! Be armed with treats that are worth $1,000,000 to her. Repeat this a few times a day over the course of many days until the sound of the ignition starts to make her look happy. Then you can do simple things like just backing out of the driveway 1 foot. Then farther. Then drive back and forth in the driveway. Then drive around the block slowly and maybe even stop a few times if you can. With each step you have to progress very slowly so that she's actually enjoying it before you move to the next step. Maybe have somebody sitting in the car that can give her treats as you drive.

Just a thought for what it's worth.

[Cam & Oski]

Where do you go when you take her in the car? Is it for fun stuff like the dog park or errands where she stays behind in the car or the vet? If your car trips have changed to something she doesn't like (ie being left behind while at the grocery store) she may be getting anxious because she's associating car rides with something she doesn't like? I would think that if it were motion sickness she would do things like drool & vomit?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Maybe she gets car sick?