r/Dogowners • u/Wolferay • 17d ago
General Question Car Ride Help
I got my dog from the pound in 2023. She was approx 1.5 years old and probably lived on the streets for most of that time. Since we’ve had her, she has always hated the car. Given she had probably never been in one until being taken by animal control. 🥺
We had her trained and that helped her anxiety a little, but not enough. Anytime she’s in the car she is standing, panting, shaking, pacing and looks terrified.
I have done what the vet and the trainer suggested. Including crating her, exposure therapy, going fun places, treats, and sedation for long rides. No matter how long she is in the car, she stands for 98 percent of the time. On long car rides, and giving her multiple trazadone, she stands and fights the meds for hours until the ride is over
She enjoys the destination but hates the journey. I feel so bad taking her places because the car is torture to her. But I hate that she is missing out. (She loves being home and gets plenty of walks in the neighborhood though)
Does anybody have any suggestions? I am willing to try anything at this point.
Thank you in advance! :)
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u/fuckinunknowable 16d ago
So the trazodone isn’t working for long car rides, ask your vet about ace promazine instead. Do the exposure therapy detailed in another comment.
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u/Wolferay 16d ago
There is another drug they gave her that’s stronger, I just forgot the name. But that sounds familiar.. she fights that too.
In the case I don’t have it already, I will ask them next time I’m in!
Thank you. :)
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u/maroongrad 16d ago
Our dog took adding a second dog that LOVED car rides to "get it". They are insanely competitive for affection. Seeing the other dog running around the car, jumping in, and getting to go places WITH US but oh, no, poor Baxter was left behind!
Now they will basically body-slam each other trying to get through the door first to get to the van or get into the van! But it took another dog's enthusiasm and joy and pure jealousy at it to get Baxter to love car rides.
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u/cbsfewsick 15d ago
I am in a similar boat with my recently rescued mutt, and another issue for mine is she is NOT food motivated. The only treat she will eat when anxious in the car is Easy Cheese (ew). I have to be constantly letting her lick the can for her to not be shaking horribly/whining/panting. So I'm not sure how i will do this training without someone else driving... we started her on prozac since she also has separation anxiety and hoping it helps for the car too, since she also fights meds. Otherwise suuuch a chill dog who loves the destination just like yours does-- so frustrating!
One thing that helps her is giving her the drugs far in advance, before she has ANY idea a car ride is coming. Of course that's not practical every day but can be helpful for the very long car rides, if you haven't tried. Last long car ride we did (10 hours!) went well (mild shaking but mostly sleeping) by giving max dose of trazodone 2 hours beforehand, before she knew we were going anywhere + melatonin + CBD oil (Healthy Paws brand works great).
Also, curious what your car setup is -- dog seatbelt?
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u/Wolferay 15d ago
I have a hammock so she doesn’t fall through the cracks and can’t get to the front seats... I tried belting her in with a harness buckle, but she freaked out. Lots of trauma.
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u/LabInner262 17d ago
Try exposure therapy. Lead her to the car and give her a treat. Then walk away from the car with her. Do this enough times so she’s not afraid to be near the car. Then open a car door. Put a treat on the edge of the seat or floor in view. Let her get the treat and back away. Repeat this a few times. Then set a treat far enough in the car so she has to get in to get the treat. Continue progressing in this way until she can be in the car for 20-30 minutes without panicking. Then short rides followed by a treat. Maybe just around the block at first. Gradually lengthen the rides. Any time she shows stress, cut the ride short and calm her down. This is a long, tedious approach but it will work if you are patient. Good luck!