My Dog - Please I beg you help me?

Question

My 9 year old poodle cross hates traveling in the car she pants and runs around, this distracts my dad when he is driving causing all sorts of problems.

We would like to take her for days out and country walks also to the vets.

So any ideas on how i could calm her down and reassure her are welcome (what ever the cost)

Answer 1

Get her a small crate and put her in it when you go in the car. This will stop the pacing and the distractions to your father while he is driving.  

Answer 2

You can travel her in the car with a nice size kennel, or cage in order to secure her comfort. OR, you do what I needed to do -- which was calm my beagle boy down. My Vet prescribed M-Acepromazine 25mg which helps with everything associating with car anxiety.  

Answer 3

We pile a bunch of blankets and doggie pillows for our dogs. We travel as much in the dark when we go on trips so the dogs start out sleeping, buy the time the sun comes up, they have been traveling for several hours and are used to it.  I would practice with small trips, so she doesn't think that every time she gets into a car she is going to the vets.  Someone should be watching her so she doesn't distract your dad.  I think they have seat belts for dogs.  

Answer 4

She should not be "running" around in the car, even if she travelled well.  This is quite dangerous for both you and your dog.  

You basically have 2 options if you want to continue travelling with her.  

1.  Buy a crate or kennel that she will stay in for the entire trip

2.  Buy a restraint system for her.  There are Car Harnesses, Car Beds, and all kinds of things that will keep them in place while in the car

The panting is just from being scared.  Try classical music when she's in the car.

http://www.doctorsfostersmith.com for the car gear.  

Answer 5

by a crate for the car till she stops and has stopped for a while then maybe get a dog bed and put it in the car

Answer 6

yea  get her a lil cage to put her in that will stop that running around for sure  its not mean to put ur dog in a lil cage to take her along it just will stop her from running around in the car

Answer 7

For starters, use a travel crate or a restraint harness that keeps your dog secure while travelling.  It can be pretty dangerous to have a nervous dog romping around the car and distracting the driver.

A crate might make her feel more secure, and would at least keep her contained.  Most large crates fit in the back of an SUV or minivan.  However, if you have a smaller car, try using the harness that actually clips onto the seatbelt.  Your dog would be seatbelted in and unable to bounce around.

You might also want to try conditioning your dog to enjoy a car ride instead of just taking her to the vets.  At 9, she may have learned a long time ago that a car ride = something bad is going to happen, such as a scary trip to the vet.  Have you tried taking her on a short trip to a dog-friendly pet shop and buying her some treats?  Try making short trips with her properly restrained and giving her a reward (such as a run at the park or a new toy at the store) and she may learn that riding in the car is something to look forward to.

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

get her a doggy seat belt  or a small kennel to get her around in. because the running in the car is very dangerous for everyone

Answer 9

The  vets nowdays have sleeping pills for dogs in occassions like this. They are completely harmless and very effective. My sister uses them when she travels with her cats. Talk to your vet abou your options.

Answer 10

There is a product called rescue remedy that you can find in stores such as Whole Foods that have a natural remedies section.

Also when travelling in the car it is best to have the dogs in a crate which is secured to the vehicle (so they don't go flying through the vehicle in the event of an accident.)

Answer 11

dude put her in one of those dog boxes.  that's what you do with animals that run around in cars.  is this not common sense?

if this poodle is one of those gigantic ones, then get a bigger box for it and put it in the trunk of your parents' SUV.

Answer 12

heres a good solution. get some dark blankets and cover the windows in the vehicle the back passenger windows and the back glass.and take a blanket behind the front seats. this is so the dog can't see whats going on outside. and when the dog i quite let one side down and if she acts up again close it up eventully she will learn to be calm in the car.

Answer 13

Get her a small crate for traveling in the car.  It's safer for her and your Dad.

Start by just putting her in it and sitting in your driveway with the car running.  Do that a few days in a row.  Then drive around the block - Again, do that a few days in a row.  Then drive around 2-3 blocks for a few days in a row.  Keep increasing the distance little by little until you can go longer distances and times with her.