Enerosar  Offline
puppy walker
Joined: Jul 15, 2011
Age: -1981
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Posts: 402
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5556 LabPounds
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No.of Labs: 1
Lab Names: Harry 02.06.10 Alfie (fox red x vizsla)18.11.09
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Location: Warrington Cheshire
Gender: 
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 Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:58 pm Post subject: how to travel in a car??? |
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Right we are going away the end of may my friend is taking us in her car and then will be picking us up. Harry isnt used to cars and as proven frightend to get into them (which wasnt a problem before being tied up in the boot so he couldnt move only lay down thanks to my father) he traveld sat next to me on the back seat with his "girl friend" the other day but did cry, that was once we had managed to get him into the car. Now im not sure what to do when we go away. He could sit in the boot but might trample to bags, friend said he could sit either on the back seat with the kids or drop a seat and he can go on that bit in the back. OR do i get a fabric crate thing as im thinking they might not take up so much room in her car (ford focus) or/and a light sedative (dont shoot me please) just to calm him down so hes not so stressed out. I have used these before but they werent a sedative they were calmers for dogs from a doggy company who made all natural stuff as one of my show dogs would cry and drool for england on the way to a show, he was that bad without them he had to have a baby bib on.
Any advise would be great thanks
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Sarah Harry and Alfie |
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Luna-Tuck Offline
the Loon n Tuckeroo
Joined: Apr 19, 2009
Age: -1978
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Posts: 12358
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93177 LabPounds
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No.of Labs: 2
Lab Names: Luna (13/04/2008-Countyways Bethan), Tucker (09/06/2010-ish!)
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Location: Nottinghamshire
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Ok - you've got until May.
Does your friend pop around a lot or can you pop around to hers? I'm thinking that you take all pressure off getting in the car, or any car in fact. Walk him up to it, tell him to find lots of treats you throw on the floor near the car, walk him away and then repeat lots. Create special 'car' treats that are VERY high value and only used in/near car.
Next step is to have the car door/boot open, do the same scatter treats on the floor near door for him to find, walk away and back towards to repeat lots.
The put treats on the car door or on the edge of the seat, maybe in the foot well, so he doesn't have to get in to get them but has to reach in - repeat lots after moving away and walking towards.
Then put the treats a little bit further in so her has to put paws in the car to get... jump completely in the car to get... etc etc. Build up to you getting in with him then closing the door then starting the engine - all with him getting straight out, walking away for a bit and then returning. Perhaps take a filled kong/chew for him to have in the car while it sits still when he gets happy about getting in.
I'm thinking that he needs to realise that this friend's car is nothing to be scared off so making it all positive is the way ahead to get rid of the anxiety and need for sedation. Luna took a dislike to travelling in our car after an accident and would sit all hunched up and stressed - a big soft cushiony beanbag bed gave her something to lie down into and she would tolerate journeys with less stress. 6months after 'happy to travel and watch the world through the car windows' Tucker came home and I now have 2 happy labs sitting in the boot looking out again!  So if you have another dog that can help with making the car pleasurable make use of them!! I never thought I'd ever have happy traveller Luna back again - it is lovely to be proved wrong!
As to where he travels... just make sure he is secure, maybe a harness on the back seat if the boot shall be full of luggage? If he isn't used to a crate then it is difficult to say whether using one would help or hinder his travel experience.
If he cries in the car perhaps try distraction techniques... I usually find that opening a packet of crisps or similar stops a lab thinking about whatever was upsetting them esp. if you appear to be doing it and hiding the fact from them!!
How long will the journey be?
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Laura, Luna and Tucker too! x
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Enerosar Offline
puppy walker
Joined: Jul 15, 2011
Age: -1981
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Posts: 402
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5556 LabPounds
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No.of Labs: 1
Lab Names: Harry 02.06.10 Alfie (fox red x vizsla)18.11.09
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Location: Warrington Cheshire
Gender:
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Items
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| Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, I will give that a try, my friend whos car Harry has been in will let me try this im sure, the friend whos driving us in May works all week so doesnt get time for us to work on him, but once hes used to Eiras car then im sure he will be much better in any car. He loves his crate in the house but again hes never been in one in a car (i wasnt told not having a car would cause so many probs)
I like the idea of trying to hide the fact you are opening and eating crisps i wonder if that will keep his mind off "oh no i dont like this thing its moving" he might even forget he doesnt like crisps haha
The trip will be around 2h which is allowing for traffic and toilet stops for the kids, which they shouldnt need but i know my kids LOL
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Sarah Harry and Alfie |
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