i don't drive a lot because i don't have a car, but every once in a while i rent one, and take the dog along. most of the time though, i will use the car for a road trip to visit my parents or something, and bring her along. i drove down (7 hour drive) recently, and brought her, and for the most part she does okay in the car. loves to look out the windows. doesn't really like being left in the back seat though, she wants to know everything that is going on!

anyway, the only thing that really gets me, is that when we start to slow down and make turns (for instance, taking an exit, stopping at a gas station etc,) she will start whining, and panting frantically and jumping around like she HAS to get out. She doesn't seem excited in a "oh yippee we have arrived at our destination" type thing, it seems more of a "omg omg don't get out of the car without me~"

we got really close to my parents house and she just layed on the seat shaking really hard and crying. i'm not sure what to do, other than ignore it. there is not much i can do WHILE i am driving unless there is someone else in the car with us. then maybe i could work on calming her down.

any ideas?

I really and truly feel you need to put her in a crate. She will be safer and feel more secure.

If you owned a car or could regularly borrow one, there are a ton of ways to desensitise her, but she would still need to be secured while driving...

Can you get a car on a regular basis for this?

Or you could get her a booster seat!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3099441&l=92589e1649&id=630190844

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

In all seriousness, I agree with getting her a crate. Neb used a soft-sided one for trips when he was that size and it worked great.

Crate, definitely.

Also, do you have a driving friend who would take you and the dog (in the crate) along sometimes? There could be stops where the friend gets out and you do not, and stops where you AND the dog get out, and where you (rather than actively soothing, petting, etc.) are 100% calm and carefree throughout, instilling the idea in the dog that this is nothing at all to worry about.

'Nother vote for the crate.

Take special rides that don't have a destination. Make stops. Find a neighborhood that you have to drive slow and make a lot of turns.

Heck, you don't even really have to leave the driveway. Just get in the car with the dog and don't go ANYWHERE.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

Take special rides that don't have a destination. Make stops. Find a neighborhood that you have to drive slow and make a lot of turns.

Heck, you don't even really have to leave the driveway. Just get in the car with the dog and don't go ANYWHERE.

She doesn't own a car...

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

 Quote: Michael_Wise

Take special rides that don't have a destination. Make stops. Find a neighborhood that you have to drive slow and make a lot of turns.

Heck, you don't even really have to leave the driveway. Just get in the car with the dog and don't go ANYWHERE.

She doesn't own a car...

Well, stealing one for this might not be good.

But I betcha a friend would help with the driveway part!

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

She doesn't own a car...

Yeah. I should've clarified.

Go to the mall parking lot and start lookin' for cars that the owners left unlocked.






That was a joke. I'd probably go to a church parking lot instead. They'll be more forgiving.

lol... well i use zip car (a car you can rent by the hour), so I could do little hour long sessions with her every once in a while.

re: the crate...heh does it matter that she isn't exactly crate trained? or does it matter?

For her comfort, I'd work on that at home. BUT for the car rides , no. It is not about what she wants, but what is safe for her.

A dog loose in a car is dangerous on so many levels...

It will also stop her from a) seeing what is going on around her and getting worried b)working her self up by pacing and c)if she is comfortable in one, it can be a familiar place for her to relax while driving around.