We have a 8 year old yellow lab. She loves to go for her runs and truck rides. However she pants and drools excessively. When we go on vacation she pants for the entire drive and she does it so much she is completely soak and wet on her fur from panting. Does anyone know what we can try to get her to stop panting. She does not get sick to her stomach she just pants and drools. She is naturally a very hyper dog. We recently got her fixed and we were kinda hoping it might help settle her down a little bit. So far no. She is a very well behaved dog and loves learning new tricks etc... Is there any suggestions that we can try with her please!!!
Some dogs find travelling in a car hard - either in terms of anxiety or travel sickness making their stomach upset. So finding a solution would have to start with what you think is causing this - either of these could cause the panting and drooling. It seems from your post that you think it is anxiety that is causing this, but perhaps you could consult with your vet and see what he/she thinks. I know there are various remedies for car sickness and for anxiety, from more natural approaches to medications. I have only dealt with this when my dogs were puppies and they grew out of it, so I don't have much advice for you, but there will be others on the forum who can give you some ideas. And again, your vet might be able to give you some ideas.
Thanks Lisa, I did ask our vet she thought maybe it might be a little bit of both. She thought by changing her food would help but it didn't. I am new at owning her as she was my father inlaws dog. But we had her stay with us quite often and also lived with us for some time also. But now she has come to live with us permanently. So we are trying to teach her different things etc... Thank you for your advice!
I wonder if changing where in the vehicle she sits might help. So if she travels in a crate, then try a harness on the seat, or vice versa. I've no personal experience but my sister once adopted an adult dog who was like this and sitting her on the seat so she could see out of the window helped.
I've recently just got my first dog, a black lab puppy called Bella. She is a handful and it is a massive learning curve for me that can be very overwhelming and exhausting. When travelling in the car she goes in the boot and I have a cover and dog guard as well as an old towel to provide some extra comfort. She travels well but I was wondering what the best way to keep her comfortable on warmer days is. Is it better to have the windows open or air conditioning on? If windows, front or back? My car isn't particularly new so the air con isn't amazing but it does cool the car down. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Hi Clare, This is a tricky one. It can be surprisingly hot in the back of a car. I tend to use my air con when its hot, but have never tested the temp in the back. My journeys tend to be short ones, mainly, too and from a walk, but longer ones we keep a close eye on Lilly for panting and if she starts to breathe more rapidly we would stop and have a drink and stretch of the legs. We don't usually do longer journeys in the summer with the dog to be honest. There are fans, cooling mats, etc etc that can help. If you have a thermometer, you could check the temp in the back - that might help you decide. Even a simple one that does a min/max recording. jac
I used to open the drivers front window & the opposite back window (or vice versa) - that would set up a blast of air that blew around the boot and out through the driver window - hair everywhere, but looking in the mirror, Belle was enjoying the breeze. I don't have electric rear windows now so just opt for air conditioning - but it's not really been that hot.
Hi Jac, Thanks for the advice. I'm not planning on doing long journeys but as a new owner want to make sure I'm doing what's right. I might try a thermometer, could be intetesting. Thanks again Clare
I don't have electric rear windows either thanks for the advice, will give it a go. Although with the English weather being like it is we have probably had the warmer weather now! Haha!
