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5 month old springer - car anxiety

7 replies

wrongagain · 26/04/2012 07:30

Hi, my 5 (almost 6) month old springer puppy is struggling with car journeys, he won't stay still for any length of time, he sits on my lap, then in the footwell, then in the back then back to my lap, then lies down, then sits back up... And it goes on and on until we arrive at our destination. At first I thought it was him thinking we were off to the vets again and it was nerves but he seems to be getting worse not better and he now also whines/barks occasionally through the journey.

I don't drive so he only goes in the car when we are going to puppy training, for certain walks or the vets, and it also means I can't get him in it everyday to help him get used to it. He happily jumps into the car, but is just not calm once in it.

It's reached a point where I now sit in the back with him to try and give him more room and keep him calm. He's not a calm puppy in the slightest anyway (note to self :- next time get a lab!) and I wondered if it was travel sickness, or if I've got him into bad habits and it's my fault he's like this now. I have considered getting one of those things that goes on the back seat to stop him jumping through from the boot and putting him there but I worry he'll jump around and restrict a drivers view.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

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noinspiration · 26/04/2012 08:24

You need a travel crate, for both his and your own safety. An unsettled dog loose in the car could cause a nasty accident.

I had the same problem, my dog would launch himself over the seats and I couldn't hold him down. He feels safer in the crate and settles down much more calmly.

Try and make journeys a positive experience by regularly taking him in the car to a really fun off lead walking spot etc If he starts to associate the car with bad things, like the vet, it will get worse.

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SuperSlattern · 26/04/2012 08:35

My springer hated the car at first. Trouble was I had to drive him to the dog sitters everyday.

At first I put him in a pet carrier, strapped in the front seat (airbag switched off). I kept a bag of small biscuits to pop in when he started crying.

Once he settled I moved the carrier into the car boot as that is where I wanted him to travel. In the end he eventually got used to it. The turning point was playing Black Eyed Peas 'Boom Boom Boom' it just calmed him down. It does thump a bit, so it may of reminded him of his mums heartbeat.

Anyway he is now ok with travelling and jumps in the boot no problem. Just keep persevering, he will get used to it

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batteryhen · 26/04/2012 11:16

I second the crate in the boot. I have a 6 month cocker spaniel, and the minute he is in the crate, you wouldn't know a dog is in the car. I once tried him in the back seat to take him 5 minutes to the vet. Never again.....he was so excited, trying to get on my knee etc, that for safety reasons he will always go in the crate from now on x

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alp · 26/04/2012 13:37

Crate in the boot.

Our springer hated the car when not in a crate now she won't get in the car without a crate.

When car is parked at home get pup used to it by building up time and exposure so in car in crate with stuffed kong with boot/door open then progress on slowly.

We had to do this and whilst a pain at the time you wouldn't know she was in the car now.

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noinspiration · 26/04/2012 14:30

I second the music or radio in the car suggestion. Some rescue places play classical music to calm dogs, and radio 4 has a very soporific effect on mine. Dog1 really was hysterical in the car as a puppy. Routine we used was to lift him in (no way he'd jump in), give him a biscuit and close crate, then drive basically ignoring him, chatting, with radio on.

It's best not to react to whining or barking as if you reassure the dog, you reinforce the fear and stop them moving on. Also, my aunt gave her corgi treats to stop her barking in the car, with the result she associated barking with getting treats, so barked constantly, every single car journey for her entire life. It was hell!!

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JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 26/04/2012 14:35

dont treat the barking - that leads to dog associating woof = treat. Just ignore and get a crate - if you dont want a metal crate get a dog bag which folds up, they are great things and come in their own rucksack for storage.

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