Dog Fear of Cars
 

Ok... I could use some advice, assistance, suggestions....

When Reggie was little he wasn't afraid of anything. We could take him anywhere in the car and he would sleep most of the time. I take him to work with me 1 or 2 times a week. About 3 weeks ago, we got in the car after work and it was hot so I put the electric windows down and Reggie started shaking.

Ever since then, he's nervous almost every time we get in the car to go somewhere, but then he calms down. When I take him to work, same thing... nervous at first but then he calms down. When I leave work, he starts shaking before we even leave the office and then he shakes and sits up and lays down all the way home.

HELP! What can I do? I don't want to quit taking him places. We bought him a doggy car seat which at least keeps him from moving around the car and he seems to like the seat because he enjoys looking out of the windows sometimes.:animal36

Anyone with any suggestions?
 

Anyone have any ideas?

Maybe he's not nervous....Brownie shakes sometimes too, when she's really excited.....

Oh my gosh...the EXACT same thing happened to me! Hobbs used to LOVE going anywhere and everywhere in the car! Now he shakes everytime we get in the car to go somewhere like he's freaking out or something! But, he still seems to enjoy "going bye bye" so I still take him. The only thing about our stories that is similar is that Hobbs started freaking out one day after we got into the car and it was REALLY hot! Maybe they're scared of getting too hot or something :confused: I wish someone could offer any suggestions as to how we could get our little ones over this fear. :(

I always have Cali in her carrier, now her Celltei bag, in the car so she can't see out and she just settles down and sleeps or has her head resting on the opening of the bag. I think she likes feeling secure in there. Even when I take her to Petsmart if I take her out of her bag she starts shaking.

When I travel with mine I put them in a carrier. Remmy hates riding in the car...he whines the whole time...even if we are not moving. Chance is quite I don't even know he is in the car he is so quite. I think Remmy feels safer riding in a carrier instead of a carseat.

I have tried putting Hobbs in his crate/carrier while we are riding in the car, but all he does is whine and bark the whole time to get out! Ugh....maybe I'll just start MAKING him ride in his carrier so he can get used to it. I know it is MUCH safer and maybe that will help him get over his fear. Plus, now that I have TWO yorkies, it would be hard to travel with them both running and jumping around the car. So, maybe it is time to train BOTH of them to ride in the carrier. :thumbup:

Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone! Like usual, :yorkietal

Jake has no problems in the car but I have a suggestion...

Try going in and out of the car with your dog when you dont plan on going out.

Run the AC in the car for a few mins before getting in (as you mentioned that the car was really hot when this behavior started) and then just have a romp about the back seat with your doggie.

Just a 1 min game and then take him out again.

Keep on doing this ... every hour or so.

Might help ... Might traumatize him for live :secret:

I'm the same as Patti - Oscar likes to be in his carrier bag while we're in the car, I just put it in the back seat and leave the side flap open so he can just lay down and snooze. It's like his security blanket. He gets nervous and shakes for the first few minutes we're in the car - maybe it's the fear of the unknown - not knowing exactly where he's going.

(I haven't invested in a car seat because I don't own a car - we only go in a car on weekends when my bf drives our sorry butts around town).

Anxiety in the car
 

My Bella used to ride in the car from LA to Arizona without any issues. One time she got anxious and started to pant and shiver. It has gotten so bad over the years her vet has given her anti anxiety medication. I dislike giving her meds but her panting and shaking get so violent that I fear she is having a total break down. I only take her in the car now when its absolutely necessary.

My problem now is I am retiring to Virginia and will be driving there from California. The idea of giving her tranquilizers for 2000 plus miles horrifies me.
I have tried homeopathic sedatives, thunder shirts, car seats, pouches, and carriers of every type and style to no avail. I've given thought to flying however the airlines require her to be in some kind of carrier but that causes her anxiety to soar.

I need help/ideas or suggestion ASAP since I only have 6 weeks to get her ready. She is 13 years old so I hope Old Dogs CAN be taught new tricks.
:aimeeyork:animal-pa:yorkietal

I had a similar situation with my Shih Tzu pup that recently passed. I think he associated the car with the vets office, so that was my fault. From an early age he had problem eyes and used to get drops when infected. This one time he had a really bad infection and needed the drops 4 x's a day. My kids were in college and we had to drive out to Ohio for something my son was doing. That was an 8 hour drive each way. My choice was to find a sitter (never easy) or bring him with me, knowing he wouldn't love the drive. My husband drove and for the 1st hour he shook but I had him on my lap, but both of us were harnessed. We stopped after a few hours for human and canine potty breaks. I got him a burger (aka bribe) and we got back on the road. He was fine by that time. We didn't baby him or act like it was any big deal. He was a rock star at the school, lol. The ride home was a breeze and he was fine for the rest of his life. He was probably about 8 when that all happened. Good luck. I am sure someone will have a great idea for you to try! I'm learning all kinds of great things here..In fact my dogs had a home cooked dinner tonight from a recipe I found on here.