Car nerves

[PatG]

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My dachshund puppy is generally confident and outgoing, not phased by vacuum cleaner, washing machine etc, but is very nervous in the car and always defecates in the carrier. Any ideas please?

 

[poptart]

I've never had a problem with my dogs in the car. Could your puppy have had a fright in the car that's made them anxious? If they've not travelled in the car before it could just be a case of getting used to something new. Maybe you could travel with them on your lap in the back seat and give them reassurance until they settle?

 

[PatG]

I've never had a problem with my dogs in the car. Could your puppy have had a fright in the car that's made them anxious? If they've not travelled in the car before it could just be a case of getting used to something new. Maybe you could travel with them on your lap in the back seat and give them reassurance until they settle?

It’s a new experience for him and may be associated with taking him home from the breeder. Unfortunately I live alone and there’s no one else who can drive my car while I hold Ralph in the back seat!

 

[Hemlock]

It's quite common with puppies - I suspect the vibration of the car stimulates their guts, and either they are sick or they mess. Most grow out of that. There could well be a learned stress component because the first car trip (unavoidably) was frightening.

So - back to basics. Sit in the car boot and leave pup outside, and play with him. Toss treats out, let him tug a toy is that's his thing. Read the paper while sitting in the car and not giving him any attention. Give him some of his meals next to the car. Extend in tiny increments until you can feed and play with him inside the car. When he is completely relaxed in the open boot, close it, then open it again. Close it with you inside, in the driving seat but engine off, start the engine, switch it straight off, proceed to sitting in car with engine running, switch off and play with pup. Drive down drive and stop, let pup out, go indoors. If at any stage pup is unhappy, go back 2 stages. Progress to driving a few yards down road, going back home, walking pup to car and driving home. This will take as long as it takes, and demands total commitment from you.

Alternatively, don't take him in the car but walk everywhere from home and hope he doesn't need a vet appointment. Try the car again a couple of months down the line.

 

[Jan Woodhall]

It’s a new experience for him and may be associated with taking him home from the breeder. Unfortunately I live alone and there’s no one else who can drive my car while I hold Ralph in the back seat!

Oh dear! bless you! I have exactly the same problem! Robin had the most horrific 10.5 hour journey home, and then I had car problems and back and forth with loan cars that I was not allowed to put dogs in! He is now confident after a few sessions in and out, in wait and out, in lay down wait and out - next step yet to come as car is back in garage!!!! LOL Patience and one step at a time. I was lucky when he required his innoculations one of my neighbours sat in the back with him! Best of luck anyway, you will sort it in time.

 

[Jan Woodhall]

Oh dear! bless you! I have exactly the same problem! Robin had the most horrific 10.5 hour journey home, and then I had car problems and back and forth with loan cars that I was not allowed to put dogs in! He is now confident after a few sessions in and out, in wait and out, in lay down wait and out - next step yet to come as car is back in garage!!!! LOL Patience and one step at a time. I was lucky when he required his innoculations one of my neighbours sat in the back with him! Best of luck anyway, you will sort it in time.

PS - what Hemlock says!

 

[PatG]

It's quite common with puppies - I suspect the vibration of the car stimulates their guts, and either they are sick or they mess. Most grow out of that. There could well be a learned stress component because the first car trip (unavoidably) was frightening.

So - back to basics. Sit in the car boot and leave pup outside, and play with him. Toss treats out, let him tug a toy is that's his thing. Read the paper while sitting in the car and not giving him any attention. Give him some of his meals next to the car. Extend in tiny increments until you can feed and play with him inside the car. When he is completely relaxed in the open boot, close it, then open it again. Close it with you inside, in the driving seat but engine off, start the engine, switch it straight off, proceed to sitting in car with engine running, switch off and play with pup. Drive down drive and stop, let pup out, go indoors. If at any stage pup is unhappy, go back 2 stages. Progress to driving a few yards down road, going back home, walking pup to car and driving home. This will take as long as it takes, and demands total commitment from you.

Alternatively, don't take him in the car but walk everywhere from home and hope he doesn't need a vet appointment. Try the car again a couple of months down the line.

Thank you! Lots of good sense there, I’ll try your suggestions

 

[PatG]

Oh dear! bless you! I have exactly the same problem! Robin had the most horrific 10.5 hour journey home, and then I had car problems and back and forth with loan cars that I was not allowed to put dogs in! He is now confident after a few sessions in and out, in wait and out, in lay down wait and out - next step yet to come as car is back in garage!!!! LOL Patience and one step at a time. I was lucky when he required his innoculations one of my neighbours sat in the back with him! Best of luck anyway, you will sort it in time.

Thanks for the positivity! I’m lucky that the vet is walking distance and he only needs to go in the car infrequently. However, I do want him to enjoy the experience, as if he doesn’t, we can’t pop out for day trips! Time and patience, as you say.

 

[JudyN]

He could also have car sickness - which will make him generally nervous in the car as he associates it with feeling sick. Some suggest giving him a bit of ginger biscuit beforehand, and there are also over-the-counter meds (though I can't vouch for any of these).

Also, he might be happier if he can see out (I'm not sure how that works with a dachsund...). And if he associates the carrier with scary car journeys, you might have to work on that separately as well as in the car. If he can't see out of it, he might also be happier with a crate, or in a harness on the back seat.

 

[PatG]

He could also have car sickness - which will make him generally nervous in the car as he associates it with feeling sick. Some suggest giving him a bit of ginger biscuit beforehand, and there are also over-the-counter meds (though I can't vouch for any of these).

Also, he might be happier if he can see out (I'm not sure how that works with a dachsund...). And if he associates the carrier with scary car journeys, you might have to work on that separately as well as in the car. If he can't see out of it, he might also be happier with a crate, or in a harness on the back seat.

Thank you! Yes, the ability to see out is rather limited with a mini dachshund I'll try the ginger biscuit trick though.

 

[RGC]

We had major problems re car journeys with our rescued whippet - trembling and throwing up. Tried Dorwest Scullcap & Valerian tablets plus Valerian Compound with little benefit. Our vet supplied travel sickness tablets at an extortionate price which we couldn’t use as we couldn’t even crack them with a mortar and pestle - got a refund. HOWEVER, once Mabel got the message that car journeys meant walks, fun and meeting kind people - in short, happy stuff, her attitude changed and there’s been no car neggie ever since. Believe me, I was in despair but we’ve made it. Just need to sort out some other issues but take my word for it, you’ll get through. Anxiety and motion sickness will feed off eachother but it’s amazing how quickly they dissipate in a positive environment. Best of luck.

 

[PatG]

We had major problems re car journeys with our rescued whippet - trembling and throwing up. Tried Dorwest Scullcap & Valerian tablets plus Valerian Compound with little benefit. Our vet supplied travel sickness tablets at an extortionate price which we couldn’t use as we couldn’t even crack them with a mortar and pestle - got a refund. HOWEVER, once Mabel got the message that car journeys meant walks, fun and meeting kind people - in short, happy stuff, her attitude changed and there’s been no car neggie ever since. Believe me, I was in despair but we’ve made it. Just need to sort out some other issues but take my word for it, you’ll get through. Anxiety and motion sickness will feed off eachother but it’s amazing how quickly they dissipate in a positive environment. Best of luck.

Thank you! Everyone has been so positive and I feel that it will get better! It’s not the mess in the carrier that I mind, but the fact that poor Ralph is so upset. Onward and upward!