daisyandme Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 Daisy is almost 9 months old now and I would like to see if Daisy is interested in working stock, but we have an obstacle in our way...the car. She is fine on short rides 20 min or so, but after that things go down hill. I have been searching for a stock dog trainer extremely local, thinking that going to lessons might help me turn the car into a positive experience. We have been going to basic obedience classes and the trainer has suggested for example driving to get a vanilla ice cream or some other high value treat and driving right back home. Eventually turning the car into something she enjoys. My dad keeps saying that I just have to keep getting her into the car...but I think forcing her is making it worse as now she is responding to the sound of the car keys... I am not sure if the situation is bad enough that she needs medication for the car rides or not?????...it makes me so sad to see how stressed she gets. Anyway, some problem solving thoughts would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 What exactly happens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyandme Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 What exactly happens? Well, when she hears the car keys she runs down the hall and hides (this is new). Once in the car, she sits on the floor of the passenger side and pushes herself as far back as she will go, her eyes are really big, she shakes, and moisture drips out of her nostrils. She moves her head around very quickly at any sound that may come from the car. She never and refuses to sit up, almost like she does not want to look out. If we get out of the car and need to go back in the car say to go home, she will stand up and place her front paws over my hands where I am holding the leash and pull back as hard as she can. One time I had to pick her up to get her in the car and she was sticking all fours out as stiff as can be with her paws on the frame of the car blocking me from putting her in....no joke. It was like how I acted when I didn't want to go to elementary school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 My suggestion is to de-sensitize her to it. First, stand near it (for a week or more) without her having to go near it. The next week, I would open the doors to both sides and reward her for coming from one side right out the other to you and treats. You cannot rush ANY of this. Basically every single step has to be slow, and rewarding. When you do get to drive, it's only 5 feet back and then 5 feet forward. It will take a long time, but she has deep seated fear, and it will be worth it to take care of it while she is still young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyandme Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 Should I involve the car keys or not? I mean should I back up that far with treats for the sound of car keys first? Can't believe the sound of the windshield wipers started all of this. I mean I can believe it, I just feel so bad for her. The obedience trainer did say she is extremely sensitive to her environment, but I don't think the trainer knows that in regard to the car, it has gotten this bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted April 27, 2010 Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 I agree with Kelpiegirl. I would also use Rescue Remedy and crate the dog in the car. Cover the crate with a towel or two to block scary outside sights. I used to know a show breeder who acquired a dog afraid of riding in the car. She had a crate dolly and would crate the dog in the house, cover the crate, roll it out to the car and load it. The dog calmed down enough after a few of these that she could load the crate first and then have the dog hop in. It took about a dozen trips to shows. These were long rides, usually a couple of hours or more. She also used Rescue Remedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 I would work on the key issue separately. Set the keys on the floor for a few days for her to just walk around. Gradually feed her treats near, but do not pick up the keys. Once she completely ignores key presence, then just touch them. No more than that, walk up to them, touch them, and give her a cookie afterward. The key (sorry for this choice of words) is taking it slow. It's rather like teaching a horse about a wash stall, or clippers, or the same such thing. Oh, spray bottles too; I can make the exact sound of a spray bottle, which I learned when schooling foals about life. Should I involve the car keys or not? I mean should I back up that far with treats for the sound of car keys first? Can't believe the sound of the windshield wipers started all of this. I mean I can believe it, I just feel so bad for her. The obedience trainer did say she is extremely sensitive to her environment, but I don't think the trainer knows that in regard to the car, it has gotten this bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecretBC Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 I agree that she should absolutely be crated in the car -- and not an oversized crate, either. It should be as small of a crate as she feels comfortable in, as this will allow her a more steady ride with less jostling around. The crate should have adequately secured padding/cushion so that she doesn't slip & slide around corners. If using a wire crate, I would cover it -- Possibly even cover an airline crate if it might calm her more. Bungee the crate securely into the car so that it doesn't move. I would take her somewhere every single day. More than once a day if you can -- And make that place FUN. Drive to the park and play frisbee. Go to a fast food place and buy her a hamburger. Drive to the beach and go swimming, etc. EVERY DAY So many dogs only get put in the car for a stressful situation -- vet, etc. My dogs come to work with me, thus are in the car multiple times a day. New dogs always ride in the crate for several months so that they learn to ride calmly & with manners. Every time they go into the crate, they get a treat. Always make it positive. It does sound like she's incredibly stressed, so it wouldn't hurt to speak with your vet about using sedatives for the first stage of this retraining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.DaisyDuke Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 Yes, desensitize her to it big time! Patricia McConnell has some great desens. info in "Cautious Canine" I think. Also, I agree, life rewards are a great way to get the dog used to riding in the car. My last foster was semi-feral so it took tons of work to get him even near the car, but once I started taking him to day care (this dog LOVES other dogs and feels so confident around them) his issues with the car slowly disappeared. Of course, some dogs need to be heavily desensitized to the car first, so I would be very careful with this. The foster dog had a proven record of being afraid but rebounding back very fast and very well. That is why I just "pushed him over the edge" so to speak. Not something I'd recommend for every dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisyandme Posted April 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the suggestions. I will continue to work with her (probably not work on it during a rainy day as the wipers really set her off). On a side note, I posted about a month ago about having problems with Daisy's anal glands...could the stress over the car be causing her to excrete? I worked with her the other day on the car and that night I noticed the odor again, but not as strong. She also had loose stool about 2-3 hours after working on the car. Her stool up until that point has been firm and she had very few car rides during the time her stools have been firm. I just find it odd that not every time but often enough this odor shows up after a car experience.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njnovice Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the suggestions. I will continue to work with her (probably not work on it during a rainy day as the wipers really set her off). On a side note, I posted about a month ago about having problems with Daisy's anal glands...could the stress over the car be causing her to excrete? I worked with her the other day on the car and that night I noticed the odor again, but not as strong. She also had loose stool about 2-3 hours after working on the car. Her stool up until that point has been firm and she had very few car rides during the time her stools have been firm. I just find it odd that not every time but often enough this odor shows up after a car experience.... Mick is terrified of vet offices, with the exception of the waiting room. I think part of it comes from being abandoned at a vet clinic. He often gets loose stools after getting home from the vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejano Posted May 2, 2010 Report Share Posted May 2, 2010 I'm in agreement that a crate could be your solution...but then, I feel that dogs should always travel in crates the same as kids should be in car seats. It's safer for everyone. If Daisy likes her crate at home, she might feel more comfortable in a crate in the car. Our dogs are very aware that a ride means FUN and love to ride anywhere and will run over top of each other to be first out the door to the car, but they want to be in their crates...not that they won't go if you offer them the co-pilot's seat, but they prefer their crates - RObin especially gets restless and uncomfortable if he's not in the crate. I keep nice big bones in there for them to chew on -- the only place they get those kinds of bones so the problem sometimes is getting them out of the crate . You might try start off by leaving her in the crate for about five minutes with a great treat -- say two songs on the radio, then take her out for a spin in her in the crate for about five minutes for a great treat, then taking her out for short drive somewhere fun and give an extra yummy treat when you get there and then when you get back. Gradually increase time and distance. If she minds traffic, cover the crate. She might also forget about the jingling car keys if she sees her leash at the same time, which should mean fun for her... Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsnrs Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 We crate our dogs while traveling also. That way we are safe and they are too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Well, when she hears the car keys she runs down the hall and hides. Annie does the same thing when DW starts pulling out pots and pans to prepare dinner; I keep trying to convince DW that it is not a reflection on her cooking... I wish I had some advice on the car thing, but Annie LOVES to ride in the car. Her first car trip was a disaster; she howled, yipped, and carried on as if she was being tortured to death. So I wrapped her in a towel to keep her from hurting herself, covered her eyes, and held her and petted her while DW drove the car. Since then, all I have to do is open the car door, and she hops in the back seat and makes herself comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacks_Mom Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Jack was not crazy about going in the car at first he would try to hide under the seat since he was so little he could almost fit but after a couple of trips to McDonalds for a plain cheeseburger he was eager to go in the car. He loves to go in the car now it either means a cheeseburger, park, agility, flyball, or grandma and grandpa's house. My car is not big enough for a crate for him to ride in so he sits in the seat with his seat belt harness, it is so cute he sits there like he is a big boy looking out the window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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