She just cries and cries the whole time. It is a loud shrieking cry and most of the time she will shake really bad too. It stops for a few minutes when she will stick her head out the window, but she is really stressed in the car. She is 2 years old and has been in the car regularly her whole life. This didn't start till she was about 8 months old but it keeps getting worse and worse. Please help it's unbearable to take her anywhere
2007-03-17 03:50:30 · 8 answers · asked by ○•○•Cassie•○•○ 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
There are a lot of natural dog calmatives available. I use
http://oxyfresh.com/pet/nutritionals.asp
There's also:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=2051&Ntt=relaxant&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
Use these in combination with short, fake "trips" back and forth in the car. At first, just hang out with her in the car and don't ask her to do anything. If she is too stressed to handle this (she will yawn, sniff the ground, and not take treats) then you need to slow down and maybe hang out with her next to the car. She will tell you when she's ready for the next stage - don't ever push her to do anything more than she's ready for when you're working through a fear issue. I've linked below to some more sites for info - good luck.
2007-03-17 04:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by Misa M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The howling can indicate simple displeasure. However the shaking is a sign of anxiety. Some dogs simply develop an aversion to riding in cars.
For whatever reason she has developed a dislike for riding in cars. Knowing this, don't take her unless you absolutely have to. Why put an animal through this type of stress? It is obviously not fun for her and is also causing you stress with her constant howling. She is also a distraction for good, attentive driving.
Since you do take her with you, have you tried having a person in the back seat with her? Someone to keep her company and comfort her? Please tell me she doesn't ride in the front seat. Not a good idea with her stress.
The only other thing you can do is ask your vet for a VERY mild tranquilizer for travel purposes. Try giving her a tranquilizer and see how she does in a car. If she appears mild, over a period of time, lessen the dosage by minute amounts till she receives none...or substitute the tranquilizer for a vitamin after a period of time. Subliminal conditioning.....dogs receives pill...feels happy and relaxed. After you start weaning off the tranq, let her think her "happy" pill is still coming via a vitamin. Eventually you may be able to even stop all pills.
Best of luck to you. I know how frustrating this is.
2007-03-17 11:13:20 · answer #2 · answered by meg_an_728 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never had that problem with my dogs they love car rides, but I would call your vet and see whats going on, and just don't take her anywhere for a while. maybe put her in your car and hold her and tell her everything is going to be okay. until she gets use of it. again. something must of happen in between 2 to 8 good luck.
2007-03-17 11:00:49 · answer #3 · answered by misty blue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog does this too, but i've found that if i give her a blanket and get someone to sit in the back with her she calms down a bit.
i don't know what causes it, because my dog didn't always do this either, but just like a human, a hug will calm her down
Good Luck
:-)
2007-03-17 10:59:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they make a drug for this...however i'm sure thats not the way u want to go....i would corrert her when she whines...with a leash on her and give a firm tug and tell her NO...u could do this before u start driving or if u have someless driving for u. our one dog did this as a pup but i fixed it pretty fast as i use to take them everywhere with me.
And u said it started at 8 mos...did something happen in the car to make it just start out of the blue...or was that first time u started to take her places....
2007-03-17 10:58:05 · answer #5 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it a new car? I find that our dogs are bothered by our car that sits lower to the ground. More road noise etc. The other car, they are perfectly fine in, and not a problem.
Maybe she is feeling car sick. It can start suddenly.
2007-03-17 10:53:34 · answer #6 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start feeding her treats and even her meals inside the car, leaving all the door open.
2007-03-17 10:58:46 · answer #7 · answered by Sparky5115 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
try and give her a antihistome like benedryl or something to calm her maybe even something for anxitiety and see how that works
snookie
2007-03-20 23:53:32 · answer #8 · answered by princess_112387 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋