Can I teach Sophie to like riding in the car?

[claire]

Hello, everyone!

I haven't been on the forum for quite a while, but am hoping to get some good advice.

Here's my situation: Sophie, who will be 2 years old in July, doesn't like riding in the car. My question is, is this something that she can be taught to like, or do some dogs just not like the car?

Here's a bit of background: When she was a puppy, we tried to take her in the car with us, but she was prone to getting car sick (which I understand is quite common with puppies). We certainly didn't want to press the issue and put her in a distressing situation, so we backed off. Now that she's older, she goes in the car, but only grudgingly. When we try to get her to go, she makes a bee line for her crate, which is where we put her when we go out (BTW, she has no problem with her crate, and goes in there on her own when we get ready to go out.) When we do get her to go in the car, she jumps in grudgingly, and spends most of her time sitting or lying down in the back seat, looking bored or annoyed. (She no longer gets car sick, or shows any signs of distress like panting or drooling.)

My question is this: Is there something we can do to change the way she perceives riding in the car, or do some dogs just not like riding in the car, no matter what? We would love to take her with us more if we can get her to think of it as something fun, but I don't want to push her if it's something that once she's set on, she likely won't change.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

 

[Shelby's mom]

Shelby was never fond of the car either. She was never bad just wasn't very happy about it. We got her more happy about it by acting all excited when going out to the car. I would also encourage her with treats. I would put treats in the car so she began to learn that there were treats to be had. We also made the rides fun. Go somewhere for a walk etc.

She now she will go out to the car willingly. She has never jumped in or out of the car on her own which is perfectally fine with me. She just waits to be picked up. She usually just lays down on the back seat and relaxes. Occasionally she will look out the window sometimes growl at passing cars. The only things she barks at (other than the car wash b/c she wants to get the water) is driving through puddles, and the horse and buggies we see all the time.

I think with lots of positive reinforcement she will learn to like the ride.

 

[claire]

Thanks for your reply. I'm encouraged that I can at least try to change the way she sees riding in the car. I was thinking of also trying to have one of us (either me or my husband) sit in the back with her while the other drives. We do talk to her whie she's sitting in the back, but maybe having one of us back there with her a few times might help (gonna look kinda silly, though!).

Well, looks like we'll be doing some experimenting!

Thanks again for your advice!

~Claire

 

[Psalms]

Oh, I wish I could help you. I know exactly what you mean. Sammy is even worse. His little short stop legs turn into cement when I try to coax him to the car. I lift him up, and he immediately lies down with a look of doom on his face, like a prisoner bound for execution. He does still throw up sometimes (he is only 8 months old). He sure likes the ginger snap cookies that I give him now to settle his tummy, and they do seem to work. But he hates riding in the car even if he doesn't get sick.

The worst part is, he gives me the Stink Eye for the rest of the day when we get home! Janet

 

[claire]

Oh, I wish I could help you. I know exactly what you mean. Sammy is even worse. His little short stop legs turn into cement when I try to coax him to the car. I lift him up, and he immediately lies down with a look of doom on his face, like a prisoner bound for execution. He does still throw up sometimes (he is only 8 months old). He sure likes the ginger snap cookies that I give him now to settle his tummy, and they do seem to work. But he hates riding in the car even if he doesn't get sick.

The worst part is, he gives me the Stink Eye for the rest of the day when we get home! Janet

Sophie was still very uncomfortable at 8 months. She was getting sick less, but was still panting heavily and drooling, clearly in distress, which is why we backed off from trying to take her. I seem to recall learning (don't remember if I read it somewhere, or my vet told me) that pups are prone to getting car sick because their inner ear structure isn't fully formed, and this is why most pups outgrow it.*

*Please, for anyone reading this, if this is incorrect please set me straight! The last thing I want to do is spread incorrect information!

In any case, Sophie didn't stop showing signs of discomfort until after she was 1 year old (as I said in my original post, she's not happy about riding in the car now, but she's not in distress - panting/yawning/drooling). Maybe Sammy will outgrow it, but just needs a bit more time?

 

[Calliesmom]

Sophie was still very uncomfortable at 8 months. She was getting sick less, but was still panting heavily and drooling, clearly in distress, which is why we backed off from trying to take her. I seem to recall learning (don't remember if I read it somewhere, or my vet told me) that pups are prone to getting car sick because their inner ear structure isn't fully formed, and this is why most pups outgrow it.*

*Please, for anyone reading this, if this is incorrect please set me straight! The last thing I want to do is spread incorrect information!

In any case, Sophie didn't stop showing signs of discomfort until after she was 1 year old (as I said in my original post, she's not happy about riding in the car now, but she's not in distress - panting/yawning/drooling). Maybe Sammy will outgrow it, but just needs a bit more time?

I doubt it has anything to do with inner ears....
neither of the shelties that I got as puppies have had any issues with car rides.

 

[claire]

I doubt it has anything to do with inner ears....
neither of the shelties that I got as puppies have had any issues with car rides.

You are probably right. As I said, this was something I heard when she was a puppy. Whatever the reason, she did grow out of it, and for that I'm grateful!

 

[Mitchy]

Sometimes riding in the kennel in the car if that is where your pup feels safe may make him feel better about the car?

Also, I find that mine all feed off each other, so maybe riding with another dog who is excited and loves to be in the car that is a good buddy may be beneficial for your dog to be around?

Just some random thoughts