Our dog is normally unafraid of anything, except riding in a car. What can we try that doesn't involve drugs? Any natural foods or remedies that might work? We previously had a Golden for 10 years who loved car rides, so we're a little at a loss.
2007-03-02 15:01:15 · 17 answers · asked by cottagstan 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You need to desensitize her to the car. Put her in the car and sit with her, without the car on. Give her a treat, praise her and take her out. Do this until she wants to get in the car.
Then do the same thing, but turn the car on. Keep doing this until it doesn't bother her.
Then put her in the car, and drive her around the block. Come home, turn the car off, sit with her and give her a treat and praise. Do this until she's okay.
Gradually lengthen the trip. Try to avoid taking her to the vet too early into this, or if you have to go to to the vet, take her to some place she likes after, like a dog park or take her somewhere you can walk her. As long as her last memory of the ride is positive.
I have a Golden who is not a good traveler, but she has gotten better with time. I've found she does best on the floor of the car, not on the seat. I still won't take her on a long car ride, but she was a neglect and I'm just grateful that she's as close to "normal" now as she is.
2007-03-02 15:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by Kaia 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dogs just like people have different personalities.Obvious something about being in the car is scary to her , it may be the movement of the car itself that is making her physically insecure and therefore afraid. If your car is large enough to hold one I suggest a crate which when she's in it would be more stable but if the car is not suitable for a crate then perhaps the leash can be secured esp if the car has a garment hook which would help keep her more steady or putting her on the backseat or even the floor BUT having some pillows on either side to cushion her,keep her more steady in the car. The Long roundish hard pillows used as a headrest on a couch would be great or the largepillows that havea a back with attached armrest and have her sit in the center----anything actually that can have her feel more steady,where she'll not fel so much the turns,bunps etc that can have her feeling off balance will work. Can't be 100%sure this is the reason for can't observe the dog but its worth a try.Of course talking softly to her and actually talking the same pitch of voice as you would baby talk has been shown by dog(animal)trainers,handlers,esp behaviour specialists to be the Most Calming to a dog/Animal for its a higher pitch than normal speaking tone. Before I'd turn to chemical drugs although Prosac has been a life saver to calm dogs who get highly stressed I'd First Go to your Nearest Health Food Store and see whats available to calm dogs,decrease anxiety that comes rom nature and has less side effects which all chemicals have. Wish you luck
2007-03-02 15:24:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by letting her see a car turned off, close up. Let her sniff and don't force her to get close. Once she is comfortable getting close, then let her go in. Don't turn on the car or take her anywhere. Give her a treat the first and second time, then every once in a while after that. Give her praise no matter what. Then once she is comfortable, let her see the car turn on and let her sniff. Be sure the car doesn't move. Then back her up and let her see it move. Once she isn't timid around cars that are turned on, get her in the car and turn it on once she is in. Make it POSITIVE. Don't take her anywhere or move the car. Just let her feel the car when its on. Once she is comfortable take her around the block in the car. Then once she is comfortable with that, take her somewhere close where she can get out and play around. Somewhere fun, like a park. This will take a while. Don't move too fast. Better that it takes longer than have it not work. She has to be comfortable with the first step to be comfortable with the second. Don't force her to do anything. Some dogs just don't like cars. It will take a while and it should. I don't know any quick fix except like a tranquilizer perscribed by a vet. I would only use that if I was desperate.
2007-03-02 15:19:10 · answer #3 · answered by Dani 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try giving her treats and feeding her regularly in the car. Also bring her into the car without starting it or going anywhere. When she gets used to this, start the car but don't move it. Eventually you'll be able to go short distances. Do not start out going far- just go around the block and take her back home.
If she's ok with everything else but doesn't like going around the block, make her sit through the ride around the block anyway. That way she'll learn that she get's home within a short period of time.
This will probably take a while but it will definitely pay off.
2007-03-02 15:15:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm....time for some very short trips *to* the car - no trips, just fun things that your dog loves (food, games, toys) all around and in the car when it's not moving. Be very patient with this stage and go have fun with your dog in the car whenever you think of it. What you are doing is changing the association of the car from "bad place" to "good place".
Next, you continue these games and fun, with the car running. When he's not showing any anxiety or stress, take him for a ride to someplace amazing that's very, very close to your home.
Any fear behavior needs to be dealt with patiently. This is very hard for most humans - life gets in the way, or we get lazy, or feel that the dog "should" be able to get over it magically because we feel that his behavior is silly or unfounded. But science has shown that patience and positive reinforcement are the best tools that we have for helping our dogs. Good luck!
2007-03-02 15:22:26 · answer #5 · answered by Misa M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well my dog a couple years ago waz very afraid of car rides. but all u gotta do is every now and then try 2 take a slow drive and act like u r enjoying the ride yourself. slowly she/he will c that u r having fun and will adapt to the car. try it and see if it works. you might want 2 open the window a little for fresh air
2007-03-02 15:12:47 · answer #6 · answered by Michelle_is_me<33 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just desensitize her to the car. If she has a bed or blanket you can put that in the car. Doors open, use treats to coax in or leash and walk her through the back seat and out the other side. Then one door open and put her in. Then her in up and down driveway, then around block, etc more and more. Never give her sympathy attention to soothe her nervousness, this will only make it worse. She will adjust over time.
2007-03-02 15:09:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off just put her in the car and give her lots of praise and treats so it becomes a positive experience. Take her on short trips with positive destinations, like a park or lake. Soon she should be better at it.
2007-03-02 15:25:48 · answer #8 · answered by moonkissedwarrior 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep taking it on short car rides and praise it everytime it gets in the car. Try puting a kennel with treats, blankets, toys, ect. It may calm your dog down. Also have someone talk soothinly, and calmly to your dog. I hope your Golden getts over its fear! I adore Goldens, I even have one!
2007-03-02 15:11:12 · answer #9 · answered by Toad 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yeah, our dog used to throw up in the car. Last time he was riding in the car, I just held him in my lap, played with some of his chew toys with him and that's about all. He didn't throw up! Also, try classical music. He likes that too. Good luck!
2007-03-02 15:12:03 · answer #10 · answered by rachelgsmile 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋