Thanks, Gary. I will look into your suggestions. It sure would make the trips more pleasant if she didn't do all of that hyperventilating. Keep up the good work in rescue and happy camping. Curt
I just started using Rescue Remedy for one of my cats and it has been great. I put a drop on 2 treats one time and then last week mixed a few drops in a very small amount of canned cat food (a treat since they only get dry food). Princess would cry while riding in the truck with us and all this seemed to do was take the stress out of the ride. She was her normal self except she didn't cry. I wasn't able to find it at GNC but walked into an independent store in upper Michigan and she said it is one of her best selling items. It's for people but she has a customer who used it on her horse! To me it's better for Princess not to be stressed during the ride because then it's a more pleasant experience for her. It is an all natural product but there is a small amount of alcohol in it. The stress reducing products I have seen at the chain pet stores require a larger dose. Good luck.
I'll add my two cents regarding drugging the dog. This is a BAD idea. It's just going to take some time to get her used to the coach when it's moving. My first travelling companion was a husky/sheltie mix that I adopted from the Denver Dumb Friends League. I drove trucks back then, and he had to get used to being in the truck pretty much all at once. He hollered and howled and tried to get underneath the pedals. I ended up tying him up in a way that he could still get next to me, but not any further. He went on CONSTANTLY from Denver, CO. to Rock Springs, WY. All at once, he decided that this truck thingy wasn't going to eat him, and he settled right down. By the end of that first trip, he had decided that the truck was "home," and literally waited by the front door to go back out on the road when I got back to the stick house.
Snow is another one that has had little experience riding. She shook and panted hard the first trip in the coach. Even on the Colorado trip last month, she was still a bit uneasy, wanting to get up and move around (not allowed when in motion). I restricted her movements as well. By evening, she was settled right in.
YOU are the "alpha dog" in her "pack." If she shows similar stress, I recommend using good old fashioned training. Keep her on a leash when the coach is in motion, and have her lying down close by. When she gets up, have her go back to a "down stay." Once she gets the idea that all is fine, and YOU are not upset, she'll settle down. She may settle quickly like mine did, or it may take a few trips. Dogs can feel your stress, and believe it or not, you stressing over her stressing is only feeding back on each other.
1994 Safari Sarengeti Edition (92k miles)
1997 Ford F150 (164k miles)
1998 Jeep Cherokee (155k miles)(RV toad)
2006 Chevy Aveo (23k)
2 Spoiled Rotten Great Pyrenees dogs, Bear and Snow
RVing is an obsession more expensive than drugs.
I second the Rescue Remedy advice, I first saw it recomended by some animal rescue groups, didn't realize it meant people too...lol
I first used it on my dog for clipping, it took the edge off, then when I adopted my Molly-Oly-Awesome dog she was termed as being almost feral,I put it in their drinking water, it seemed like it took an edge off there as well. It's very subtle, it doesn't tranquilize, it just helps.
I gave, I think it was atravet, to my cat on a long move once, it didn't work, I think he was more worked up over being stoned than the trip in the vehicle. If at all possible good conditioning, and something really mild is the best way to go.
You didn't mention it, but does he do it in the car? If he does, maybe taking him every where you can in the car, along with the other suggestions re the RV it's self, you can get him used to the crate (if it fits in your car) and the motion and noise of a moving vehicle. Even quick trips to a park will help him see a vehicle as positive fun.
I personally like the crate idea as it does help protect your dog, and it does offer a comfort den. My parents have a dog that doesn't travel well to, and they found putting him in the crate and ignoring him (because now he is safe and not trying to crawl under the driver) he is getting better. They are also more proactive in taking him every where they can in the truck. (which they didn't do while he was young)
Good luck, there is nothing like taking your best friend along with you on the road.
Jahna
2 Adults
1 to 3 young adults
2 dogs
Toyota Highlander upgraded 2007 GMC Sierra
Palomino 4120 and two tents, one for each kid for sanity
Upgraded to Jayco 29n still two tents for sanity!
Forever trusting in who we are, and nothing else matters. Metallica
I have an update and some additional information on Winston. To answer one question, yes, he exhibits the same behavior while riding is our car or truck, not just the RV.
Also, we did get away this weekend in the rv with Winston. We tried Travel Ease bought from my vet. We followed the directions exactly and It did absolutely nothing to calm his nerves. He still exhibited the same behavior, excessive panting, lying low and not moving or responding to voice commands.
Also, I'm with most who do not recommend narcotic sedatives. So, we'll try to acclimate him more and more to car, truck and rv travel.
I would like to hear from anyone who has gone through the same situation and how you handled it.
Consider giving him a benedryl, calmed our Boston down, and after a few times he travels like a champ now. First one in the MH when we start packing. Richard
Richard and Annell,
03 35' Dolphin (Workhorse W22), 02 4x4 Tracker,
Brakebuddy
Texas
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