Car problems!

[mlsouza79]

We are having problems in the car with our 15 1/2 week puppy, Jager. He usually is ok for the first few minutes in the car, but then will start going crazy. He will try biting whoever is near him, barking, and growling. He gets mean. The only thing that calms him is when he gets to stick his head out the window, but sometimes that is not always possible. We have taken him in the car frequently since we got him at 8 weeks, but he is still not used to it. We have only had a few good rides with him. Any suggestions?
Our breeder told us to just tie his leash to the seatbelt. We have tried holding him and also one of the dog seatbelts, but he somehow wiggled his way out of it. Is there something better we can do for the car?

 

[apollosdad]

you can use a harness especially made for transporting dogs in a car. you can also try using a plastic kennel. i know the latter option might become difficult as he grows larger and it requires more space. if you own an suv, the latter might be a better solution. you can also try taking shorter trips with him in order to help him get more used to traveling. you mentioned that your dog is fine at the beginning of the trip. try taking him for small trips around the block and let them end before he becomes unpleasant. gradually increase the trips by a few minutes or so and let him get used to the car slowly.

 

[Jan]

I have always kenneled my dogs when they were pups. As only a med sized kennel will fit in my car, they eventually will outgrow it. By the time that they do they are more relaxed in the car. A doggy seatbelt would be another option and will keep them in the back seat. Letting them them stick there head out the window can cause eye injuries and really isn't a good idea. I would try the doggy seatbelt again. They shouldn't be able to get out of it, as long as it fits.

Good luck!

 

[sandy's mom]

You can also have someone sit in the back seat with your pup and when he is good and sitting, give him a treat and praise him. That has worked with Napoleon, he had never been in a car before I got him, now he sits in the back seat and just looks around. It took a while, but it was worth it.

 

[mlsouza79]

Thanks

Thank you for all of your responses. I bought Jager a new harness seatbelt for the car. So far we have only made one trip in it, but he did a good job.

 

[mlsouza79]

Tricky Puppy

Well Jager did well on the first couple rides with the seatbelt, but last night on our way to puppy class he got out of it. It is like a harness and somehow he got both legs out of it. We have tried sitting and holding him, but he will just end up barking and biting at us. We have tried giving him treats for good behavior and also using his Kong as a distraction. Nothing seems to last for very long. Any other suggestions before I try buying a crate?

 

[apollosdad]

could you try resizing the harnass in order to make it a more secure fit? if he was able to get free from it somehow, it must have not been a proper fit.

 

[basak]

It took a very long time for Krose to get used to the car.
I could not crate him, could not find a seatbelt in this country for dogs for a long time!!!!!!, so it was hard.
But be patient, he even sleeps in the long trips now

basak