Advice? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

JessicaRenee · 01-28-2008, 05:48 AM

Tucker is terrified of riding in the car! Does anyone have any ideas? It is necessary to take him places from time to time and it hurts me to see how scared he is! I've tried everything I can think of. Last time I actually put his crate in the car because he usually feels so safe in there, but he still shook like a leaf for the entire 55 minute one way trip to my parents house. I've also taken him on shorter trips to fun places, hoping that he'd warm up to the idea of the car, but he he still hates it.

This may be a big no-no, but I've not heard anyone say - has anyone tried those sprays or pills that are supposed to be calming to dogs? I've seen them advertised on several pet sites and in pet magazines I get in the mail. I haven't tried any yet because I was afraid it would hurt him or that I'd be wasting my money because they didn't do anything, so I wanted to hear everyone's advice first. One kind even comes in a "plug-in" type, releasing the calming scent into the air.

I'm up for any suggestions. I thought he'd grow out of it, but after 4 months of traveling I don't think he's going to get used to it.

marcerella02 · 01-28-2008, 05:59 AM

i've read that you should do this gradually... Maybe monday you guys just take a little walk around the car... praise praise praise

then Tuesday you open the car door and sit on the seat with him and praise. or bring his favorite toy or treat... but staying very calm ... don't raise your voice even in excitement.. the car is not a big deal so try not to make a big deal out of it.... Wednesday maybe you guys sit in the car while it is running with the doors closed and radio on.... Thursday.. you pull out of the driveway and back up it a few times... Friday you are able to go around the block... now i'm not saying these days will go like this.. you might need to repeat day 2, 3 or 4 times before he is ok with it... and maybe you can have a key word... like... car ride.... and every time he gets in he knows he gets his favorite toy and a treat... but remember he needs to be somewhere safe in the car like a car seat or crate.. so that might be a WHOLE other stage.. getting him used to the car seat before it is even in the car... anyways.. this is just what i read in a magazine

take it slow... some dogs NEVER get there.. you might want to try something called Rescue Remedy.. you can get it in petsmart.. it's a natural calming oil you put on their tongue.. might work better. Good Luck

Brookef18 · 01-28-2008, 07:21 AM

How old is your baby? Sadie is 15 weeks, and any thing new scares her. She shakes like a leaf too. I told the vet and he told me she needs to get out as much as possible. And it's cold out! He said bundle her up and get her out and into as many new exspiriance as possible. (Make sure you are not around dogs that haven't had all shots, don't put her on the pet smart floor!!!! Be smart about it) But the point is this is a stage where they are getting socialized. If they don't get out and exspiriance the world they won't get over the fright.

I put Sadie's dog bed in the car with a blanket. I click her harness into the seat belt and I talk calmly and she is getting used to it. She shakes a little but she settles in and falls asleep sometimes. I live 1 hour from a lot of the stores and stuff... There is nothing close!

hha · 01-28-2008, 08:09 AM

I read a long article online about this..they said to first just sit in the car with the dog without the car on, the next day start the car and sit there, then start out slowly by driving around the block, the gradually a little further..have treats in your pocket and give him treats when he sits there and is being good..they said also, when you start driving further, take him to fun places that he'll enjoy, like a park..good luck.

LuvmyYorkies2 · 01-28-2008, 08:16 AM

I agree with hha and marcerella...the gradual process....then maybe take shorter trips around the neighbor for maybe about 5 mins or so every day. My Diva loves when I grab the car keys and she's going...she'll run to the car and sit at the back door before I get there. Now she does start shaking as soon as I turn down the street to go the vet's office..

MIZBROWN · 01-28-2008, 08:22 AM

Your baby is only 15 wks old... He's scared and nervous, but he's got to get use to it... Meka did the same thing. Didnt matter if I held her or put her in her car seat, she still had the same reaction (shakes). Now, at 10 mo's she's finally use to the car and as long as she can see out of the window...shes a happy pup...

hha · 01-28-2008, 08:23 AM

I really don't think it's an age thing..I took Ginger at 11 weeks when I got her in the car, and she's never shaken at any age..

YorkieAunt · 01-28-2008, 08:29 AM

Tessa always shakes when she first get in the car. She settles down after awhile. I have tried her sitting on my lap but she then crawls up and behind my neck so I keep her in her carrier. She whines for about 10 mins then settles down. She is worse at night because of all the lights from passing cars. I think you just have to keep trying and take your baby with you whenever you can so she will get used to it.

Yorkiedaze · 01-28-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcerella02

i've read that you should do this gradually... Maybe monday you guys just take a little walk around the car... praise praise praise

then Tuesday you open the car door and sit on the seat with him and praise. or bring his favorite toy or treat... but staying very calm ... don't raise your voice even in excitement.. the car is not a big deal so try not to make a big deal out of it.... Wednesday maybe you guys sit in the car while it is running with the doors closed and radio on.... Thursday.. you pull out of the driveway and back up it a few times... Friday you are able to go around the block... now i'm not saying these days will go like this.. you might need to repeat day 2, 3 or 4 times before he is ok with it... and maybe you can have a key word... like... car ride.... and every time he gets in he knows he gets his favorite toy and a treat... but remember he needs to be somewhere safe in the car like a car seat or crate.. so that might be a WHOLE other stage.. getting him used to the car seat before it is even in the car... anyways.. this is just what i read in a magazine

take it slow... some dogs NEVER get there.. you might want to try something called Rescue Remedy.. you can get it in petsmart.. it's a natural calming oil you put on their tongue.. might work better. Good Luck

This is exactly what I was going to recommend. Marci, you totally surprise me by your wisdom being as young as you are.!!!

marcerella02 · 01-28-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

This is exactly what I was going to recommend. Marci, you totally surprise me by your wisdom being as young as you are.!!!

aw Thanks Donna

I do a lot of reading

Layla is scared with loud noises so we are trying the same type of thing with her... small noises gradualy working our way up!

Yorkiedaze · 01-28-2008, 11:19 AM

Most dogs, big and small are afraid of loud noises, but this can be corrected as well. It's all about "baby" steps and loving parents. Keep up all the reading Marci.

I'll be your parents are so proud of you.

01-28-2008, 05:48 AM	#1
JessicaRenee Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Williamsburg, KY Posts: 142	Advice? Tucker is terrified of riding in the car! Does anyone have any ideas? It is necessary to take him places from time to time and it hurts me to see how scared he is! I've tried everything I can think of. Last time I actually put his crate in the car because he usually feels so safe in there, but he still shook like a leaf for the entire 55 minute one way trip to my parents house. I've also taken him on shorter trips to fun places, hoping that he'd warm up to the idea of the car, but he he still hates it. This may be a big no-no, but I've not heard anyone say - has anyone tried those sprays or pills that are supposed to be calming to dogs? I've seen them advertised on several pet sites and in pet magazines I get in the mail. I haven't tried any yet because I was afraid it would hurt him or that I'd be wasting my money because they didn't do anything, so I wanted to hear everyone's advice first. One kind even comes in a "plug-in" type, releasing the calming scent into the air. I'm up for any suggestions. I thought he'd grow out of it, but after 4 months of traveling I don't think he's going to get used to it.

01-28-2008, 05:59 AM	#2
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	i've read that you should do this gradually... Maybe monday you guys just take a little walk around the car... praise praise praise then Tuesday you open the car door and sit on the seat with him and praise. or bring his favorite toy or treat... but staying very calm ... don't raise your voice even in excitement.. the car is not a big deal so try not to make a big deal out of it.... Wednesday maybe you guys sit in the car while it is running with the doors closed and radio on.... Thursday.. you pull out of the driveway and back up it a few times... Friday you are able to go around the block... now i'm not saying these days will go like this.. you might need to repeat day 2, 3 or 4 times before he is ok with it... and maybe you can have a key word... like... car ride.... and every time he gets in he knows he gets his favorite toy and a treat... but remember he needs to be somewhere safe in the car like a car seat or crate.. so that might be a WHOLE other stage.. getting him used to the car seat before it is even in the car... anyways.. this is just what i read in a magazine take it slow... some dogs NEVER get there.. you might want to try something called Rescue Remedy.. you can get it in petsmart.. it's a natural calming oil you put on their tongue.. might work better. Good Luck __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

01-28-2008, 07:21 AM	#3
Brookef18 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cape Cod Ma Posts: 1,855	How old is your baby? Sadie is 15 weeks, and any thing new scares her. She shakes like a leaf too. I told the vet and he told me she needs to get out as much as possible. And it's cold out! He said bundle her up and get her out and into as many new exspiriance as possible. (Make sure you are not around dogs that haven't had all shots, don't put her on the pet smart floor!!!! Be smart about it) But the point is this is a stage where they are getting socialized. If they don't get out and exspiriance the world they won't get over the fright. I put Sadie's dog bed in the car with a blanket. I click her harness into the seat belt and I talk calmly and she is getting used to it. She shakes a little but she settles in and falls asleep sometimes. I live 1 hour from a lot of the stores and stuff... There is nothing close! __________________ Brooke (Chewy's and Sadie's Mom) visit us on dogster dogster.com/dogs/700047

01-28-2008, 08:16 AM	#5
LuvmyYorkies2 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 1,739	I agree with hha and marcerella...the gradual process....then maybe take shorter trips around the neighbor for maybe about 5 mins or so every day. My Diva loves when I grab the car keys and she's going...she'll run to the car and sit at the back door before I get there. Now she does start shaking as soon as I turn down the street to go the vet's office.. __________________ Yolanda I Love My Girls Diva & Foxxy & Lexi

01-28-2008, 08:22 AM	#6
MIZBROWN Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Posts: 2,293	Your baby is only 15 wks old... He's scared and nervous, but he's got to get use to it... Meka did the same thing. Didnt matter if I held her or put her in her car seat, she still had the same reaction (shakes). Now, at 10 mo's she's finally use to the car and as long as she can see out of the window...shes a happy pup... __________________ Mommy to Meka "MeMe" Brown aka Meka the Diva Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club & CA Yorkies www.dogster.com/dogs/567943

01-28-2008, 08:09 AM	#4
hha No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC Posts: 2,837	I read a long article online about this..they said to first just sit in the car with the dog without the car on, the next day start the car and sit there, then start out slowly by driving around the block, the gradually a little further..have treats in your pocket and give him treats when he sits there and is being good..they said also, when you start driving further, take him to fun places that he'll enjoy, like a park..good luck.

01-28-2008, 08:23 AM	#7
hha No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC Posts: 2,837	I really don't think it's an age thing..I took Ginger at 11 weeks when I got her in the car, and she's never shaken at any age..

01-28-2008, 08:29 AM	#8
YorkieAunt Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cold Lake, Alberta Canada Posts: 622	Tessa always shakes when she first get in the car. She settles down after awhile. I have tried her sitting on my lap but she then crawls up and behind my neck so I keep her in her carrier. She whines for about 10 mins then settles down. She is worse at night because of all the lights from passing cars. I think you just have to keep trying and take your baby with you whenever you can so she will get used to it. __________________ Diana-Mommy to Tessa ,Harley ,Misty & Boca Post unto others as you would have others post unto you

01-28-2008, 11:19 AM	#11
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 12,228	Most dogs, big and small are afraid of loud noises, but this can be corrected as well. It's all about "baby" steps and loving parents. Keep up all the reading Marci. I'll be your parents are so proud of you.