Amante in the car

[Rose Ann and Amante]

I have been having an issue with Amante in the car. He trembles whines. He is uncomfortable. I have tried many different things with no luck. He does the best when he is close to me. It breaks my heart that he is unncomfortable. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

OK, I feel better now hehe

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Maybe she is worried that her shoes don't match her outfit and she is embarrassed! 

[Ginny Nightingale]

One of my doodles has never liked the car--she did get sick as a pup and still can't really relax even for long trips--when she was young, we gave her half a dramamine 1/2 hour before the ride and it helped a lot--she no longer vomited, but still wasn't thrilled with the car. She likes to be in "her spot" in the backseat with a harness so that is what we do and she is much calmer that way. My other two are fine-one sleeps and the other sits up and looks out the window. 

One thing I wonder about often when people put the dog in the front seat or near them in the front is the air bags. If an air bag can snap the neck of a small child, how would it affect a dog sitting there? Does anyone know? I do not put my dogs in the front for that reason--and also, I doubt they would leave me alone long enough to let me drive!

[BG and Gavin]

I am sorry that Amante is going through this.  It would truly be a nightmare for us if Gavin did not travel well.  I can only offer what we do before leaving for our 4 hour bi-weekly car rides:  routine, routine, routine.  Before leaving Gavin gets a good walk and some play time to burn off excess energy.  Once he is cool, he eats his meal and then goes into "rest mode."  This is the mode we want him in for travel.  He is harnessed, gets inside the car through the same door, is hitched to the seatbelt on the same side and travels the same way on his blanket each and every time.  Never any fanfare; we never announce "car ride" or "cottage" just go about it like business.  I think this predictable routine creates relaxation.  Not sure if it will help you, but I am sure that it will not hurt.  Good luck Rose Ann.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

I feel your pain. I had a dog once that hated the car.  Most of my memories riding around in our van when the dog was with us are of the kids yelling out, " Mom, Windsor has thrown up again".......when my son told me about Jake (he is a re-home) one of the first things I wanted to know was how he liked the car and does he like cats?

I think BruceGirl gave you some good advice about how she does it with her doodle:)

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Ooh! I remember watching an episode of Dog Whisperer about a dog that was so nervous/anxious about being in the car that it cannot control is bowel moments. Owners described it as "explosive".  A very messy and smelly affair :(

Here's what Caesar Milan did in that episode..

- open all the car doors (and hatch-back)

- put dog on leash and walk it in one door and out another door/hatch-back. reward/praise when dog going in and out of car. repeat..repeat..

- make sure transition into car is smooth and don't stop/hesitate as it re-affirms dog's fear of car

- once dog goes in and out of car smoothly, gradually increase duration which it's in the car (more treats and praise)

repeat till dog is relaxed in car

- he also said to try challenging the dog with other non-car obstacles like a new bench or whatever's around the house to build dog's confidence.

 Here are some links from his website that might be helpful

http://www.cesarsway.com/askcesar/anxiety/Fear-of-Car

http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-travel/Creating-the-Best-Vehicle-for-Y...

Fortunately, Chewie LOVES car rides. Can't leave car door open for long or he'll jump in by himself :) 

[Pat and Traveler]

Sorry to hear Amante is so uncomfortable.  I don't have any advice as Trav is fine in the car.  This did remind me that I had to train him to get in by himself.  I used to lift him into the back (Honda CRV), but when we were going on a trip I knew I wouldn't want to lift him in and out several times a day, so trained him to jump into the vehicle through the back passenger side door. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

There are lots of great suggestions here.  The one thing I'd add is to be really careful not to reinforce the whining and overall nervous behavior by giving affection during that time.  I know how hard that is but it will only be a reinforcement.  When Amante does relax even for a minute or two....lots of "loving".  My Guinness got "car sick" as a puppy and we had a medication to control it....it seemed like he calmed down once his tummy was no longer bothering him and now he's fine.  Good luck.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Do you have him in the car of a full tummy. I know when Bailey was a puppy we couldn't go for a car ride if her stomach was full or she would get sick.  Whenever we go anywhere now I make sure she has eated at least an hour before and she is OK. 

I hope you find a helpful suggestion for Amante...