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my dog panics in the car

Last post 03-26-2008 11:27 PM by erica1989. 1 replies.
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  • 03-26-2008 10:34 PM

    my dog panics in the car

     

    shes a blue heeler, 7 years old. i've only had her 4 months, got her from a dog rescue site. i was told she loved going in the car. well, for the first week or so, she was fine in the car. maybe she doesnt like my driving or something, but since then, even though she always wants to get in the car, once we get going she panics whenever we pass an oncoming or parked vehicle. she whines and tries to bite at whatever is nearest, as if to ward off an attack from the vehicle. yet if i left her behind, she would be really disappointed and upset. i want to be able to take her lots of places in the car. by the way, the only times i do take her in the car now are a short drive to a leash free park, which she loves going to. however, the drive there is very distressing for both of us.

     she's been fine at night, the car headlights dont scare her. so it must be in daytime she thinks the cars coming at her are going to attack her.

    i have her strapped in with a harness. i try to get her to lie down, using treats, but she wants to see out the window. can anyone advise me? thanks

    pippa

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  • 03-26-2008 11:27 PM In reply to pippa_wonders

    • erica1989
    • Top 50 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-21-2007
    • Clearwater, Florida
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    Re: my dog panics in the car

    I would just keep doing short trips, using lots of her favorite treats when you pass a car. Start with a trip around the block, and go up from there. Desensitize (sp?) her to the oncoming traffic.

    I had a foster that would go NUTS if we passed a motorcycle in the car. Hackels raised, growling, etc. I didn't have her long enough to really work on this, but what I said above is what I would have done.



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