My 14 week old black lab, Buddy is absolutely pertrified of the car to the point that he won't come to me at the end of a walk. I've tried to pre-empt this by picking him up before we get there but now he's getting wise to this too. He howls in the car and gets sick. I'm keeping journeys short and have started giving his dinner in the car at home and then taking him out straight away. He's so nervous in there that he doesn't want to eat! Worried that the socialisation period is closing and we seem to have a phobia! Please help! Thanks I need advance!
Does he ride in a crate? If not get a crate and trying covering the top and sides with a blanket. Maybe that will make him feel more secure. Also don't feed him prior to the car ride.
Hi @Gail Hart Welcome to the forum. I suspect he has been car sick and is now classically conditioned to fear the car because of the way it makes him feel. You will need to desensitise him to the car. Approach the car on lead but only go so far that your puppy is still confident and not fearful. Suppose the distance is x metres. If so, give a treat. Session over. Next sessions, an hour later say. Approach the car. If you can get X - 0.5 metres and he is still confident give a treat. Session over. You have to gradually approach the car by small increments. Note it may not be linear. One session you may only get x + 2 metres before you see signs of anxiety.It is crucial you keep him calm. So over the sessions. approach the car. Then approach the car with door open. Session over. Next session,you look him look in the car. Session over. Next session. He steps one paw in the car. Session over. Keep approaching in increments When you finally get him in the car turn on motor for 5 seconds. Still calm?. Session over.. Then 10 seconds. Then 30 seconds. Drive one metre. Session over. Etc. It''s hard to write out a plan because you will need to determine what are the increments by watching his behaviour. You must keep him below threshold all the time. And always keep him calm. He has to learn that the car is a good object. Until you have desensitised him he should not be taken in the car. Any questions? Let us know how it works.
Welcome to the forum Gail, good luck with your training - it might also be worth talking to your vet about some motion sickness medication once you get to the point of travelling again, especially for longer journeys
Thank you, huge progress already; he's now jumping up to boot handle to retrieve a treat and walking around the car and approaching it without hesitation. Next question, will he damage his joints by jumping into the boot? So far I've been lifting him in and out but think he'd be happier to jump in and out himself. After all that research into hip and elbow scores I don't want him damaged now! He's 15 weeks. Thank you again!
Hi @Gail Hart Good to hear the progress. Just take it slowly. Let the dog determine the pace. Dogs less than one year of age should not do any jumping. I imagine you don't have a bitumen hugging sports car. So no, I would not let him. Better to practise risk-averse behaviours. ( I still carry my 9 year old out of the back of our station wagon). You can buy a fold-up ramp, or pick your dog up. If the latter don't dig your hands into his flank. Lift more like a fork lift, dog's body at your elbow joint, curling your arms upwards so he can't wriggle free. Consequently, you are doing the lifting with your forearms (and bent knees). If not clear, ask your vet to show you how to lift a dog--he will get heavy very quickly.
