Puppy HATES to ride in the car! What?

[LillyLover]

Lilly is about 2 1/2 months old. I'm not perfectly sure of her age because she is a pound puppy. She gets very upset riding in the car. I have a long driveway and have done test runs going only 5 miles per hour for 2/10 ths of a mile while she protests. I've never had a dog or puppy that did not LOVE to ride in the car. Outside of continuing to do the driveway trip trying to get her to calm down, I'm at a loss. She seems to do O.K if I put her in the bed of a pick-up that has a camper shell. She is placed in the shell in her crate. The crate is tied down so it will not move going around corners. Otherwise, she is a very happy little girl and has adapted very well to house and crate training. Any ideas? Thank You, LillyLover

 

[Dulce Pit Bull]

I'd think that putting her in the back by herself in a camper shell is what's upsetting her.

You JUST got her, and she's still adjusting, and I'm sure it's very scary for her.

Is there anyway you could keep her up in the front with you? With a belted harness? I'm sure no dogs WANTS to be in the back of a camper shell. Thats no fun.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Dulce made a few good points.

One, you just got the pup... admist everything else going on, she's in the car and she is unsure of herself.

Two, it takes time. We were lucky with Buddy, we picked him up and had to drive three hours to get home... he's loved the car ever since. Banzai not so much. But he gets through it.

Three, my dogs are IN the vehicle with us and are secured via a seat belt harness. I'm sure my boys would hate riding in the car or truck if they were put in the back also. Just a thought.

Good luck with her. She's still young so do not worry too much.

 

[bubbatd]

Poor baby !!! Forget the shell and the cage ! Have someone drive you or bring someone to hold her !! At this point , I think her trust in you is of up most importance . Even driving up and down your driveway with you in the front seat will give her confidence. I can remember having two crates in my wagon to take litters to the vets for shots etc .... needed ear plugs !!! Car rides have to be pleasant experiences . One of my pups was picked up in Indiana to go to Florida. The new owner at my recommendation had a crate in the front seat with her . After 200 miles of howling and crying she put the empty crate in the back and the pup snuggled next to her the rest of the way . Chancey ? Yes ...but one happy pup and owner .

 

[Tracer Tong]

Make the car the most fascinating and rewarding place to be. Slowly of course.

Eat meals in the car. Do lap time in the car. Give treats in the car. Slowly build to having the car moving.

 

[Herschel]

Have someone hold her until she is a little bit older!!

Then, use this:

http://www.immioutdoors.com/petbuckle/

 

[LillyLover]

Hello and Thank You for the ideas. I resorted to putting her in the back of the truck so I could get her to the Vet for her first shot. It is a little difficult for me to find someone to drive while I hold her. I live alone way out of town also my neighbors are almost never home. I do have her in a seat belt harness sitting next to me when we do the driveway trip. The idea of sitting with her in the truck and cuddling with treats sounds like it will help. We've been working on this for five weeks which may be a short amount of time all things considered. I hesitate to let her in my lap while driving because it is so distracting but may try that on our driveway trips. The worst that can happen is that I take out a few fence posts. Thanks Again, LillyLover

 

[Doberluv]

I hesitate to let her in my lap while driving because it is so distracting but may try that on our driveway trips. The worst that can happen is that I take out a few fence posts. Thanks Again, LillyLover

Yes, it would be unsafe to drive with her in your lap. I think she should be harnessed in the seat or in a small crate. Don't coo and make a big fuss over her when she whines. You may reinforce that whining more. You've been given good advice. Another thing you can try is driving a short distance to someplace where she gets to have a really fun time, special place to take a little walk, some good treats, some extra fun playtime. Do it every day so she'll associate going in the car with a really good time. Do it a lot. She'll get use to it in time. Don't worry.

 

[bubbatd]

You know , she could have had a very bad experience during her 8th week , which is the " fear factor " week . Bad experiences during that week of development can really last .