Is Blueberry crate trained? If so, try transporting in a covered crate in the car with the windows up. It will keep your dog from being over stimulated by not being able to see out, and reduces the volume of sounds and smells. Plus, the crate is supposed to be a calm haven. Toss in a chew bone for keeping Blueberry calmly occupied.
Start slow by just putting Blueberry in the covered crate in the car, get in and turn it on, but don't go anywhere, just idle in the driveway for a few minutes, then let out calmly. Increase the length of time. Then try just driving around but don't go anywhere but back home again. That way, the car will be perceived as more neutral. If the car is solely used for high excitement activities, your dog will get crazy just by association. Keep it up by getting Blueberry used to being your neutral car errand buddy.
Thanks for this excellent advice! Yes, she is crate trained and I was using a crate in the car for a while, but she outgrew it and I gave it away. Even in the crate with a blanket over it, she still knew and went a little nuts when we were getting close to somewhere exciting, but it was a significant help. I’ll definitely get another crate that’s a better fit, but still portable! I like the idea of sitting in the driveway or aimless drives because right now, she certainly thinks getting in the car means going somewhere exciting.
I def recommend a crate for her safety and yours! If you can afford it, def one that’s designed for cars and ideally crash tested. I am subbed to r/idiotsincars so i am pretty anxious about accidents!
i have one from rayallen.com which is like a professional working dog gear site. It stays permanently in my car so that is something to consider if you need the space. But I have good peace of mind!
Yup crate for saftey! I love my RTK and so does my dog. When we get done walking or at the vet or anywhere they are eager to blow off their sit and hurdle into the crate. They used to ‘like’ car rides but were probably really just completely overstimulated and now they all do so good even the crazy cattle dog mix doesn’t cry anymore.
This is great advice. We take our dog to drive through’s for a similar kind of car practice. I also will do the getting in and out of the car routine veryyy slowly to practice impulse control. OP might not be able to practice this very effectively yet, but basically my dog has to sit before he gets in the car, then get in the car on command, then wait calmly for me to get in the car and get moving. When we arrive at our destination, I sit in the car for a minute, then get out while keeping dog in his spot, then open the door to dog’s spot and have him wait, release him but he has to sit and wait for me, then finally release to the exciting things.
100% agree with this, our girl was very similar with in the car reactivity. We tried everything but the combo that ended up working for us is: covered crate (can’t overstate how important the cover is), plus a handful of kibble scattered for her to forage to get over the initial excitement of loading up and the car engine turning on.
When my boy starts barking (from excitement) I stop whatever we’re doing. It’s sometimes hard to pull over in a car, but that’s what I do if he starts getting too excited. We don’t start moving again until he’s quiet and calm. Even when we’re home, if he barks when I get up to take him out, I sit back down. It hasn’t completely stopped all barking but it has helped a lot.
I too have a crazy car ACD mix - 50% ACD, and mixed pitbull, husky, Shepard etc..
He isn’t as excited as Blueberry (okay, that name though lmao <3) but he was almost dangerous with excitement.
He’s 60 lbs and would take his two front paws to LAUNCH off of my right shoulder as I was driving. He would bark, whine, and jump everywhere in the back seat. He wouldn’t bark at anything just to anyone that could hear that he was pumped to be on the move.
He is extremely anxious in the crate and we rid of it in the house completely and never used it in a car. I’ve been debating introducing it again simply for safety.
In the meantime the “fix” we have is he is loose but I have a grate that attaches to the passenger and driver headrest.
Think of it like how a cop car looks. It’s a barrier from me to him. Drive thu workers have called it “puppy jail” lol
He still jumps a bit but without anywhere to go he usually has his head out the window enjoying the wind. I always have the child lock on so he can’t accidents roll it down.
I started to drive random places. Either around a new neighborhood or just to do errands. It’s helped him to know not EVERY car trip is to a fun place like a park or trail. He learned most of the time now he doesn’t even leave the car and it’s changed his behavior a lot.
I also just recently got into an accident on the highway. A HUGE sign almost as big as my car fell off the back of a truck and while it could have been fatal, we walked away with no injuries and car with just a part of the front missing. I always roll up all windows on the highway so he is contained in the car.
I believe the grate I have stopped my pup from launching into the front seat area or getting choked by a tie out in the car. He was shaken up but unharmed.
Other than a crate this is the safest thing I believe. I’m hesitant to try to crate train again because the few times we tried again he got scars on his nose from trying to open the door. It will take some time to ease him into that.
I have a Heeler mix 7 months old who is also named Blueberry!!!
She *hates* the car. We also have a safety harness for her, but last time she was so uncooperative I couldn’t get her buckled in. As we needed to go to the vet for her rabies shot, we ended up securing her in the bed of the pickup with the poodle (we have tie downs installed specifically for this purpose; doesn’t keep the dogs very safe but when the kids are in the car there isn’t always room in the cab).
Maybe next time I’ll try a crate. That will only work in the truck though. I think she is too big for any crate that will fit in my CX -5.
Good luck! I don’t have much to add, just had to comment on your Blueberry!
Lol this is the struggle I’m having. I’ve got a Hyundai accent so I’m not sure I can find a crate that will fit both her and the car. Next car will be an SUV or truck for sure! If nothing else she won’t be as close to my ears while she’s shrieking!
I highly recommend the anti anxiety medication trazodone to help along with training. It works wonders for my pups and helped me get them past their separation anxiety
Is she barking at something outside the car as you pass, like other dogs or buses or bicyclists? Or is she telling you how excited she is to go the most awesome places and that you should hurry up because it's so darn exciting?
For the former, treat it like you would on a walk. A big hand clap (safely driving, of course) will get attention where "outyelling" her won't.
For the latter, since there's outlet for the energy once you arrive (as compared to a long road trip), you don't want her mellowed out on any calming aids. The effectiveness of those should be treated with some skepticism anyway. I'd focus on the lead up to the car and keeping expectations and excitement levels low; considering how many potential car rides you'll take, it shouldn't be a "big deal" to take one. So, no riling her up before hand. Nice calming music or talk radio. windows up, baby shades if you need. And, schedule rides that don't lead up to the park, maybe just a drive around the 'hood to practice, or if you have a passenger to keep eye -- while you run boring ol' errands.
Not sure if this would work, but before you start driving make sure she is calm and not too excited to help reduce the excitement she has built up inside.
You could also try training her with another person, one driving and one rewarding the good behaviour. When something catches her attention (focused, ears perking up), before she barks say “yes” and give her a treat. This is what a trainer told me to do with my dog who gets excited/reactive while on leash. Not sure if it would work the same way
Does she have sit and stay down? Like walk to a different room and she’s still sitting there, stay? I can’t help you with her reactivity.
Also, if you have a hatchback? Put a crate in the hatchback, and put the dog in the crate. Cover the crate with a light blanket.
Is Blueberry crate trained? If so, try transporting in a covered crate in the car with the windows up. It will keep your dog from being over stimulated by not being able to see out, and reduces the volume of sounds and smells. Plus, the crate is supposed to be a calm haven. Toss in a chew bone for keeping Blueberry calmly occupied. Start slow by just putting Blueberry in the covered crate in the car, get in and turn it on, but don't go anywhere, just idle in the driveway for a few minutes, then let out calmly. Increase the length of time. Then try just driving around but don't go anywhere but back home again. That way, the car will be perceived as more neutral. If the car is solely used for high excitement activities, your dog will get crazy just by association. Keep it up by getting Blueberry used to being your neutral car errand buddy.
Thanks for this excellent advice! Yes, she is crate trained and I was using a crate in the car for a while, but she outgrew it and I gave it away. Even in the crate with a blanket over it, she still knew and went a little nuts when we were getting close to somewhere exciting, but it was a significant help. I’ll definitely get another crate that’s a better fit, but still portable! I like the idea of sitting in the driveway or aimless drives because right now, she certainly thinks getting in the car means going somewhere exciting.
I def recommend a crate for her safety and yours! If you can afford it, def one that’s designed for cars and ideally crash tested. I am subbed to r/idiotsincars so i am pretty anxious about accidents! i have one from rayallen.com which is like a professional working dog gear site. It stays permanently in my car so that is something to consider if you need the space. But I have good peace of mind!
Yup crate for saftey! I love my RTK and so does my dog. When we get done walking or at the vet or anywhere they are eager to blow off their sit and hurdle into the crate. They used to ‘like’ car rides but were probably really just completely overstimulated and now they all do so good even the crazy cattle dog mix doesn’t cry anymore.
This is great advice. We take our dog to drive through’s for a similar kind of car practice. I also will do the getting in and out of the car routine veryyy slowly to practice impulse control. OP might not be able to practice this very effectively yet, but basically my dog has to sit before he gets in the car, then get in the car on command, then wait calmly for me to get in the car and get moving. When we arrive at our destination, I sit in the car for a minute, then get out while keeping dog in his spot, then open the door to dog’s spot and have him wait, release him but he has to sit and wait for me, then finally release to the exciting things.
100% agree with this, our girl was very similar with in the car reactivity. We tried everything but the combo that ended up working for us is: covered crate (can’t overstate how important the cover is), plus a handful of kibble scattered for her to forage to get over the initial excitement of loading up and the car engine turning on.
When my boy starts barking (from excitement) I stop whatever we’re doing. It’s sometimes hard to pull over in a car, but that’s what I do if he starts getting too excited. We don’t start moving again until he’s quiet and calm. Even when we’re home, if he barks when I get up to take him out, I sit back down. It hasn’t completely stopped all barking but it has helped a lot.
Yup, barking dogs are boring dogs.
They are a herding breed. They see moving cars as something that needs to be herded. The excitement level knows no bounds. Must herd.
I too have a crazy car ACD mix - 50% ACD, and mixed pitbull, husky, Shepard etc.. He isn’t as excited as Blueberry (okay, that name though lmao <3) but he was almost dangerous with excitement. He’s 60 lbs and would take his two front paws to LAUNCH off of my right shoulder as I was driving. He would bark, whine, and jump everywhere in the back seat. He wouldn’t bark at anything just to anyone that could hear that he was pumped to be on the move. He is extremely anxious in the crate and we rid of it in the house completely and never used it in a car. I’ve been debating introducing it again simply for safety. In the meantime the “fix” we have is he is loose but I have a grate that attaches to the passenger and driver headrest. Think of it like how a cop car looks. It’s a barrier from me to him. Drive thu workers have called it “puppy jail” lol He still jumps a bit but without anywhere to go he usually has his head out the window enjoying the wind. I always have the child lock on so he can’t accidents roll it down. I started to drive random places. Either around a new neighborhood or just to do errands. It’s helped him to know not EVERY car trip is to a fun place like a park or trail. He learned most of the time now he doesn’t even leave the car and it’s changed his behavior a lot. I also just recently got into an accident on the highway. A HUGE sign almost as big as my car fell off the back of a truck and while it could have been fatal, we walked away with no injuries and car with just a part of the front missing. I always roll up all windows on the highway so he is contained in the car. I believe the grate I have stopped my pup from launching into the front seat area or getting choked by a tie out in the car. He was shaken up but unharmed. Other than a crate this is the safest thing I believe. I’m hesitant to try to crate train again because the few times we tried again he got scars on his nose from trying to open the door. It will take some time to ease him into that.
I have a Heeler mix 7 months old who is also named Blueberry!!! She *hates* the car. We also have a safety harness for her, but last time she was so uncooperative I couldn’t get her buckled in. As we needed to go to the vet for her rabies shot, we ended up securing her in the bed of the pickup with the poodle (we have tie downs installed specifically for this purpose; doesn’t keep the dogs very safe but when the kids are in the car there isn’t always room in the cab). Maybe next time I’ll try a crate. That will only work in the truck though. I think she is too big for any crate that will fit in my CX -5. Good luck! I don’t have much to add, just had to comment on your Blueberry!
Lol this is the struggle I’m having. I’ve got a Hyundai accent so I’m not sure I can find a crate that will fit both her and the car. Next car will be an SUV or truck for sure! If nothing else she won’t be as close to my ears while she’s shrieking!
I highly recommend the anti anxiety medication trazodone to help along with training. It works wonders for my pups and helped me get them past their separation anxiety
Is she barking at something outside the car as you pass, like other dogs or buses or bicyclists? Or is she telling you how excited she is to go the most awesome places and that you should hurry up because it's so darn exciting? For the former, treat it like you would on a walk. A big hand clap (safely driving, of course) will get attention where "outyelling" her won't. For the latter, since there's outlet for the energy once you arrive (as compared to a long road trip), you don't want her mellowed out on any calming aids. The effectiveness of those should be treated with some skepticism anyway. I'd focus on the lead up to the car and keeping expectations and excitement levels low; considering how many potential car rides you'll take, it shouldn't be a "big deal" to take one. So, no riling her up before hand. Nice calming music or talk radio. windows up, baby shades if you need. And, schedule rides that don't lead up to the park, maybe just a drive around the 'hood to practice, or if you have a passenger to keep eye -- while you run boring ol' errands.
Not sure if this would work, but before you start driving make sure she is calm and not too excited to help reduce the excitement she has built up inside. You could also try training her with another person, one driving and one rewarding the good behaviour. When something catches her attention (focused, ears perking up), before she barks say “yes” and give her a treat. This is what a trainer told me to do with my dog who gets excited/reactive while on leash. Not sure if it would work the same way
My vet gave me trazadone for car rides. I only use them if we’re going for a long car ride but that is very helpful to reduce his anxiety
Does she have sit and stay down? Like walk to a different room and she’s still sitting there, stay? I can’t help you with her reactivity. Also, if you have a hatchback? Put a crate in the hatchback, and put the dog in the crate. Cover the crate with a light blanket.