Phobias?

[loves-da-pits]

I need some help with dog phobias. Reese is afraid to ride in a vehicle. At first I thought he had motion sickness. I gave him Dramamine, turn the air conditioner on high, talked to him, sang to him, played the radio, rolled the window down, gave him chew toys. The minute he thinks he is going for a ride in a vehicle, he starts shaking, drooling, getting really panicky. Next thing you know, he's throwing up. Not just once, but numerous times depending on how long it takes us to get to our destination. I've come to the conclusion it's not motions sickness but a phobia. I feel really bad for him beause he's so afraid, but sometimes we just have to take him with us in the truck. He's done this since the day I brought hem home over a year ago. My other dog Grace loves going for rides with no problems. Years ago I had a dog that had a phobia to firecrackers, gunfire, and thunderstorms. She never got over it, only towards the end when she became deaf. So if the members of this board has discussed this in the past or know any sites I can turn to, I would really appreciate it. My Vet hasn't been really helpful on this.

[k9resq]

Have you tried to "break him in" to the idea of riding? First you sit him in the truck and sit with him. No moving just sit there.Talk to him,pet him and so on. Repeat this step until he is comfortable with sitting in the truck. When he has succeeded with step one you return to sit in the truck,but now you start the engine. Repeat until he reaches a comfort zone. Next go for a VERY SHORT ride, as he becomes comfortable you increase the distance slowly. If you increase to quickly-you can undo every thing you have accomplished. And most importantly PRAISE !! PRAISE !! PRAISE!! Every little improvement, every accomplishment praise him so that he understands you are proud of him and he has done good.

Good luck !!!!!

[goob]

My idea is about the same as k9's, but a bit more drawn out, as usual

Teach him that good things result from getting in the car. It helps too if you have another dog who likes getting in the car and going for rides, use them as company to help the nervous dog to relax. I'd start off by simply walking him (and the other dog if you can) around it every day for a week, doors open, and letting him sniff around, in, whatever, without ever pressuring him to check it out or get in. When he does show interest, talk in a happy voice, but don't become frustrated if he doesn't. Then, bring him (and the other dog if possible, it'll really help here) out with both doors of the car open, and have them get in (happy doggy first, he should follow behind with a bit of coaxing), walk through, and go out the other side to get a treat. The car is more open this way, so if the dog is nervous about the doors being closed and it stuck in some moving contraption, this should help keep their mind more at ease. Do this a couple times a day, then leave the door closed on the side you're not using and put them in, treat, then let them back out, never shutting the door on your side. Next, put them in, shut the door for a second, open the door, and feed. Work up to longer increments of time with the door closed, then you can try with you in the car as well, and it on, but no actual driving. Once he's showing no signs of fear at approaching the car, getting in it, or sitting in it with it running, go ahead and drive just a little bit, maybe up your drive and back, stopping at the top of the drive to get him out for a little walk and sniff, with maybe a couple treats slipped to him in between. You want him to associate getting in the car and going as a precursor to fun... walks, food, etc. Do the trip up the drive for a few days, until he's more comfortable, then go around the block, again with a stop somewhere along the way for some fun. Then you just have to work up to longer distances.

Some dogs can never be fully desensitized to their fears, and he may always get nervous on car rides, but hopefully he'll be a bit less so. I've also heard that crating (if you crate him at times in the house) can help keep their anxiety levels down, as the crate is familiar and they feel more comfortable there. It helps with some dogs to not sit or stand on the seat, but lay down, so you might try that as well.

[honeybears]

I have heard to do what both k9 and goob suggest and to also feed the dog in the car. Is this a good idea?

honeybear

[spencerpits]

I was going to suggest something similar to what honeybears suggested (in addition to what goob & k9resq said). When you are walking him around the car with the doors open to let him sniff at it and check it out - you might try putting a really yummy treat inside the car. Somewhere that he can see it, but has to actually get in the car to get it. Not sure if others will agree with this or not - as this is baiting rather than rewarding, but you may have to 'bait' him to get him in the car willingly at first. Maggie was afraid to go for car rides when we first got her, but it was nothing like you are describing with Reese. At first we would have to pick her up and put her in the car (including the day we brought her home). Later she would go in on her own, but only grudgingly. Now she loves to go on car rides. But, as I said, she was nowhere near as scared as Reese. Good luck with this.

[loves-da-pits]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I tried giving him treats as we're riding, but he would just throw up after eating them. I've tried taking both dogs at the same time, but had a hard time managing them both when Reese has a panic attack and starts throwing up. I'm thinking, though, like what was mentioned about taking him on short trips like on Sundays and not much traffic and driving through a Dairy Queen and getting him a small dish of ice cream (his favorite.) I thought maybe he might even be claustrophobic. He's just a big baby. The other day we were walking, and a gas powered weed eater scared him. Maybe I should contact the Pet Physic that was mentioned on the All Dogs Form.

[honeybears]

luvdapits. I wouldnt feed him as you are driving, but feed him in the car when it is still. when he gets use to that just take baby steps like going around the block. even just setting in the driveway with teh engine on.

good luck
honeybear