Dog anxiety when travelling- think I've tried everything...

[hairycabbage]

Our dog is elderly and has always hated the car. She isn't sick or aggressive, just stands and pants, getting more and more distressed the entire time no matter what we do.
She's getting older now and it's harder to leave her with dog boarders etc so we'd much prefer to take her with us when we go on holiday.
We've tried positive reinforcement, building up from shorter journeys, thunder shirt, sitting in the back, sitting in the boot, her crate in the boot, doggy rescue remedy and mild herbal sedatives but nothing has any effect. We spoke to the vet and he suggested sedatives but said it isn't doing her any physical harm so we should just let her react like that 😕

If anyone has any tips please do share!

Have you done positive association with the car?

So start by allowing her to just be around the car, then build up to her getting in and spending time in the car without it moving, and then continuing to short journeys etc.

Yes, we did that. She's absolutely fine in the car until the engine starts- we started with really short drives to the end of the road and a reward at the end but despite persistence she still panics whenever it starts moving..

Oh, bless her.

Have you tried covering up the view completely she has so she can't panic or get excited about things moving outside?

What happens if she sits in the front?

Thanks, appreciate your reply! We've tried using her covered crate in the boot and in the front but still the same response. It's as if she goes into stress mode and nothing can snap her out of it, not treats or human attention and that usually solves everything! She doesn't even look out the window (tried with window open and closed), just fixes her stance, shakes, pants and drools!

My dog was like this until I got him a dog car seat that part- encloses him, but he can still see out of. It seems to make him feel more secure. He still whines a bit when the engine starts, but now jumps readily into the car (it was a struggle to get him in before). We are happy with the set-up now, and can go places together. He is on the passenger seat next to me.

I'd try that but it's tricky because we have three dc and she's a greyhound so takes up a lot of space 😂. Nothing else bothers her, not fireworks or weather- just moving vehicles.

@GameofPhones

My dog was like this until I got him a dog car seat that part- encloses him, but he can still see out of. It seems to make him feel more secure. He still whines a bit when the engine starts, but now jumps readily into the car (it was a struggle to get him in before). We are happy with the set-up now, and can go places together. He is on the passenger seat next to me.

Where was you partially covered dog bed from?

Smell works wonders on anxious dogs.

Take a car mat from the car - one that smells of the car and put her food bowl on it. It needs to be away from the car indoors is fine .

Feed her on it for a week or two.

(If she backs off from the mat then move the mat away until she is happy and gradually over the days bring it nearer to her food)

Over a few weeks the mat smell will mean great things and she will be happier in the car. For me smelling coconut sun tan lotion will always take me back to fab holidays - this is the same idea for your dogs

If when doing this you limit car journeys it will be more effective.Put the mat back in the car after feeding so the scent from the car will remain strong.

Munkeyface I got it from Amazon.

Monkey face this is the one. If I were buying again I would get one of the similar tougher-looking ones that are a bit more expensive. Also the zips on mine were awkward to use at first, but eventually got the knack of it.

@PollyRoulllson

Smell works wonders on anxious dogs.

Take a car mat from the car - one that smells of the car and put her food bowl on it. It needs to be away from the car indoors is fine .

Feed her on it for a week or two.

(If she backs off from the mat then move the mat away until she is happy and gradually over the days bring it nearer to her food)

Over a few weeks the mat smell will mean great things and she will be happier in the car. For me smelling coconut sun tan lotion will always take me back to fab holidays - this is the same idea for your dogs

If when doing this you limit car journeys it will be more effective.Put the mat back in the car after feeding so the scent from the car will remain strong.

I will try that; thanks. I think it's more difficult because she gets in the car quite happily and if we stop for any reason she's fine then- it's only when the car is actually moving.