DougnDee
Corvallis, OR USA
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Joined: 05/26/2001
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Our little Maltese, Shoni, is 14 mos. old and has only been over the Santiam Pass near where we live in Oregon a couple of times so far. The pass is up to 4800 ft. and has a pretty steep decline. (We live in the Willamette Valley at 200 ft.) The poor baby just starts shaking and goes nuts trying to hide or escape when near the top and clear down the other side. He isn't usually scared or silly about things, so it is very unusual behavior for him. The only thing I can think of as a possible reason is that it bothers his ears. He doesn't have an ear infection and has done this everytime in both directions, over and back.
I've tried making him yawn to pop his ears, getting to chew something or drink, but it didn't work. The poor thing is so upset and miserable it is hard to watch and do nothing. Could it be something else? Or what should I do when it is happening? Whatever I do to try and comfort him doesn't help. He shakes so hard I worry for his health.
Doug,Dee & Shoni
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Horseplay
NC
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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May just like you think, the pressure. This is why when the pressure drops often that is a warning a storm is coming! They know it before we do.
I don't know what to tell you, but maybe a vet can put him on some type of sinus medicine to help if he is unable to "pop" his ears.
One other thing could be the angle of travel....like one would get on a roller coaster bothers him. Stomach jump.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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There is the change in sound for one thing and he may be picking up on some human vibes of concern. They can sense so many things we humans have lost the ability to sense or never had in the first place. It will be of interest to learn the outcome.
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Jerrybo66
AZ
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Gale Hawkins wrote:There is the change in sound for one thing and he may be picking up on some human vibes of concern. They can sense so many things we humans have lost the ability to sense or never had in the first place. It will be of interest to learn the outcome.
So very true. I'm retired and have a lot of time to pay attention to our Pit Bull and what he understands of the English language and more importantly our thoughts.  (I know what you're thinking)...Coincidences has nothing to do about what I've learned about him. Animals that share a close life with humans are amazing.... No, I don't consider myself a dog wacko or a "my dog's smarter than your dog" owner. I just know what I see, over and over.. 
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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I had 2 big dogs that would do that when I had to cross the Skyway in Chicago. They'd work themselves up so bad I thought they'd go into bloat.
Get a nice juicy fresh smoked bone from the butcher and give it to her just before you head up. And 'only' allow her these bones on the trip never at home so it's special and she will eagerly accept it and focus on 'it' and not dwell on the trip. Sometimes their short attention span can be a bonus.
This was the only thing that worked for me on the Skyway and the chewing will help yours with the pressure too.
Good Luck!
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Vince dEon
Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Joined: 08/15/2003
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Dogs will pick up on your energy, too. Act as if nothing is wrong before during and after the trip. Ignore the dog when they begin shaking. Somehow they have been reinforced on that behaviour (you picked them up?) and now they do it every time.
Only talk to them or pick them up if they are doing nothing during the pass, and praise them big time after they stop shaking.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Might be a good idea to have his ears checked. 5,000 feet isn't all that much of a pressure change but if he has plugged tubes it could still be painful.
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Ductape
On the Road
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Judging from the symptoms dogs do at time have problems getting their ears to clear. I've noticed one of ours whine from time to time changing elevation (rapidly), and a little ear massage settles him right down.
Of course he may be training me to rub his ears...  but I do believe it's pressure buildup because he's an excellent rider and exhibits no other signs of anxiety. And we do a lot of jeep trails, so if he was worried about the terrain he'd be having a fit.
* This post was
edited 08/17/08 08:07pm by Ductape *
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chuckster11
Idaho
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Joined: 04/30/2004
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skipnchar wrote:Might be a good idea to have his ears checked. 5,000 feet isn't all that much of a pressure change but if he has plugged tubes it could still be painful.
This would be my suggestion as well. Sounds like your dog cannot equalize the pressure in one or both ears. That has to be painful and may account for the behavior.
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Bill&Barb
Beamsville,Ontario
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Joined: 10/01/2005
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Our Bichon Frise just jumped straight up off the seat going over La Veta pass in Colorado, like he heard a gun shot. We gave him something to chew and massaged his mouth to make him yawn. He was OK after that. We're pretty sure it was a pressure pop.
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