1)To calm the dog.
Diet. Avoid canned and semi-moist foods as these usually contain preservatives and artificial colours that cause some dogs to become overexcited. An increase in the protein content of the diet to 30% or more results in a calmer dog. To bring the protein to this level feed a good quality food, such as Precise, and increase the protein by adding meat, chicken, fish or cooked egg to the diet daily.
Feeding. Feed the dog twice a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. If car sickness is a problem, do not give food or water within four hours of the trip.
Basic training. A dog may get over-excited in a car either because of fear or because it has a dominant personality and resents the loss of control it has when confined in the car. Both conditions will be helped enormously by a regular program of training at least to the sit, down, stay, heel and come stage. If the dog is already at this stage still spend five minutes twice a day going over the commands already learnt and adding new ones. It is essential that you have the dog on a leash so you can give a command once and praise or give treats when obeyed. If you are not immediately obeyed, repeat the command again while forcing the dominant dog into position or gently pushing the timid dog and then praising. Every time the dog obeys or is made to obey you, it reinforces your position as leader in the dog's mind. During this time you should not give commands under conditions that allow the dog to disobey you without correction. With a timid dog, the presence of the person it regards as leader reduces its anxiety; with the dominant dog the loss of its dominance means that it will accept the confines of the car in obedience to its leader. For both types of dog, establishing the owner's leadership role leads to obedience to commands such as sit, stay, be quiet given while travelling.
2) Desensitizing to travel.
Attitude. When approaching the car speak to the dog in a happy, upbeat manner using a phrase such as "Let's go for a ride" that he will associate with the car. Entice him to enter the car.
Program. At first let the dog sniff round the car and leave when it pleases. Repeat until the dog relaxes, then softly close the door. When this is accepted, start the engine but do not move. Later drive down the driveway, let the dog out, wait a minute then ask the dog to get back in and back up the driveway. If the dog refuses to get back in, leave it and try again tomorrow. Extend this to driving one block and later a mile or so three or four times a day. At the end of each short drive plan a pleasurable activity for the dog -- a walk, its meal or a ball game. Such a program usually desensitizes a dog in six weeks.
Fearful dogs. Be careful not to sympathise with the dog as the dog will hear the "whine" in your voice and become more anxious. Instead, use a happy voice and your hands to distract the dog.
Barking, overexcited dogs. Provide a non-slippery place where the dog can lie down and command it to stay there. The dog should not be free to race around the car. Either use a harness that is attached to the seat or place the dog in a travelling crate. In the beginning have someone seated in the back seat beside the dog. Try to stop the barking by scolding the dog in a low voice and keep the dog lying down. If the dog is too excited to be controlled in this way, scold and spray the mouth with a vinegar/water solution each time it barks. At first, drive short distances at a very slow speed, stopping frequently to allow the dog to relax and be praised if it has been quiet. With time increase the speed, keeping the distances short. The driver should take over the verbal commands to the dog, with the helper there to enforce them. The next step is for the helper to be in the front seat and later, if the dog is quiet under instruction from the driver, a helper should not be necessary.
Restraint. In general it is wise to restrain dogs in cars both for their own safety and for the safety of passengers in an accident. Travelling crates are one method but could not be used with a claustrophobic dog. There are now harnesses on the market which secure the dog to the seat belt on the back seat. Opening the window a few inches near a claustrophobic dog may help but it should not be able to put its head out.
Car sickness. Reducing anxiety as described usually cures car sickness. Some dogs are helped if they cannot see out by being in a crate or travelling in the passenger foot space.
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