Shaking and Trembling

[allenj]

When we travel in the car with our Yorkie he shakes and pants non stop.
What is the reason and what can we do to stop the shaking and panting

[Wylie's Mom]

Do you mean for long trips...? For those, some people do need to use tranquilizers.

[matese]

Welcome to YT. Do you a booster seat. If not it may be a good investment to get one. If he can see out windows, maybe that will stop the shaking and panting.

[Jkpal]

I'd make sure that he's physically comfortable, so after making sure he's 'done his business,' but has a little something in his tummy, perhaps you could go for short jaunts...? Just enough time in car to settle a bit and then home. I'd keep an eye on him, but try to be subtle about it; don't let him know his behavior is causing you concern as doing so may aggravate his little nerves. In addition, always let him know what's up and happily announce that you're going for a ride in the car; again, no big deal. By all means engage him with comments and questions during your outing because listening to you may calm him and also distract him. Seems he's basically ok (not bouncing all over the place, no excessive barking) and hopefully you can condition him to the car so it doesn't become a crazy "thing" for any of you!

[yavenay]

my yorkie requires a mild sedative for long car rides.......she hates riding in cars but the mild sedative relaxes her enough so that she is at least able to sit still. I gave her a mild sedative for our 12 hour car ride to Nashville and she was pretty relaxed the entire ride.

For short rides, she is able to go about 20 minutes or so before her anxiety kicks in. Once it kicks in, she starts whining and can't relaxed. She's buckled in the back seat so that makes it even worse because she wants to jump in the front seat with mommy but can't

[Jkpal]

Wow! Mellow for 12 hour car trip? That is awesome---she did much better than I probably would have...!!

[canana]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

Wow! Mellow for 12 hour car trip? That is awesome---she did much better than I probably would have...!!

you crack me up!
but ditto!!

Allenj, I'm curious how long the car rides are as well. If they're just short rides, perhaps he's just anxious and nervous? When both of mine started riding in the car they were anxious too. Instead of shaking, they both either barked or were whining. It took some conditioning before they started riding comfortably and quietly.

Maybe try giving him his favourite toy during the ride? Or a yummy chew?
I put both of mine in their carriers for their comfort and more importantly for their safety (I buckle the carriers into the seat). But as Matese suggested, start with short trips and talk to him in a soothing voice to calm him down.

[allenj]

Thank you everyone for the feedback