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Thread: car anxiety

  1. #1
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    car anxiety

    anyone have ideas for car anxiety? car on and no movement fine. car moves heavy panting, whining, whimpering, tail wagging, wont stay still whether in a crate or in a harness tethered or loose in back seat or in someones lap. can it be a form of separation anxiety even if only separated by a few feet?
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    House Broken
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    Perhaps a calming collar would work? calmingcollars.com

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    Since it’s only when the car is moving, might be motion sickness. I don’t know what you can give them for it, but you could ask your vet. Symptoms can be similar to anxiety (drooling, restlessness, etc).
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    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    I'm not sure it's separation anxiety, since it continues when sitting in someone's lap, and it is clearly an issue for many dogs who do not otherwise exhibit separation anxiety when their person leaves the house. There are all sorts of articles online for trying to get your dog accustomed to riding in a car typically including desensitization exercises first and medication if the exercises aren't successful. Is this Chili or a new dog you're considering?

    My daughter's dog had terrible anxiety when riding in a car. She'd stand up shaking and panting for an entire 6-8 hour car ride. They tried all the tricks trying to desensitize her to the car without improvement. A Thundershirt improved the situation although it didn't completely cure it, she still didn't lie down and go to sleep but she appeared much less panicky. They also tried acepromazine, a pill sedative, and that totally wiped her out. She is also terrified of thunder, fireworks, gunfire and cowers in a windowless closet at home during thunderstorms. She is now 9 1/2 years old and it's still a problem for them although if it was at a level 10 when she was young, it's down to about a 5-7 now without the Thundershirt or drugs.

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    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    Its Chili. I took him everywhere as a pup, no issues...thousands of miles including cross country, hotels, etc...one vacation I put him in a 2 week 24/7 training school, thought it would be great, had indoor pools and all that plus advertised training etc...in combination, around same time had flat tire in my truck and flat bed driver wouldnt allow chili in cab so he was alone in truck while getting towed...after those 2 events which happened same month chili hasnt been same in vehicles. I hired a behaviorist for about 10 hrs and she came back with you just need to crate him. My wife is planning another cross country trip and so I need to get chili ready. bought a thundershirt last night. chili isnt scared of anything except this. taken him to gun ranges, hunting, boating, fireworks, hot air balloons, airplanes...just doesnt make sense...could it be diet?
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    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    I just got back from the vet and they are now playing music from iCalmDog 3.0 it is sound therapy. They have music for different types of situations like in the car and separation anxiety.

    I haven't researched it yet but was thinking about getting it for Ginger she gets so upset in the car anymore that even just driving around town she can sometimes gets upset depending on her mood. She likes to go it is just getting there that is the problem I hope you can figure out what is going on and you are able to find a solution for Chili
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    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    after taking him to the drive thru brushless car wash yesterday in wifes new crossover....he fogged up all my windows due to happiness, excitement, panting inside the car wash...once the car was clean outside, had to clean the inside...and chili with his hot breath showed us where all his window slobbers were so we wouldnt miss a spot. I love my chili doggie. cant remember if I posted my good boy chili pic wanting to please me/play yet

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    Last edited by voodoo; 02-21-2017 at 05:48 PM.
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    Best Friend Retriever soberbyker's Avatar
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    Zeke gets excited in the mornings knowing he's going to go to the park and play ball. He lives for it. Follows me around the house in a lets get going kind of way. Once in the car he firmly plants his head on my should and moans in my ear. The ride home he's tuckered out and quiet. Other times of day he's fine, just in the morning in anticipation of his morning workout.


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    I'd start crating him and going for short rides, like you did when you socialized him as a puppy. When I have a young puppy and they are anxious about the car, I sometimes give a ginger snap cookie (make sure the brand you buy doesn't have xylitol) when they go in their crate. Also, I don't make a big fuss out of anything that happens, don't reward barking, whining. Take short rides to fun places, go to the drive thru and get him a plain hamburger, stuff like that which will equate car rides with good things happening.

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  17. #10
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dxboon View Post
    Take short rides to fun places, go to the drive thru and get him a plain hamburger, stuff like that which will equate car rides with good things happening.
    Yes, my 2 snap to attention when we pull into a McDonald's parking lot- they know a plain cheeseburger is coming their way and Mom, please notice we're waiting patiently and stop eating those fries! I've never gotten them a puppucino from Starbucks but one recently opened near me that has a drive thru so one day soon we'll need to check it out. I try to take mine often on short, pleasant rides, even if we don't actually go anywhere, just drive through the neighborhood or take a deposit to the bank or something that doesn't involve shots or blood draws.

    Since Chili was good with car rides when he was younger, hopefully he'll get back to his happier carefree car-ridin' days.

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