Hello Leerburgers! Long time no post......

My ACDx, Pinker, is basically quite a fearful guy. With a lot of work, years, and Leerburg help he's become a great herding dog and partner.

This summer, I rolled my pickup. Pinker flew out the window, but was otherwise unhurt. We were lucky.
Now, when we ride in our new 3/4 ton pickup, he has trouble relaxing. If it gets bumpy at all, he's up on all 4s with his nails out, like a dog unaccustomed to a slick floor. He still wants to go along, but it's been months, and he's not getting over it.
Suggestions?

Missed you Betty!

Have you tried feeding him while the truck just sits?

Work up to feeding while the engine is running but sitting still.

Engine running while moving very slow.

Or just get him used to jumping in and out with markers and reward calm behavior.

Go from there!

You've done miracles with Pinker in the past. No reason you cant handle this.

Thanks, Bob.
Pink is ok, relaxed, unless we are on a bumpy road. The new pickup, diesel, 3/4 ton, has really tight suspension..Drives like a rock wagon..
He is fine on the interstate, or in town. When it is time to go, he jumps right in.

But if the ride gets bumpy, he jumps up, eyes bug out, nails come out....wants to jump in my lap....
He is like, " oh, brother, she's gonna FLIP ! "

If I give him a treat At that time, wouldn't I be reinforcing that fear emotion? Like making over a dog during a thunderstorm?

My very first thought was just what Bob has suggested -- Drive normally to a pre- planned place ... Just BEFORE the ride gets bumpy, give Pinker a big "steak" to work on & then get to BUMPING along. Repeat the process on a daily basis, as possible -- The high-value feeding serves to DISTRACT him from his "demons" with something Happy to Focus on INSTEAD of fear ... See how that works

I really like Candi's "before" suggestion.

That could also possibly work if Pinker has a high drive for a Kong, ball, etc.

Great suggestions.....I know where the road gets bumpy. We will work on that, thanks!

 Quote: Bob Scott

I really like Candi's "before" suggestion.

That could also possibly work if Pinker has a high drive for a Kong, ball, etc.

That would be CHEAPER than "filet mignon" if it works Fingers crossed !!!

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

Great suggestions.....I know where the road gets bumpy. We will work on that, thanks!

Slow over those bumps young lady!

I agree with Bob and Candi above, and I'll add a couple cents more.

I know the conventional wisdom is that we should not coddle or reward our dogs when they are displaying discomfort in a fearful situation, and I'm sure that is good advice for certain scenarios. I have personal experience with a couple of sound-sensitive dogs (the furnace blower coming on at the dog training building, the big dryers that come on at the end of the drive-through car wash, thunderstorms, etc.).

With my dogs, in these particular situations, I have found that ignoring them exacerbates the fear, but if I talk to them in a calm but happy tone of voice, offer tasty treats, and otherwise distract them, they improve and have mostly gotten over those particular fears. I don't use baby-talk or make a big deal of it, just a normal conversational tone of voice and a comforting touch (which may not be possible in the vehicle).

I know in your situation, you are dealing with not just a sound, but the vibration and turbulence Pinker feels on bumpy roads. You know your dog very well, and you will be able to figure out pretty quickly if feeding and/or and talking to him at the time it's happening is helping or not. Boy, that sounds like it was a scary accident. I hope you were not seriously injured.