Hi I would love some advice on travelling with our dog in the car. She very happily gets in the car but once it starts moving she whines, whinges, barks, yelps and pants - for the whole trip (up to 2 hours). Nellie is a 4 year old rescue labrador and is also reactive to dogs on leads and motor bikes, skateboards etc. We've had her for about 6 months and its not improving. We feel we've tried everything from food, toys, me sitting in the back seat to calm her, yelling, a crate (disaster). She's absolutely zoned out with anxiety and we can't get through to her. When the car stops at lights for example - she'll stop whinging - but as soon as it moves she starts again. She's never vomited so I don't think she's nauseous. We only ever go to fun places. We've had her in the back seat with her nose sticking between the two front bucket seats but this is very distracting and she still whinges. At the moment she's in the boot (hatchback) with a harness on. There's plenty of room and she has blankets, toys and sometimes a bone. She'll scoff this down but does it so hurriedly that I think she'll choke. I'd love some help. Thanks.
Hi , with reactive dogs, its a case of little and often so I would advise you put her into the car for a five mins ride only . Get her used to this , even just sitting in the car with the engine running but not moving , and gradually build it up . With a reactive dog, too much too quickly can add to the anxieties , just take it very slowly indeed and don't move from a short ( five mins ) car ride until she is more relaxed . Try not to make any fuss about it , if she senses your anxiety , she will become more anxious , so try to relax and make it all seem very normal , don't even speak to her as again , she will pick up on your tone, good luck
Hi and welcome to the forum. Some very good advice from Kate, and I think it is a case of back to basics and gradually build up time in the car. Perhaps even start with just sitting in the car for a few minutes and then getting out and gradually building with the engine running and then a short trip - literally to the end of your drive or road, a few minutes with lots of praise for being good and quiet. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Hi and welcome . I've had this problem from day 1 with my pup. After trying lots of things (just like you have), we realised that we always went to exciting places every time we went in the car. I started popping her in the car and would just drive around the block, or to the garage to put fuel in or to the shops. At first she still whined, yelped etc, but she soon realised that she wasn't going for a walk and she calmed down. We then started going to different walks, driving different ways each time, but still doing the local round trips, and have found that until we get really close to an off lead walk or to a friends house, she is a lot calmer in the car. It did take about 5 months, but persistence has paid off. Good luck
