|
Post by Courtney on Jun 28, 2008 10:43:37 GMT -5
This is actually about my Dobie, not the pits, so if it needs to be in a different forum Mary, please advise.
My 8-yr old Dobie is extremely well behaved in all situations except for car rides.
Before we rescued her (about a year ago) she was rarely taken for car rides, and was mostly left inside, at home. We like to take our dogs to lots of places, so car rides are plentiful. The problem is that she just won't calm down! As soon as she sees a car, she will try to jump in, regardless of whether the correct door is open or if she's on a leash, etc. Then once she's in the car, she will not stop panting, pacing, jumping around. This will go on for more than an hour...sometimes longer if we're going on a road trip.
Right now we have the 2 pups in crates, and the 2 adults loose in the truck. Ideally Josie (the dobie) should probably be in a crate also, but there's no way we can fit 3 big crates in our truck (and it's a big truck!).
Any advice? If possible I'd like to avoid sedatives, but I am open to "natural" remedies.
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by maryellen on Jun 28, 2008 13:33:08 GMT -5
you can buy a seat belt for dogs and belt her in to start.
|
|
|
Post by Courtney on Jun 29, 2008 22:07:41 GMT -5
I will definitely look into seatbelts, but I'm not sure how a highly anxious dog would react to being strapped into something. Seems like it would stress her out more...
|
|
|
Post by RealPitBull on Jun 30, 2008 6:06:05 GMT -5
You need to do work on desensitization. Basically, what that means is to expose her to low levels of the thing she finds scary, and gradually increase the exposure as she shows she can handle it. So, at first, that might mean having her hop in the car, and then hop out when she's calm. Over and over. You can even give her a treat when she's in the car. Once she's able to handle being in the car, stationary, for a few minutes, start massage her and helping her relax. Then, when she's relaxed, let her out of the car. Make car = fun, relaxed time. As you move along, eventually, you'd turn the car on, but not go anywhere. If she's calm, take her out. Then you'd move to pulling in and out of the driveway, and so on. Little steps, and let her out of the car when she's relaxed (the key is don't rush her and push her to a point where she'd have to get stressed).
There are lots of stress-relieving remedies - try Rescue Remedy, or DAP spray.
Also, figure out a way to help her be more secure in the car. Dogs are often left to fend for themselves in cars, flying this way and that, with no security of a seat belt or crate restraint. It's very unnerving to some dogs. Not to mention unsafe.
|
|