Car shy Doggy

ken n gloria · Member

Car shy Doggy

ChiChi1 · Guru

My dog gets upset when she is not getting sufficient air. Fresh or Airconditioning. Doesn't seem to be a temperature issue. Also when she wants to go to the loo.

Sheba · Guru

Where do you usually have her in the car ?

Cheers,

Sheba.

gubby · Guru

Go to your vet, they have tablets to give the dog so it relaxes in the car...

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi - it is most likely anxiety but it could be triggered by something like car sickness or perhaps as Sheba is maybe suggesting being in a spot where she is not comfortable. As Chi Chi said it could be a simple as having a window down for her - a lot of dogs don't likeaircon and need a window open a little bit.

The shaking is definitely anxiety. At what exact point does it happen - ie before she is put in the car or when the door shuts, or as the engine is started or when the car moves - it's important to note that. You may then be able to identify exactly what upsets her so much and change it.

i have a neurotic dog who was very anxious in the car but hates being left behind so she had to find a way of come to terms with that. She definitely does not like being in the front seat and is much more relaxed in the back. She's not too bad now after a few years.

Normally Silkys love car travel.

If all else fails there is medication. Talk to your vet. If you put her on tranqs short term and take her for lots of drives she will learn to be relaxed in the car eventually and then you can stop the tranqs.

There is certainly no need to give up travel.
Cheers
Ellen

ChiChi1 · Guru

Persevere don't give up travelling. As Elle said, if all else fails medication although only as a last resort. Molly only likes to go fast, the minute I slow down to go through a town she starts barking. I have learned to turn off and ignore it. lol. She sits on the front passenger seat with the air vent on her and she is fine. Dogs can be a real PITA when travelling, but we just can't leave them behind.

ken n gloria · Member

Thanks for the replies,Chloe starts to shake as soon as the engine starts, it does not matter wether it is in the back seat or front, the windows are open for fresh air. she loves to go for walks and actually runs to the car and waits for the door to be opened. we have been taking her short drives to try and acclimatise her,we will certainly try medication and hope for the best.

Cheers Ken.

Boroma577 · Guru

Ken, you need a desensitizing programme for her. This is a long term programme so dont expect results too soon.

Start off by getting her used to just sitting in the car..do this for short times, 5 mins here and there and build up to an hour or more at a timeno motor running.

From there you can start the car with her in it, talking to her with a calming voice but NOT cuddling her up as this is rewarding bad behaviour. Do not leave the engine run for more than a minute to start with.

Pop here into a car of someone who comes to visit for a minute before they turn the engine off..get her used to the car not moving but the engine running. Do this many, many times until she appears comfortable with it. You can sit in the car with her and remember to keep reassuring her with a calming voice.tell her she is a good girl.

Eventually increase the length of time she is in the car with the motor running.

From there you can move the car forwards and backwards in the driveway only and then eventually around the blockBABY steps all the way with lots of verbal reassurance.

Cheers B

Sheba · Guru

The reason I asked about where the dog was in the car, is because my sister had a similar problem a couple of years ago. Turned out the dog was getting Vibrations from the motor through the Pads of her feet. Shoes fixed that problem. It might not be the reason for yours, but some-one else might profit from it.

Cheers,

Sheba.

ken n gloria · Member

Thanks again for the advice,looks like we have a long way to go but Chloe is worth every minute it takes.

Cheers Ken.

Happywanderer · The Master

I love silky terrriers, and can understand why you took her in.
I was going to suggest what Boroma has, I saw Dr Harry explaining it on TV one day. She is suffering anxiety, something has frightened her and you don't know what happened in her life before you got her. Keep perservering, a bit at a time and she will come right.
Don't stop your travels, work with her.
Also perhaps sitting up on a pillow so she can see out the window might help.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi

Baroma's advice about desensitising is the the way to go but it is a matter of identifying the trigger and it sounds as if the engine starting is the problem as you have said she actually runs to the car when the door is open. I would try starting the engine while Chloe is still in the house and then seeing if she will run to the car and jump in as per usual. If this is the case then you have identified the trigger and have a "Plan B" up your sleeve.

If it is the engine starting up that is the trigger then you will need to desensitise her and still reinforce the car as a nice place to be and the deliverer of big rewards. Other people might have better advice but I would suggest a program of having the engine running at both ends of the outing - ie leaving home and destination- before putting her in the car, for 9 times out of ten and then gradually decreasing that ratio. During this time give her a treat after she has jumped into the car. If you have the time make these outings fairly often as in everyday as she will benefit from the intensive attention and training and the rapport and trust betwqeen you will be really strongly built up.

When you are decreasing the occasions you have the engine running before she hops in, I would suggest doing this on the return trip home so she knows she will be going to a familiar place at the end of the trip. As Baroma says, give her big pats before you start the engine but do not comfort her as she freaks out when the ignition is started.

Hopefully this will desensitise her within a short time if you are able to do it daily.

ken n gloria · Member

We can,t thank you enough for all the advice we are getting,we shall work on finding the trigger then start desensitising Chloe as the sedative option is one we will keep as the very last option. once again thank you all.
Cheers Ken & Gloria.

Boroma577 · Guru

ken n gloria wrote:
We can,t thank you enough for all the advice we are getting,we shall work on finding the trigger then start desensitising Chloe as the sedative option is one we will keep as the very last option. once again thank you all.
Cheers Ken & Gloria.

Good luck Ken & Gloria and please keep us up to date on Chloe's progress.

BTW, I also have a Chloe.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hey Baroma who is the gorgeous dog in the pic

Boroma577 · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
Hey Baroma who is the gorgeous dog in the pic

I'd like to say mine.....but I'd be lying Elle. It is a beautiful pic and quote that I received on FB and stole it for the message it gives.

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Our dogs travel behind the cargo barrier- nice and safe. But, if Paddy can't see out he gets car sick and vomits- so 5 inches of foam cut to size lifts them up anough to see out. They also travel in their bucket beds on long trips, keeps them settled and secure.

We also found the air thing is very improtant, and can fold down the rear seats to let the air flow better, but in the old car we had a small fan fitted to the cargo barrier.

Like chi-chi, our dogs only like going fast, and sit up when we go slow, bark when we stop................ got to do more training.

I would like to pass on one tip I found extremly useful- NEVER pat, pet, pick up or reward nervous behaviour/anxiety. Don't sook them, nurse them or speak sweetly etc. The dog takes it as a reward for the anxiety and it compounds the problem. I used this for one of mine who was afraid of storms and lightening. Instead of picking him up and " protecting" and "re-assuring" him, I called him to me, or his bed (where he felt safe), told him to sit and stay, and did not allow his pacing, hiding or crying. As soon as he knew what I wanted, and that I (boss) would make sure he was safe, he was ok. .... although it took a while.

We wish you luck with your dog, Ken & Barbara.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hey Ken and Barbara are there any updates - how's Chloe going?

ken n gloria · Member

Not so good at the moment i'im afraid, we have tried some of the suggestions on the forum but so far no go, we even tried putting one of her favourite treats on the seat before we put her in the car so she can find it on her own, no luck.We do not want to tranquilise her unless we are going on a longish trip so we will keep perservering with the other suggestions for now.Many thanks for the thoughts.

Cheers Ken & Gloria.

Boroma577 · Guru

ken n gloria wrote:
Not so good at the moment i'im afraid, we have tried some of the suggestions on the forum but so far no go, we even tried putting one of her favourite treats on the seat before we put her in the car so she can find it on her own, no luck.We do not want to tranquilise her unless we are going on a longish trip so we will keep perservering with the other suggestions for now.Many thanks for the thoughts.
Cheers Ken & Gloria.

Desensitisation is a long process Ken & Gloria....don't expect to see any real visible results for a while.

I used this same process for one of my girls who was afraid of fireworks; the end result is very positive and she is no longer a quivering mess when she hears them.

I never rewarded her for her anxiety, this is very important.

Desensitisation does work BUT you have to be patient and consistent.

Cheers B

-- Edited by Boroma577 on Tuesday 8th of November 2011 05:40:12 PM

animalcarer · Senior Member

Hi Ken and Gloria

Just cruising in and seeing how your little mate is

ken n gloria · Member

Have just come back from a short drive to local park for walkies!!! , Chloe loved the walk but still not keen on the car but we did have her looking out of the window and her panting was still the same but her shivering did not seem quite so bad so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Cheers Ken & Gloria.

animalcarer · Senior Member

Hi ken and gloria

Have you heard about thunder jackets for dogs. Apparently it is a little coat that goes on the dog, and it is designed as such to pressure comfort.
Some of them have magnets in them. They are designed for dogs afraid of situations. e.g. storms, thunder, lightning, fireworks, loud noises, or disturbing noises.
Suggest you google thunder jackets for dogs. maybe you might be able to make one up yourself. Howard and I are thinking of doing this at some stage. But I dont know whether I told you we plan to go to indonesia and get the village people we know to make them up. Just a thought.
Its a weird world huh, always something new.

Charming · Member

Hi Ken & Gloria, I have the same thing with my beautiful eleven year old Silky Terrier, She has always been this way. It wasn't such a problem Until recently when I started traveling with her full time.

I had a normal sedan before, but not have a Hi Ace camper, she is now sitting up higher, so she can see more. This helps a little, but sometimes the shaking goes on for half hour or so, then it stops. If she can see out when we are riding in the car , it takes her mind off it,and she seems to cope better.

If I have a long day, sometimes I give her calming tabs, but only around 1/4 of what the vet suggests, as she is a small silky and doesn't need much. I have to see her dazed.

I have thought about leaving her in a stable home , so she can enjoy life, but I love her so much, and everyone says that she would rather be with me. I know it is probably selfish, but we have been together all her life.

I don't do as many kms per day as I used to, I also do lots of stops, after all it isn't really her choice to travel.

Probably not much help, maybe it's a Silky Thing. All the best Charming

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi Charming - are you on the road full time?

I will be setting off soon with a Portuguese Water dog, Pedro who is pictured , and a quite neurotic Belgian shepherd. She used to hate car travel but is much better because she realises she is missing out if she gets behind.

It sounds like you have been doing great with your Silky. They are beautiful dogs. Sometimes it's really hard to know but I do think yours is better off with you..... it sounds like you have made a very thoughtful and considered decision.

Hey Ken and Gloria it sounds like your little one is improving incrementally. It does take time. You are the best carers for her and if you decide to travel then she will adjust. You do have the range of options and as Charming said a small dose of meds on occasion might make things easier.

cheers

ken n gloria · Member

Hello Charming and Elle,We have just taken Chloe for a short ride to the shops (about 3mins. each way) Gloria stayed in the car with Chloe while i did the shopping(about 5 mins.) then we drove back home again and guess what, no shaking and no panting, so there is a little glimmer of hope, and she didn't want to get out of the car ( Chloe, not Gloria ) when we got home. Charming, all info and input is a help and we thank you both.

Many Happy Trips Ken & Gloria.

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Great.
Reward the behaviour that you want............ nice piece of chicken for Chloe, and nice cup of tea for Gloria!

Well done
Rosie

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Rip and Rosie wrote:
Great.
Reward the behaviour that you want............ nice piece of chicken for Chloe, and nice cup of tea for Gloria!

Well done
Rosie

Nice gin and tonic for Gloria more likely.........unless you are a teetottler - oops

Boroma577 · Guru

Ken, sounds like you might be starting to win the battle...CONGRATULATIONS and Big HUGS to Chloe

Elle on Wheels · Guru

This is fantastic progress - it really does sound like you are winning the battle and I think this is a real breakthrough. Perhaps a series of short trips are the solution. Just make sure you continue to not reward the stress behaviour as the others said. I think it will be smooth sailing from here on. Congrats.