Car Ride Phobia

[PepperSnycart]

Anybody have any suggestions for my pup hating car rides?

As soon as we put her in the car (passenger seat for now), she gets this subdued look on her face, grips the chair, and seems quietly stressed. She'll make half-hearted attempts to sit on the driver's lap, but will stay put with gentle restriction.

I'm guessing it would be best to get a small crate for the car so that she feels more comfortable and less scared. I bet the movement of the car in a wide-open space like the seat isn't very secure feeling.

Any thoughts?

[Christie M]

I'm guessing it would be best to get a small crate for the car so that she feels more comfortable and less scared. I bet the movement of the car in a wide-open space like the seat isn't very secure feeling.

Any thoughts?

The crates a good idea to get her used to. Not only will it make her feel more secure, but it will also keep her out of trouble and from killing you both when she is more comfortable. You can make a special stuffed kong to put in her crate in the car to make positive associations and distract her. But mostly, lots of rides that lead to fun activities should get her out of it quick!

I should post this in the intro section...but that's just too many messages. LOL. So where did you get her from. Her age is consistent with the litter CherCar Kennels had on the ground.

[PepperSnycart]

Yup, she's from CherCar. We went to "look" and chat about the breed. But of course we left with a puppy and went straight to the pet store for supplies (we had nothing!). Haha. Although we had been discussing it for about a year now, we were still spontaneous!

[vneerland]

For car rides, I would just swing around the block so to speak. (my block is huge, though, but that is another story) Vent on high, air blowing straight on the pup helps a lot. Drive with gradual stops, and gradual acceleration (I still do that for all my dogs regardless of age, actually) Reward getting in the car (treat) and again when you arrive back home and allow her to get out. I have seen many pups that just get a bit sick. (tight mouth, drool, etc) but easy always does it, if you're patient.

[GSDNanny]

Never had that problem. My guys all fight to go in the truck. They actually will press up hard against the door to outside when they know I am leaving. Like pick me, pick me, PLEEEEEASE pick me! But again when we ride, we go through McDonalds or whatever and get chicken nuggets or meat pattie as a treat or end up at my farm or some place fun so they relate that as a good experience.

My mom's old dog only goes in her car to go to the vet's so she freaks when she gets near the car. Bad association.

Story about that here....years ago a friend and I would take our GSDs to a local private lake for a play day every week for over a year. We took my van. Well she moved away for three years and moved back. When her GSD saw my van again when they moved back, he went nuts trying to get in because he related my van with those play days.

[PepperSnycart]

Update on the car ride front... Our ride today was the best yet! Fed her some kibble on the floor of the passenger seat which kept her occupied for 5min or so. She could have cared less about the pig's ear, chew toy, kong, etc that I had also brought for a distration.

I had her sit on the passenger seat itself, in her bed, and she laid down and relaxed. Once in awhile she's whine and half-heartedly attempt to sit in my lap (I was the driver), but she settled back down when she realized that wasn't allowed. Improvement!

I will continue to bring her to happy places often so that the car = fun place on the other side!!

[Marjolein]

I will continue to bring her to happy places often so that the car = fun place on the other side!!

That's the way

[Dutchringgirl]

way to go !

[k9katet]

Great job! I would still put her in a crate or seat belt to keep her safe.

[Choochi]

I would put her in a crate too. It can help her feel more secure, it's a good habit to get used to, and it will keep her safe in case of an accident.

She might just need some time to get used to the motions and sounds. Keep the trips short for now, easy driving, to fun places or not, doesn't really matter as long as she's getting repeat exposure and things are not getting worse.