Scared to death in a car.... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

erino77 · 05-08-2008, 05:20 PM

I just don't know what to do.

Kammie is 7 mos old now and she still can't travel. And when i say travel I mean like to town and back! 12 miles each way! The second the car starts she starts shaking uncontrollably and panting. By the time we get 5 minutes down the road she starts "yawning" and basically drooling non-stop. Also her breath gets horrible smelling. I keep a bottle of water in the car and whenever we get to where were stopping at I give her some. 3 times now she has thrown up before we got back home and the trips are never more than 30-45 minutes. I have tried taking her once every 2-3 weeks on short rides and she just can't get over it. Is she maybe just a Yorkie who can't go on rides? Is it panic attacks of some sorts? Sugar dropping?
Any help, insight or ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Also Koda goes about evey other time with her and she is no diff if he is there as company or not

Yorkiedaze · 05-08-2008, 05:23 PM

Maybe take her for more frequent but shorter rides. You could also give her four drops of Rescue Remedy about 45 minutes before you leave. It will calm her and it's not medication. It's all natural herbs.

erino77 · 05-08-2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Maybe take her for more frequent but shorter rides. You could also give her four drops of Rescue Remedy about 45 minutes before you leave. It will calm her and it's not medication. It's all natural herbs.

Would I find this at a Petco or regular pet store type of place?
TIA!

TootiesMom · 05-08-2008, 05:29 PM

Hope is 2 years old and STILL freaks in the car... I bring her on a lot of short trips just to keep trying but she still cant handle it... my dear friend who helped me buy her lives about an hour away and I can never take her there to visit... he has to come here....
she still wont let me leave the house without her but she hates the car....

I hope you can get yours to learn to like it.
d

Chinkerbell · 05-08-2008, 06:04 PM

Bentley was like that for a first couple months when I brought him home. He would throw up and shake even if we drove around for less than 10 min. The only advice I would say is keep taking her on short rides maybe once a week. She will probably get used to it eventually. Bentley LOVES LOVES going for rides now and sticking his head out the window.

Try to make it a postive experience for her. Maybe get her a car booster seat?? That way she can look out the window and get fresh air. That might prevent car sickness. Good luck with your baby!

winstonw · 05-08-2008, 06:46 PM

Winston is 7 months old too and I have been trying to figure out something similiar with him concerning the car. He always wants to go though so I think he likes it, unless it is because he is panicking if he doesn't go, I wont be there. When I get him in the car driving he shakes and cries, but like I said he always jumps in and wants to go. One thing I have been wondering about with him, is if my air conditioning or just fan is making him cold?? I have tried it off and on, and I don't see a huge difference. Sorry I don't have any great suggestions.

sandyapk · 05-09-2008, 02:49 AM

You can find it at whole foods, or a health food store in your area that sells vitamins.

cyndi03 · 05-09-2008, 07:18 AM

Well, I had the same problem with my Lulu. She was just terrified of the car - she started shivering as soon as we got in the car & once we started driving well she would just flip out panting, crying, wiggling to escape - I really thought for sure she was never going to be able to enjoy driving. She never did throw up like your little one so I'm not sure if maybe the motion makes Kammie sick & she is now nervous of feeling that way again?

I called a trainer when she was about 7 or 8 months old & she gave me some good ideas for if it's just nervousness. She told me to take it really really slow to get her use to the car. I started by walking around the outside of the car & I built her a little ramp so she could go in & out of the car if she decided. I used toys & food to lure her into the car & when she got in then there was lots of praise. I let her walk up & down the ramp - in the car then out of the car & always away from the car afterwards. Once she was comfortable getting in the car, I started get her used to closing the door of the car, then once she showed no nervousness, I started to just sit in the car with her & play games, eat her lunch there. Then getting her used to the keys being put in the ingition, once she was okay with that, then I would start the car (this took about a week or more for her to be okay with that one), then getting her use to the car being put in gear, then going up & down the driveway, then going around the block, then driving slowly around the neighborhood, then driving to her favorite park so she can play, then driving a little faster, etc.

I tried to not let her get into that nervous panic mode anymore & make the car the best place ever.

It must have taken me about a month for her to be able to go on a drive of any distance without her being nervous. I took it in tiny baby steps but then all of a sudden she just got it - the car is a good thing.

She's now about 10 months old & she can go for rides & enjoys looking out the window & smelling the air. Hopefully your little one will get used to the car soon : )

Good Luck!

HallTx1203 · 05-09-2008, 07:30 AM

This is a good question...Ben is a little over a yr and he still gets car sick....We can count on him throwing up at least twice per trip....He did it coming home from the breeder and nothing has changed since...Poor Thing....Now, Barney at a little over a yr has finally grown out of it and he is learning that the car is usually fun....And Tia did great her first car ride...

Will definitely check into the Rescue Remedy

Joyce

ranedrops · 05-09-2008, 03:40 PM

[QUOTE=Chinkerbell;1975882] Maybe get her a car booster seat?? That way she can look out the window and get fresh air. That might prevent car sickness. QUOTE]

This is a good idea. When Daisy was young she used to cry the moment the car started to move. What helped her out was taking her for short rides and allow her to see out the window while the car ws moving. At first my hubby would hold her in his arms so she could see while he petted her, telling her it ws OK. Then we got her a booster seat whichs he totally loves. Now, if you ask her if she wants to go in the car she goes bananas and can't get in the car quick enough.

Nikki+2 · 05-09-2008, 03:52 PM

I'll be watching this thread like a hawk. Gracie and Sugar do great in the car but my daughter's little Spike sounds just like your Kammie except the drooling. I tried Benedryl first. He had the opposite reaction and went nuts. I've tried several herbal relaxers. They stop the shaking but he still pants and looks scared. It's like they relax his body but not his mind. Then the vet prescribed Valium. The worst thing I tried by far! This was recent and I didn't post about it but he had the opposite reaction and it was like he was crazy on speed. He had zero coordination but he was working in fast forward. Just jumping at your leg made him fall and he was acting crazy- very wild eyed and hyper. We ended up closing him in his stroller so he couldn't hurt himself.. It was really scarey.

Spike is also afraid of thunderstorms which is why we tried the valium that night. At this point I'm going to deal with the phobias with the herbal supplements that don't help that much because the "fixes" have been worse.

Potter · 05-09-2008, 04:02 PM

Pao was like that when he was a puppy. What we did was bring him for a short car ride) 5-10 minutes at least 3 times a week and gradually build up from there. He does fine now. No more throwing up.

Yorkiedaze · 05-09-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erino77

Would I find this at a Petco or regular pet store type of place?
TIA!

It's sold in the Vitamin stores as well.

Reese1 · 05-09-2008, 05:42 PM

Camden threw up three times when we brought her home the first time!
The poor thing has been to the vet twice in the first week we had her and she threw up coming and going both times!
We figure she had never really been in a car before and she's two years old!
So we are going to take the advice of alot of people here and try short car trips and build up from there, I really hope she can get over this! It's so sad!

stedmansmommy · 05-09-2008, 05:55 PM

I'm right there with ya hon! My babies HATE car rides. Well actually, I don't know if it's that Stedman "hates" it cause he gets EXTREMELY excited when he knows that we are going to take him somewhere, but he just totally goes nuts when he's in the car. His tongue hangs out and he whines and yawns LITERALLY every 5 seconds. He cannot sit still. Tatum cries and cries and cries like a little baby and FREEZES in my lap....she will not move an inch, she acts scared to death

05-08-2008, 05:20 PM	#1
erino77 Currently Suspended! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,503	Scared to death in a car.... I just don't know what to do. Kammie is 7 mos old now and she still can't travel. And when i say travel I mean like to town and back! 12 miles each way! The second the car starts she starts shaking uncontrollably and panting. By the time we get 5 minutes down the road she starts "yawning" and basically drooling non-stop. Also her breath gets horrible smelling. I keep a bottle of water in the car and whenever we get to where were stopping at I give her some. 3 times now she has thrown up before we got back home and the trips are never more than 30-45 minutes. I have tried taking her once every 2-3 weeks on short rides and she just can't get over it. Is she maybe just a Yorkie who can't go on rides? Is it panic attacks of some sorts? Sugar dropping? Any help, insight or ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated Also Koda goes about evey other time with her and she is no diff if he is there as company or not

05-08-2008, 05:29 PM	#4
TootiesMom and Hopeys Mom Too Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,109	Hope is 2 years old and STILL freaks in the car... I bring her on a lot of short trips just to keep trying but she still cant handle it... my dear friend who helped me buy her lives about an hour away and I can never take her there to visit... he has to come here.... she still wont let me leave the house without her but she hates the car.... I hope you can get yours to learn to like it. d __________________ Donna's little herd.... Tooties Dogster http://www.dogster.com/?271687 Hopeys Dogster http://www.dogster.com/?448723 and Tinker, TBone(RIP) Laci .. OH, and Me-Kitty(RIP)

05-08-2008, 06:04 PM	#5
Chinkerbell Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 124	Bentley was like that for a first couple months when I brought him home. He would throw up and shake even if we drove around for less than 10 min. The only advice I would say is keep taking her on short rides maybe once a week. She will probably get used to it eventually. Bentley LOVES LOVES going for rides now and sticking his head out the window. Try to make it a postive experience for her. Maybe get her a car booster seat?? That way she can look out the window and get fresh air. That might prevent car sickness. Good luck with your baby! __________________ Bentley and Louie's Mommy

05-08-2008, 06:46 PM	#6
winstonw Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Boonville, IN Posts: 2,018	Winston is 7 months old too and I have been trying to figure out something similiar with him concerning the car. He always wants to go though so I think he likes it, unless it is because he is panicking if he doesn't go, I wont be there. When I get him in the car driving he shakes and cries, but like I said he always jumps in and wants to go. One thing I have been wondering about with him, is if my air conditioning or just fan is making him cold?? I have tried it off and on, and I don't see a huge difference. Sorry I don't have any great suggestions. __________________ Winston Packer & Pokey Proud member of the CrAzYcLuB Winston Abby

05-09-2008, 02:49 AM	#7
sandyapk Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: at home Posts: 515	rescue remedy You can find it at whole foods, or a health food store in your area that sells vitamins.

05-08-2008, 05:23 PM	#2
Yorkiedaze My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca. Posts: 12,228	Maybe take her for more frequent but shorter rides. You could also give her four drops of Rescue Remedy about 45 minutes before you leave. It will calm her and it's not medication. It's all natural herbs.

05-09-2008, 07:18 AM	#8
cyndi03 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 15	Well, I had the same problem with my Lulu. She was just terrified of the car - she started shivering as soon as we got in the car & once we started driving well she would just flip out panting, crying, wiggling to escape - I really thought for sure she was never going to be able to enjoy driving. She never did throw up like your little one so I'm not sure if maybe the motion makes Kammie sick & she is now nervous of feeling that way again? I called a trainer when she was about 7 or 8 months old & she gave me some good ideas for if it's just nervousness. She told me to take it really really slow to get her use to the car. I started by walking around the outside of the car & I built her a little ramp so she could go in & out of the car if she decided. I used toys & food to lure her into the car & when she got in then there was lots of praise. I let her walk up & down the ramp - in the car then out of the car & always away from the car afterwards. Once she was comfortable getting in the car, I started get her used to closing the door of the car, then once she showed no nervousness, I started to just sit in the car with her & play games, eat her lunch there. Then getting her used to the keys being put in the ingition, once she was okay with that, then I would start the car (this took about a week or more for her to be okay with that one), then getting her use to the car being put in gear, then going up & down the driveway, then going around the block, then driving slowly around the neighborhood, then driving to her favorite park so she can play, then driving a little faster, etc. I tried to not let her get into that nervous panic mode anymore & make the car the best place ever. It must have taken me about a month for her to be able to go on a drive of any distance without her being nervous. I took it in tiny baby steps but then all of a sudden she just got it - the car is a good thing. She's now about 10 months old & she can go for rides & enjoys looking out the window & smelling the air. Hopefully your little one will get used to the car soon : ) Good Luck! __________________ Cyndi, Lulu, & Maggie

05-09-2008, 07:30 AM	#9
HallTx1203 Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CENTRAL TEXAS Posts: 1,867	This is a good question...Ben is a little over a yr and he still gets car sick....We can count on him throwing up at least twice per trip....He did it coming home from the breeder and nothing has changed since...Poor Thing....Now, Barney at a little over a yr has finally grown out of it and he is learning that the car is usually fun....And Tia did great her first car ride... Will definitely check into the Rescue Remedy Joyce

05-09-2008, 03:40 PM	#10
ranedrops Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 518	[QUOTE=Chinkerbell;1975882] Maybe get her a car booster seat?? That way she can look out the window and get fresh air. That might prevent car sickness. QUOTE] This is a good idea. When Daisy was young she used to cry the moment the car started to move. What helped her out was taking her for short rides and allow her to see out the window while the car ws moving. At first my hubby would hold her in his arms so she could see while he petted her, telling her it ws OK. Then we got her a booster seat whichs he totally loves. Now, if you ask her if she wants to go in the car she goes bananas and can't get in the car quick enough. __________________ Luv my DaisyWaisy!

05-09-2008, 03:52 PM	#11
Nikki+2 I heart Sugar Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7,373	I'll be watching this thread like a hawk. Gracie and Sugar do great in the car but my daughter's little Spike sounds just like your Kammie except the drooling. I tried Benedryl first. He had the opposite reaction and went nuts. I've tried several herbal relaxers. They stop the shaking but he still pants and looks scared. It's like they relax his body but not his mind. Then the vet prescribed Valium. The worst thing I tried by far! This was recent and I didn't post about it but he had the opposite reaction and it was like he was crazy on speed. He had zero coordination but he was working in fast forward. Just jumping at your leg made him fall and he was acting crazy- very wild eyed and hyper. We ended up closing him in his stroller so he couldn't hurt himself.. It was really scarey. Spike is also afraid of thunderstorms which is why we tried the valium that night. At this point I'm going to deal with the phobias with the herbal supplements that don't help that much because the "fixes" have been worse. __________________ "If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." — St. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226

05-09-2008, 04:02 PM	#12
Potter YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,583	Pao was like that when he was a puppy. What we did was bring him for a short car ride) 5-10 minutes at least 3 times a week and gradually build up from there. He does fine now. No more throwing up. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=410379 "No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."

05-09-2008, 05:42 PM	#14
Reese1 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,304	Camden threw up three times when we brought her home the first time! The poor thing has been to the vet twice in the first week we had her and she threw up coming and going both times! We figure she had never really been in a car before and she's two years old! So we are going to take the advice of alot of people here and try short car trips and build up from there, I really hope she can get over this! It's so sad! __________________ Crosley Wrigley Camden

05-09-2008, 05:55 PM	#15
stedmansmommy I Love My Lil' Punkin's Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Stedman and Tatum's World :) Posts: 15,331 Blog Entries: 5	I'm right there with ya hon! My babies HATE car rides. Well actually, I don't know if it's that Stedman "hates" it cause he gets EXTREMELY excited when he knows that we are going to take him somewhere, but he just totally goes nuts when he's in the car. His tongue hangs out and he whines and yawns LITERALLY every 5 seconds. He cannot sit still. Tatum cries and cries and cries like a little baby and FREEZES in my lap....she will not move an inch, she acts scared to death __________________ Mommy Loves Stedman and Tatum! They have us wrapped around their little paws!