Re: Panics in the car

In Reply to: Panics in the car
Posted by:  Melissa
Posted on:  July 27, 2001 at 16:33:43

: My husband and I had purchased our Jack Russell (Molly) from a pet store (I know we shouldn't have). We've had her for 2 years now & she's an angel. The only thing is, she panics every time we ride in the car. We've tried everything - but she's only calm if we hold her. The vet gave us sedatives, but I'm not to crazy about giving them to her . Do you think she may have this fear from being transported to the pet store, or is this a common problem with JRT's? Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

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Hi Melissa,

This is hard to answer because you gave no indication if this is a recent behavior with her or something she has always had a problem with.

This can be a very difficult, if not impossible behavior to change. Some dogs just plain hate riding in the car period. Others, as you know would love to do nothing else.

The only thing I can suggest is to try to recondition her to the car. Start with real baby steps by just letting her sit in a parked car. Offer her some treats while she is in there, put a favorite toy in there. By all means make sure that you are there, never just leave her alone in a parked car.

Make these sessions short. Set her up for success. Always end your sessions on a positive note. Put her in for just a minute with a toy or treat, and as she gets more comfy extend the period of time gradually. If things are working well, then get in the car and start the engine and sit and idle for a few minutes. Once and if she gets used to that, drive the car down the driveway or if you don't have a driveway just a few feet. If she is reacting positively to all this gradually increase the distance.

And this is an important part...make sure where ever you are driving her is FUN! One of the things that causes fear of cars in dogs is that many people only take their dogs for rides to the vet or the groomer. Lots of dogs hate both places...they will react to getting in the car with fear because that is where they always ended up going.

To this day still with my dogs, I make sure that when they go for a ride it is not only for vet appointments. I may just take them for a ride to nowhere or I might stop at McDonald's and buy them a burger to split.

This will be a slow and tedious process, one that you will have to commit to and devote time to. Even then I cannot guarantee success but only offering you something you might try.

It is important to get puppies used to riding in cars from the moment you bring them home. There will always be an instance when the dog needs to ride in a car.

Hope this helps somewhat and good luck!

Marie