Whimpering And Shaking In The Car?

[perrin]

My dog loves to travel in the car. He is happy to get his harness on and will just jump into the car but once he is in there and we start driving away he starts shaking and making yawning type sounds? He also talks alot.

He really likes to go and pick our son up from school but justs talks the whole time that we are waiting for him to come out.

He seems anxious? but excited. Is he just anticipating picking up a member of his pack? He loves the kids.

But he reacts the same even if we are just going to the park for a play. And when we go to visit family 4 1/2 hours away.

He is well socialised and happy when we get to where we are going. On long trips he settles down after an hour or so.

He is not snappy or cranky at all.

When he was a pup he used to get car sick but has grown out of it now. Could it be that he associates riding in the car as getting sick?

He doesn't seem to have a problem with riding on the ute in his crate. In fact he prefers it. It's me who doesn't like him on the ute.

[Erny]

It is difficult to tell you exactly what your dog is 'feeling' especially without seeing him. However, not to dismiss anxiety as being a possibility (and yes, perhaps this relates to motion sickness, although this often results in the dog's reluctance to get in the car in the first place), perhaps do a 'trial by elimination'.

Perhaps it is that your dog has high anticipation of something really delightful occurring at the end of the trip (eg. meeting the kids; run in the dog park; etc). Perhaps add in a good mix of very short car trips without anything special occurring. You'll need to do this quite a number of times for your dog to begin to understand that a car trip doesn't mean anything nasty but doesn't necessarily mean anything really exciting either. And the more trips you make where there is something FUN at the end, the more, shall I say, "boring" trips you'll need to make to counter-balance them. In other words, for the sake of this 'trial' and if it is to work, the number of "boring" trips should well and truly outweigh the "fun" trips.

Also, when your dog is vocalising, be sure to not encourage by talking to him or giving him any attention for it.

Now - just to re-address the possibility of anxiety as a result of having been car sick when a pup. That he has no issue being in a crate on the back of the ute could be a clue, but then it also would depend on whether the ute has been used with the frequency you use the car for these 'fun' trips. Also that he is at the back of the ute where inadvertent attention is not so possible. And all the other noises that may well simply take his mind off his behaviour.

[poodlefan]

Also, when your dog is vocalising, be sure to not encourage by talking to him or giving him any attention for it.

So yelling SHAAAAAADUP isn't recommended then Erny?

[takes notes for next time she babysits Flynnie the Wonder Dog] :wink:

Edited September 16, 2008 by poodlefan

[Nekhbet]

nah poodlefan I tried that ... Try having a Mal going off her dial at passing motorists. I think we both looked mad at that point she's such an angel now

[Erny]

Also, when your dog is vocalising, be sure to not encourage by talking to him or giving him any attention for it.

So yelling SHAAAAAADUP isn't recommended then Erny?

[takes notes for next time she babysits Flynnie the Wonder Dog] :wink:

.... so you heard me from way up there!!!??? It makes us feel better for a nanno-second, PF, I must admit.

Mandela's even figured out that I use the rear view vision mirror to spy on him (is he needing toilet, is he just playing or is he just loving the sound of his own voice?) and this encourages him even more. So I'm back to completely ignore through the whole trip and fingers crossed it's not a wee stop he is wanting.

Edited September 16, 2008 by Erny

[poodlefan]

nah poodlefan I tried that ... Try having a Mal going off her dial at passing motorists. I think we both looked mad at that point she's such an angel now

I think Flynnie won't be growing out of squeaking with excitement when we drive to the forest to walk.. he's had plenty of years to practice it.

At least it's only that drive though. Generally you don't know he's in the car until you look in your rear view mirror and see four Vizsla legs in the air.

Edited September 16, 2008 by poodlefan

[Nekhbet]

yes I came to appreciate the noise she made ... it meant her gob was not full of part of my car interior

[Lablover]

He doesn't seem to have a problem with riding on the ute in his crate. In fact he prefers it. It's me who doesn't like him on the ute.

Have you tried having the crate in your vehicle, as he seems to enjoy it? How do you know he is not yawning (sometimes a sign of stress) etc, if he is in the ute?

Does he seem as stressed when not in the harness?

[perrin]

He doesn't seem to have a problem with riding on the ute in his crate. In fact he prefers it. It's me who doesn't like him on the ute.

Have you tried having the crate in your vehicle, as he seems to enjoy it? How do you know he is not yawning (sometimes a sign of stress) etc, if he is in the ute?

Does he seem as stressed when not in the harness?

Thanks for answering Lablover.

Unfortunately the crate won't fit in the car. It is 48 inches and because i travel with the kids there is just no way to put in a smaller one. He grew out of the blue and white airline crate so i had to upgrade and get a wire one.

O/h thinks it is because he feels "at home" in his crate as it is his bed and his sanctuary so we fold it up and take it when we go on overnight trips or trips when we need to use the work ute.

The harness doesn't make a difference because he doesn't always wear it on short trips when he sits on the floor at my feet. I would say that he associates the harness as something exciting.

I'm certain that he is much happier in his crate because he sits on the back sucking in the wind and he looks like he is enjoying himself. I watch him through the back window (I'm a bit paranoid about having him out their even in his secured crate) and he just acts totally different to what he is like inside the car. I have not seen him do the yawning thing but yes obviously i can't watch him all the time and can't hear him if he is doing it.

He tries to suck air through the vents in the car and even when i have it turned up all the way it's just not the same. He sits there with it blowing in his face and his ears flapping

I tend to do the same when i feel car sick?

[Lablover]

He doesn't seem to have a problem with riding on the ute in his crate. In fact he prefers it. It's me who doesn't like him on the ute.

Have you tried having the crate in your vehicle, as he seems to enjoy it? How do you know he is not yawning (sometimes a sign of stress) etc, if he is in the ute?

Does he seem as stressed when not in the harness?

Thanks for answering Lablover.

Unfortunately the crate won't fit in the car. It is 48 inches and because i travel with the kids there is just no way to put in a smaller one. He grew out of the blue and white airline crate so i had to upgrade and get a wire one.

O/h thinks it is because he feels "at home" in his crate as it is his bed and his sanctuary so we fold it up and take it when we go on overnight trips or trips when we need to use the work ute.

The harness doesn't make a difference because he doesn't always wear it on short trips when he sits on the floor at my feet. I would say that he associates the harness as something exciting.

I'm certain that he is much happier in his crate because he sits on the back sucking in the wind and he looks like he is enjoying himself. I watch him through the back window (I'm a bit paranoid about having him out their even in his secured crate) and he just acts totally different to what he is like inside the car. I have not seen him do the yawning thing but yes obviously i can't watch him all the time and can't hear him if he is doing it.

He tries to suck air through the vents in the car and even when i have it turned up all the way it's just not the same. He sits there with it blowing in his face and his ears flapping

I tend to do the same when i feel car sick?

Does he seem as stressed when a window is open? Is he generally a nervous type?

When I boat fished, I used to read books even in rather large swells, so motion sickness has never been a problem . BTW, I have no doubt he feels comfortable his crate. My dogs love theirs.

[perrin]

It is difficult to tell you exactly what your dog is 'feeling' especially without seeing him. However, not to dismiss anxiety as being a possibility (and yes, perhaps this relates to motion sickness, although this often results in the dog's reluctance to get in the car in the first place), perhaps do a 'trial by elimination'.

Perhaps it is that your dog has high anticipation of something really delightful occurring at the end of the trip (eg. meeting the kids; run in the dog park; etc). Perhaps add in a good mix of very short car trips without anything special occurring. You'll need to do this quite a number of times for your dog to begin to understand that a car trip doesn't mean anything nasty but doesn't necessarily mean anything really exciting either. And the more trips you make where there is something FUN at the end, the more, shall I say, "boring" trips you'll need to make to counter-balance them. In other words, for the sake of this 'trial' and if it is to work, the number of "boring" trips should well and truly outweigh the "fun" trips.

Also, when your dog is vocalising, be sure to not encourage by talking to him or giving him any attention for it.

Now - just to re-address the possibility of anxiety as a result of having been car sick when a pup. That he has no issue being in a crate on the back of the ute could be a clue, but then it also would depend on whether the ute has been used with the frequency you use the car for these 'fun' trips. Also that he is at the back of the ute where inadvertent attention is not so possible. And all the other noises that may well simply take his mind off his behaviour.

I thought the trip to pick up the kids was boring.

I get the idea though and you've given me something to work on/with. Thankyou for taking the time to answer. We do probably do more boring trips when he is in the ute as in drive around in the paddocks and check on stuff where he doesn't get out.

I do mostly ignore him when he is talking but it is rather distracting to have a dog talking in your ear. The squeaks that come out of his mouth are just so odd.

He doesn't always do it. Yesterday he was particularly bad but i think it was because it was windy outside.

Today he was perfectly fine on the drive there and back but whimpered on and off as we waited for the bell to go. He calms down as soon as he sees our son coming to the car? He just seems anxious.

He also keeps looking at me for assurance?

I thought i was being a good person taking him out on trips with us. I would hate to leave him at home so that he misses out on going out with us but if it is upsetting him and he really doesn't like to ride in the car then by all means i will do what is best for him and leave him at home. I will try your experiment and see how we go.

[perrin]

He doesn't seem to have a problem with riding on the ute in his crate. In fact he prefers it. It's me who doesn't like him on the ute.

Have you tried having the crate in your vehicle, as he seems to enjoy it? How do you know he is not yawning (sometimes a sign of stress) etc, if he is in the ute?

Does he seem as stressed when not in the harness?

Thanks for answering Lablover.

Unfortunately the crate won't fit in the car. It is 48 inches and because i travel with the kids there is just no way to put in a smaller one. He grew out of the blue and white airline crate so i had to upgrade and get a wire one.

O/h thinks it is because he feels "at home" in his crate as it is his bed and his sanctuary so we fold it up and take it when we go on overnight trips or trips when we need to use the work ute.

The harness doesn't make a difference because he doesn't always wear it on short trips when he sits on the floor at my feet. I would say that he associates the harness as something exciting.

I'm certain that he is much happier in his crate because he sits on the back sucking in the wind and he looks like he is enjoying himself. I watch him through the back window (I'm a bit paranoid about having him out their even in his secured crate) and he just acts totally different to what he is like inside the car. I have not seen him do the yawning thing but yes obviously i can't watch him all the time and can't hear him if he is doing it.

He tries to suck air through the vents in the car and even when i have it turned up all the way it's just not the same. He sits there with it blowing in his face and his ears flapping

I tend to do the same when i feel car sick?

Does he seem as stressed when a window is open? Is he generally a nervous type?

When I boat fished, I used to read books even in rather large swells, so motion sickness has never been a problem . BTW, I have no doubt he feels comfortable his crate. My dogs love theirs.

He doesn't mind the window open a little but still looks for the aircon even in winter.

I wouldn't call him a nervous dog. He is generally a confident go get em type. Everyone is a friend that he just hasn't met yet.

I don't know if his attitude has anything to do with him being a kelpie? He is the first kelpie i have ever owned. My old dog was a lab who i had for over 15 years. Pho and i are still feeling our way with each other.

[Lablover]

I don't know if his attitude has anything to do with him being a kelpie? He is the first kelpie i have ever owned. My old dog was a lab who i had for over 15 years. Pho and i are still feeling our way with each other.

I bet he settles down. Young and a kelpie........aaaaaa haaaaa, makes more sense now.

[wuffles]

Our dog acts in a similar way and I'm the same as you, unsure what it really means. Ours is a generally nervous dog however, and does nervous yawns and whines until he finally lies down and settles. But like yours, he is so happy to get in the car. Anyway, thanks for asking as the replies have been helpful!

[Lablover]

Our dog acts in a similar way and I'm the same as you, unsure what it really means. Ours is a generally nervous dog however, and does nervous yawns and whines until he finally lies down and settles. But like yours, he is so happy to get in the car. Anyway, thanks for asking as the replies have been helpful!

Remember guys and gals, goodness I dislike saying this......be a confident pack leader. Do not mummy a nervous dog or praise/enforce incorrectly. That being said, I do not think there is one trainer on earth who has not made mistakes with their dogs.

How I laughed one day, many moons ago when a wolf reseacher commented, if you seen one wolf you seen them all. Nevertheless a nervous dog's temperament can be difficult to change. Just like a human!

[wuffles]

Remember guys and gals, goodness I dislike saying this......be a confident pack leader. Do not mummy a nervous dog or praise/enforce incorrectly. That being said, I do not think there is one trainer on earth who has not made mistakes with their dogs.

Lablover, we don't coddle him when he is whining in the car... on one trip he had been quiet and settled for a few minutes so only then did I turn around to give him a pat... and realised he was munching on the seatbelt and had chewed half through it :rolleyes: