Help insane baking in the car...

Bailey0816 · 08-30-2007, 12:18 AM

She is a rescue dog and her healing is unprecedented in so many ways...but the car!!!!! Her triggers are so arbitary. I even tried to keep a log, but to no avail. She barks as if our lives are threatened at the most inane people and things. Sometimes it's men in hats, sometimes not, sometimes bright clothing, sometimes not. You get the picture... I would not even mind but it's so primal ad intense it honestly hurts my ears, They will ring. Any advice ah?

She is a rescue dog and her healing is unprecedented in so many ways...but the car!!!!! Her triggers are so arbitary. I even tried to keep a log, but to no avail. She barks as if our lives are threatened at the most inane people and things. Sometimes it's men in hats, sometimes not, sometimes bright clothing, sometimes not. You get the picture... I would not even mind but it's so primal ad intense it honestly hurts my ears, They will ring. Any advice ah?

Why Will Noone Respond????

I am posting incorrectly...

Jen D · 08-30-2007, 09:10 AM

Rescue are sometimes hard to deal with if you don't know past history. What breed is she or any idea on the mix and how old is she? What do you do now to try to correct her?

I would start by just putting her in the car with it off and praise her for being quiet when she is, leaving the car door open. I then would start it with the door closed and do the same, continue slowly and if she starts barking start again from the beginning. Then just move the car in the driveway back and forth, this could take months.

TooneyDogs · 08-30-2007, 10:12 AM

She should be in a crate. That way, she cannot see the distractions and it is a much safer way to travel, for both of you.

Val · 08-30-2007, 10:34 AM

I don't have this problem with my dog but I have seen dogs that have this problem and often wondered how the drivers can even concentrate on anything. The way to work on it that Jen D describes sounds dead on to me. Also, I think she's right about the rescues. I have one that has her own set of problems that I'm working on but man! what a great dog she'll be when she comes around. Don't give up and try to take things slow.

Val

Dutchie · 08-31-2007, 02:38 PM

hmmm... well I just went through car anxiety with my 5 mo. old GSD she would get really worked up in the car and even get sick after 20 mins., but also barked at everything and couldn't relax. I used ginger for the sickness and took her for short rides and progressed to longer ones. I also used bennadryl 25mg gel capsules-dye free (those are just my preference) or the liquid to calm her so she wasn't so on edge in the car. (Bennadryl or the generic store brand has the same medicine as over the counter sleep aids such as Simply Sleep.) I dosed about 1 mg per pound i think about 30 mins before a longer ride. She only needed this twice and now shes fine in the car and even the sickness stopped. I would also reinforce good behavior with treats and praise. (I talk to my dog all the time in the car) I also use "leave it" if she feels she needs to be a tough girl in front of a person walking down the street. Hope it helps! Also, do you think she's barking because she's nervous/scared or protective of you and what she may think is "her car".

Curbside Prophet · 09-01-2007, 12:12 AM

You may also want to try a Calming_Cap.

RonE · 09-03-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey0816

Why Will Noone Respond????

Sometimes it take more than two hours, especially at night, to get a life-altering solution to a problem.

FriendsOfZoe · 09-03-2007, 11:35 AM

If you can't fit a crate in your car, try a doggie seat belt type restraint. Not only is it an important tool for keep your dog safe, but it will restrain him, keeping you safe and possibly limiting how much he can view. It may take him awhile to get used to the harness, so I'd stick with short trips until he's used to it. Also, make sure he's well exercised before you get in the car--a nice walk or game of fetch before leaving may help him to learn to just lay down and sleep in the car. Finally, make sure he's cool enough in there. In the back seat (where I assume he is, and should be), the A/C doesn't always cool as quickly, so try going back there yourself after your car has been on awhile and make sure that it's not too hot.