Securing dog in boot of car

[JoanneF]

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Great news!

 

[leashedForLife]

a frozen stuffed Kong is good busywork for the road - or a long-lasting safe chewy, such as an antler, bull pizzle, etc. // Congrats!    :cheers:

 

[arealhuman]

a frozen stuffed Kong is good busywork for the road - or a long-lasting safe chewy, such as an antler, bull pizzle, etc. // Congrats!    :cheers:

We started the journey with one of his favourite treats - a long chew sticky type thing (forget the name) - which he usually loves, but he left it this time until we got to our destination.  Will try the Kong next time.

 

[arealhuman]

a frozen stuffed Kong is good busywork for the road - or a long-lasting safe chewy, such as an antler, bull pizzle, etc. // Congrats!    :cheers:

We started the journey with one of his favourite treats - a long chew sticky type thing (forget the name) - which he usually loves, but he left it this time until we got to our destination.  Will try the Kong next time.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Anxiety will sometimes prevent eating. When dogs are anxious the fight/flight kicks in and the body is told not to take on more food as it will hinder the ability for run fast or stand and fight. Think about your tight tummy when you are nervous/anxious. Whether a dog eats or not, in a given situation, is sometimes a good indicator of the state of their emotions. As you already know he likes that chew then this inability to chew it could be a good indicator of the emotional state when in the car.

Knowing the emotional state is crucial to helping a dog overcome a problem. It is useless trying to teach them a new behaviour because their brain is flooded with messages telling them to be ready to flee/fight. If that is denied than the anxiety may manifest in frustration etc.

 

[leashedForLife]

Suggestion-
how about DS / CC in the *parked* car, 1st with the engine off?...
or even mark / reward him for  LOOK at, LEAN toward, STEP toward, SNIFF the car, STEP into the car... etc, with reward / reset all along, during each step?

Or feed him his meals in the car - parked, as he lies in the crate. // Or feed him in the driveway or under the canopy or in the garage, *near* the car - again, getting closer over time?

It's all about making the former trigger [entering the car, engine sounds, traffic sounds, motion sickness,  U pass vehicles or they pass U, ______  ]  into a reliable predictor of Good Things, instead of anticipating Bad Things - anxiety, stress, nausea, over-arousal, being scolded, whatever the dog's individual worry might be.

- terry