How do I get Dixie to behave better in the car?

I know it is my fault, cos she was rarely in the car when she was a pup. When she goes in the car she whines constantly. Not so much at first, but once we get going she is terrible. Settles eventually but starts again if we stop.

I'm worried that it may unsettle Dave, who lies down after a few cries.

She whines if she sits by my feet, on the back seat in a harness so she can see out, in her crate so she can't see out. She cries if my oh yells at her to settle (it really annoys him).
Do I just ignore her and keep taking her in the car (when we have it- was borrowing nanas over the weekend).

I even took her a big walk before going in the car, and getting her to get in it and giving her treats. But on the way home, about to leave my oh mums, she refused point blank to get in the car! I ended up chasing her round the garden twice and inside where she sat by the table looking for scraps! LOL

Lifted her into the car and made a fuss of her, gave he treats.

What do I do with her once we get our car fixed? I want to be able to take both dogs out without worrying she is going to make a fuss.

xx

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Is she car sick? If so ginger tablets help or I believe there is a Bach remedy for easing stress. It's a shame you can't leave the car door open for a while so she can jump in and out as she wants to get used to it before you go anywhere. Good luck

No, shes never been sick..

When we get the car I can go to my oh mums house and leave the boot open so she can get in and out safely- but here we just have the street outisde.

Think I should leave Dave at home and try to get her used to the car on her own so she doesn't upset him?

x

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have you tried putting a shaped dog bed in or even her crate and padding it out well. My dogs aren't sick anymore now i have the old duvet in the crate for them to sit in.

I was going to say exactly the same. I have a soft shaped bed in the crate and oscar has been much better, he must feel more secure.

Yep we had Daves crate in (hers is too big!).

I can't put a chew in for them or Dixie growls like mad at Dave.
When we get the mondeo fixed (eventually!) I think I am going to be getting a fitted crate with divider.
But we may get the fiesta back before the mondeo's fixed so in that case there wont be room for a crate so it will have to be a bed.

Maybe I will try padding it out more, as it was just a vet bed we had in.

x

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It needs to have sides and be a bit smaller than you would a normal bed so they don't sway about in it.

I am hoping to get a crate with divider in the mondeo so would buy 2 beds with sides and a comfy big blanket for them.

When I pass my test (if I do!) I am looking at getting a 206 and my dad is gonna build me a custom bed with divider in the middle of it, as there won't be room for a crate it will be a guard.

Although, I am kinda undecided.. if I should seperate the dogs or keep them together.
Seperate- i can give them a chew, and there will be less room to get thrown about.
But maybe they like being togehter. What do you think?

x

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Don't talk to me about crying in the car - Mika is such a baby when it comes to being in the car. For a pup that's confident about everything else he's a wimp about being in the car. He just sits there, shivering and acts all petrified, as if i'm going to i dont know, throw him out of a moving vehicle! As if!

My dad picks me up sometimes from the train station, bringing Mika with him and mika sits on my lap when i get in the car and he just starts shivering the minute the car starts till we get home. I hope he grows out of this soon!

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My two babies. Separated for a while but now both reunited on Rainbow Bridge, running in a field of daises. Gone but not forgotten. Love you always and forever



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281358/quotes?qt0401992

I think seperate will be fine, they can still see each other. Good luck with your test (when you take it )