Car anxiety

MickieBlue · Jul 22, 2015

Hi Everyone,

My boy has had anxiety in the car since we brought him home. He is almost a year old. I've tried giving treats, feeding him in the car, and just hanging out. Nothing makes him more comfortable.

We primarily take him to fun places, doggy daycare/dog park/beach/friend's houses, so its not like he only ever goes to the vet.

Anyway, the vet has given us the ok to try Benadryl to chill him out and would prescribe a tranquilizer for long trips. I've tried a natural liquid anxiety remedy and haven't seen a difference. I can give benadryl, but most trips are so short that it wouldn't kick in in time anyway.

Does anyone have any tips that have worked for you? I was thinking of trying a doggy car seat, so he is a little more secure, but I'm not sure that will do it. I have a dog bed in the car for him now. If he isn't facing the seat (pic included), he's on all fours, stiff as a board and panting.

Any suggestions for car seats or other possible tips would be appreciated!

Thank you!

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2bullymama · Jul 23, 2015

Awwww... sweet boy! He totally reminds me of my girl Banks (Bulldog)... this is what she did until she was about 2 yrs old and then after that she would hide on the floor or push herself under the dash board. We tried, benedryl and prescription drugs... the most it did was relax her a little, but nothing to where she was not stressed. She was like that her whole life.... we did even try the treats, toys, bones before the meds.

Squishy Walnuts · Jul 23, 2015

Poor guy.

Would he be better in a crate? It might make him feel more secure.

Cbrugs · Jul 23, 2015

Jax is the same exact way and he turned 2 in April. He goes to fun places as well and doesn't even mind going to the vet cause he knows he will get attention.

Benadryl never helped him. I tried some natural remedies as well that didn't seem to help. When we have gone on long road trips, I have given him Dramamine. He's gotten a teeny tiny better as he has gotten older but I have found that him being in his car/booster seat next to a window with the windows down somewhat helps him. I think it helps that that his is elevated in the booster seat and is able to get the fresh air and see out the window.

blushy · Jul 23, 2015

That pic is so precious.

Neither of mine do that, but Titan gets figety & cracking the window & letting him look out stops that.

Isa loves the floor board cause the floor vent delivers her her own personal air lol.

Jakeyjake · Jul 23, 2015

Awww poor buddy. My Stella is terrified of the car too and she shakes. She is a little better as she has gotten older (1 1/2). It doesn't matter if someone is holding her on their lap or if she is in her bed or with her brother. We also tried giving her treats to associate the car with something good. I wish I had better advice for you but hopefully he will get better about it with age.

MickieBlue · Jul 23, 2015

Squishy Walnuts said:
Poor guy. Would he be better in a crate? It might make him feel more secure.

I tried it cuz he loves sleeping in his crate at home, but it made the anxiety worse in the car.

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MickieBlue · Jul 23, 2015

Thanks everyone. I guess trying the booster seat is at least worth a shot. This is the only area were having an issue with. I just feel so bad for him cuz anxiety is awful.

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eeturk · Jul 23, 2015

It might be that he doesn't feel secure. Mine doesn't like the gap between the front seat and the back (his bed slid in once haha whoops!). A car seat could help, mine wouldn't sit in one though. I got one of those backseat protectors (found it at tj maxx) that makes sort of a giant hammock in the back seat for them and eliminates all the gaps. It makes my guy feel secure and now he loves car rides. He also sits facing the back seat sometimes too, not sure why but he seems to like it.

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MickieBlue · Jul 24, 2015

eeturk said:
It might be that he doesn't feel secure. Mine doesn't like the gap between the front seat and the back (his bed slid in once haha whoops!). A car seat could help, mine wouldn't sit in one though. I got one of those backseat protectors (found it at tj maxx) that makes sort of a giant hammock in the back seat for them and eliminates all the gaps. It makes my guy feel secure and now he loves car rides. He also sits facing the back seat sometimes too, not sure why but he seems to like it.

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Oooh thank you! Those are a bit less expensive, so maybe i'll try that way first. Thanks for the input!

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eeturk · Jul 24, 2015

MickieBlue said:
Oooh thank you! Those are a bit less expensive, so maybe i'll try that way first. Thanks for the input!

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Terrible quality but as you can see he's about negative 100% anxious with it haha.

Mine hooks to the headrests on the front seats and the ones on the back seats.

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blushy · Jul 24, 2015

eeturk said:
Terrible quality but as you can see he's about negative 100% anxious with it haha.

Mine hooks to the headrests on the front seats and the ones on the back seats.

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Can I borrow H for a week and you can borrow mine? I just love him!

davidh · Jul 24, 2015

Some just do not travel well. All of our do except Hazel, she really doesn't like it. Try a travel bed or the sling for the back seat as shown above. Maybe that will work.

MickieBlue · Jul 25, 2015

eeturk said:
Terrible quality but as you can see he's about negative 100% anxious with it haha.

Mine hooks to the headrests on the front seats and the ones on the back seats.

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LOL, this is awesome. Definitely will be trying it!

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Pope · Aug 3, 2015

MickieBlue said:
Hi Everyone,

My boy has had anxiety in the car since we brought him home. He is almost a year old. I've tried giving treats, feeding him in the car, and just hanging out. Nothing makes him more comfortable.

We primarily take him to fun places, doggy daycare/dog park/beach/friend's houses, so its not like he only ever goes to the vet.

Anyway, the vet has given us the ok to try Benadryl to chill him out and would prescribe a tranquilizer for long trips. I've tried a natural liquid anxiety remedy and haven't seen a difference. I can give benadryl, but most trips are so short that it wouldn't kick in in time anyway.

Does anyone have any tips that have worked for you? I was thinking of trying a doggy car seat, so he is a little more secure, but I'm not sure that will do it. I have a dog bed in the car for him now. If he isn't facing the seat (pic included), he's on all fours, stiff as a board and panting.

Any suggestions for car seats or other possible tips would be appreciated!

Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have you tried Lavender oil? Just rubbing a drop or two behind their ears or on their foreheads is said to be really calming for them (and it's natural so no medication!). Might not work, but worth a try! We also place Pope on the floor on the passenger side. He sticks his head up where the feet go so that the cool a/c blows on his face. He typically falls asleep there within a matter of minutes.

MickieBlue · Aug 6, 2015

Pope said:
Have you tried Lavender oil? Just rubbing a drop or two behind their ears or on their foreheads is said to be really calming for them (and it's natural so no medication!). Might not work, but worth a try! We also place Pope on the floor on the passenger side. He sticks his head up where the feet go so that the cool a/c blows on his face. He typically falls asleep there within a matter of minutes.

Ooh thank you! I will try that! [emoji4]

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