Rain1011
Alberta
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Joined: 05/25/2006
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We have a trip to Yellowstone planned in about a week and we are having a lot of trouble with our 7 year old bichon dog in the vehicle. She doesn't travel well so we did have her booked to stay at our local kennel but just last Sunday we found out that the kennel our dog was supposed to stay in didn't book her in so now there is no room so she has to come with us. She is a really great dog but we have had increasing issues with her traveling with us. She has always been crate trained and loves her crate at home. We put the crate in the vehicle and she gets really bad anxiety and throws her self around in the crate and won't stop whining or barking. We have spent the last week taking her on small trips and stopping at parks just to get her to understand that traveling isn't a bad thing. When she is barking or whining we don't acknowledge her but she will continue for hours. At Christmas we usually have a 10 hour drive and she really never settles down. If we are on the highway she will whine but when we slow down or stop she will bark. We have a routine before she travels. We take her for a little walk, get her to go pee, give her water and then settle her in the vehicle in the crate. I turn the vehicle on and we begin the agonizing trip. We usually have to stop a few blocks down to let her go pee again. We stop the vehicle and wait until she is quiet and then take her out. WE have tried everything. We give her bones to chew, we make sure she is cool. We are really ready to lose our minds. She is an amazing camper and once we get to our destination she is great. She does not bark or whine anytime else except in the vehicle. If anyone could help I would be glad to hear from you.
Thanks
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tandkj
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Joined: 08/04/2003
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Some are just not good travelers and don't like the vehicle motion or noise. Ask the vet for a travel pill. It puts them into a mellow state while not putting them completly out. No other suggestions!
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One lost Golden Retriever
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Hiker3
Florida
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Joined: 01/21/2007
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Gee, sounds like you have tried some good techniques. Others on the forum will have better advice than I can give.
Just wanted to offer moral support. Sure hope you can find a good solution. Glad she is a good camper -- that is half the battle solved (for traveling anyway).
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
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Kanyonkitty
Gerrardstown, WV
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Is it possible for you to put a doggie travel/seabelt harness on her and see if she will ride better un-crated. Otherwise I would try the travelpills.
2005 F350 PSD, 4x4, Lariat Crewcab, FX4, Camper pkg, Line-X 2006 Sunline T-2499 custom ordered with 24 options incl. aluminum roof & Onan CampPower 3600 LP Genny, Proud member of: Sunlineclub.com Single? check out MSN Groups Open Roads Singles,
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19Sandie54
AZ
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Joined: 01/24/2005
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Our 1 chihuahua Pickles, is not a good traveler either. He gets really stiff, shakes and pants and will ot relax for aything. For short trips, 3 hours or less, we crate him in a small crate and he does better, but for long hauls my Vet gave me Acepromazine 10mg and he takes 1/4 to 1/2 tab when needed for traveling. I think its some sort of a tranquilizer. He gets really bad at times. I only give it when he really needs it. Talk to your Vet regarding something for your dog to relax him
JJ & Sandie 
Li'l Jack and Pickles, chihuahuas...Chewy, poodle 6/15/95-7/4/08 We will always love you Chooch.
2003 Chevy 2500HD,LT,CC,SB,4x4,Duramax/Allison
2007 Starcraft Homestead 262RKS
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Rain1011
Alberta
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Joined: 05/25/2006
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We have tried a few seatbelts but she is an escape artist. One minute she is seating all nice in the seat and the next minute she making her way up to the front seat. We used about 3 different types of seat belts and she escapes from them all.
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Hiker3
Florida
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Joined: 01/21/2007
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Rain1011 wrote:We have tried a few seatbelts but she is an escape artist. One minute she is seating all nice in the seat and the next minute she making her way up to the front seat. We used about 3 different types of seat belts and she escapes from them all.
Our dog wears a harness and leash when outside. So when we put him in the car, we attach the leash/harness to the seatbelt. He has about 2 feet of freedom to walk the backseat. But the harness/leash would keep him "in" the car and he can't escape.
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juliev
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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You could try a DAP collar. Just do a search for those words. It works well for many different anxious dog situations.
Julie
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A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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I use DAP for two of our dogs that have anxiety during thunderstorms. I had previously used it for an elderly dog that became quite anxious at times, after dementia set in.
I did a quick search and found an interesing article for you:
DAP experiments
I've used the spray as well as the defuser, with pretty good success. You can buy DAP at Petco, PetSmart and many online pet supplier sites.
Please keep in mind that often times if you don't baby talk your dog in attempt to sooth it that will help decrease the reaction. Odd as it may sound, dogs often times become more anxious if their humans baby talk and comfort them. I do my best to ignore the anxiety and not reward it with baby talk but I do allow them to sit close to me during thunderstorms. It's a fine line and the DAP does seem to help. I keep the spray handy because in Oklahoma a storm can blow in quickly.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle....
Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Sometimes changing the 'type' of crate works.
I had a very trying rescue that had issues from abuse and he had to get over it because I had a trip to go on.
I found he was abused in an airline crate so being in there in the car just set him off. I bought a wire crate and that helped him over his fears. Once he found the wire crate comfortable and trusted me that nothing was going to happen to him. I slowly worked him back into the airline crate which I prefer.
Try a different 'size' crate or different 'type' of crate AND I found the real skittish ones settle in better for a car ride if you buy them those 'deep' donut or real plush 'deep' beds from petco and put one in the crate.
They feel more secure and don't bounce around so much on stops and starts and bumps. Putting one of these deep beds in my guys crate IS what clenched me being able to take him with.
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We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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