Dog behavioral problem - can anyone help?

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

This is obviously a psychological issue.

Drugging him is not the answer.

If he is afraid of the sound, put music on in the car and if you can, pipe it to his area.

If he is afraid of the sight of the vehicles, get those baby shades so he can't see out the window he is sitting at.

While you're at it, get a doggy seatbelt to keep him in one corner.

Keep his favorite toy or blanket with him to keep him feeling "safe".

I strongly suggest trying to figure out how you can keep him at home instead of taking on these terrifying trips for him. He is obviously scared to death. Fearful dogs can act out in odd ways - ocd chewing, biting or nipping, agitation, etc.

Can you get a pet walker once a day? Maybe a teenager who can take him on a 10 minute walk for $5? Why do you have your parents watch him anyway? Do they enjoy it or did you plop it on their laps? Just wondering if you are leaving him over there just bc you haven't worked on a solution to keep from having to cart him everywhere. It can turn into a serious issue for the dog, and if it means you might have to spend less on something "extra" and do something that will help your dog, then you might have to make that sacrifice.

Quick story about fear and dogs. My friend's dog was petrified of thunder storms. After a bad summer, this dog had chewed his leg down to bone, destroyed furniture, went on anxiety and depression pills, and had a heart attack. There wasn't anything they could do to prevent storms (he hid in the bathtub during them), but you have a situation that might have an alternate solution.

I have to agree that drugging your dog is not the answer. There is obviously something wrong with your dog... if you're just going to mask the symptoms by drugging the dog, what's the point?

A lot of people here have given great advice --- trying to acclimate the dog, talking to a vet, talking to a dog trainer, finding alternate ways to care for your dog without having to take the poor dog on these terrifying rides.

If money is an issue, go to your local Petsmart and talk to the trainer there. Most of them I have spoke to are willing to give you some tips without making you sign up for a class.

Also, if money is an issue, I'm not sure why buying prescription drugs to sedate your dog is even an option...those cost money

Yelling at your dog or choking it with it's collar when it's obviously terrified is not going to help the situation.

Like someone else mentioned - maybe you can get someone to walk the dog... if you're worried he will have to hold his bladder for 10-11 hrs, take the time to train him on doggie pads to use while you are gone.

Alternatively, you can try Google to come up with some solutions... I'm not a dog trainingy professional, but it might be worth a try --
http://en.allexperts.com/q/German-Sh...truck-fear.htm

Note that is says punishing your dog while it's in a state of fear only makes the fear worse... so you might want to stop yelling at the dog or whatever else... not only does that make your dog's fear worse, but it is a distraction from your driving.

Additionally, Ceasar Milan came to my mind first too... dogs can sense your state of being. If you are freaking out while you're driving and yelling at him, you aren't making the situation any better. Dogs respond best when you're in a calm state.

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I have to agree that drugging your dog is not the answer. There is obviously something wrong with your dog... if you're just going to mask the symptoms by drugging the dog, what's the point?

Also, if money is an issue, I'm not sure why buying prescription drugs to sedate your dog is even an option...those cost money

Like someone else mentioned - maybe you can get someone to walk the dog... if you're worried he will have to hold his bladder for 10-11 hrs, take the time to train him on doggie pads to use while you are gone.

Let's leave the dog at home alone all day instead of giving it a 1/2 a valium to reduce its anxiety for a car ride?

There is nothing cruel about providing relief to a dog. I would think someone a better dog owner who is trying to give the dog human interaction during the day than someone who prefers to leave a dog at home with puppy pads even though they could take it to their parents.

Generic valium or ace pills? Cheap. Hours of training? Not so cheap.
Pills? Will provide some definite relief to the dog. Training? Might work, might not.

I don't know about you, but the dog walkers here charge $10-15 per day...

I am not sure why people think it is cruel to medicate dogs who are averse to certain objects.

Behavior modification IS a great thing. But, not everything can be cured. And, medication is a valuable source of relief for many dogs.

[honeychile]

FWIW, while our dog has NO problems with any sort of ride, he does have separation anxiety at times. We bought that pheremone spray (can't think of the name) and that calms him down somewhat. The rest, we're trying to work out with him.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

Let's leave the dog at home alone all day instead of giving it a 1/2 a valium to reduce its anxiety for a car ride?

There is nothing cruel about providing relief to a dog. I would think someone a better dog owner who is trying to give the dog human interaction during the day than someone who prefers to leave a dog at home with puppy pads even though they could take it to their parents.

Generic valium or ace pills? Cheap. Hours of training? Not so cheap.
Pills? Will provide some definite relief to the dog. Training? Might work, might not.

I don't know about you, but the dog walkers here charge $10-15 per day...

I am not sure why people think it is cruel to medicate dogs who are averse to certain objects.

Behavior modification IS a great thing. But, not everything can be cured. And, medication is a valuable source of relief for many dogs.

Thank you. I was starting to feel crazy.

I'm dealing with a ~10 year old dog with a history of abuse. So, much as I love her, behavioral modification has been dicey at best. She's my bff, but she's not the sharpest crayon in the box. Or, to be more fair, she has a lot of psychological issues that stand in the way of her learning to act like your typical dog.

I've had to find a lot of alternative methods to train her. We get creative with the problem solving, but this one had stumped me.

Unrelated: I got seven copies of Marley and Me when the book came out. Notably, my dog is NOT named after Bob Marley. She's named after Scrooge's business partner in A Christmas Carol. Because I'm awesome like that.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

Let's leave the dog at home alone all day instead of giving it a 1/2 a valium to reduce its anxiety for a car ride?

There is nothing cruel about providing relief to a dog. I would think someone a better dog owner who is trying to give the dog human interaction during the day than someone who prefers to leave a dog at home with puppy pads even though they could take it to their parents.

Generic valium or ace pills? Cheap. Hours of training? Not so cheap.
Pills? Will provide some definite relief to the dog. Training? Might work, might not.

I don't know about you, but the dog walkers here charge $10-15 per day...

I am not sure why people think it is cruel to medicate dogs who are averse to certain objects.

Behavior modification IS a great thing. But, not everything can be cured. And, medication is a valuable source of relief for many dogs.

If someone is not going to take the time to properly train their dogs, they shouldn't have one.

Owning a dog, regardless of it's past, is taking on responsibility.

The OP has not even tried to "cure" the dog of it's fear. She's only yelled at it and pulled on it's collar.

If someone is not going to be responsible and properly train their dog, they don't need to have one. So many dogs out there misbehave because they have ridiculous amounts of anxiety that can very easily be dealt with if the owners took the time to try to understand where it's coming from and get with someone who can help them. (i.e. a professional)

Giving a dog drugs without even TRYING anything is not helping the animal in any way... and she just shrugs it off "well he's already 10! he'll be dead in a few years so I give up.. I'll just keep yelling at him if his drugs don't work"... riiiiight.

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

Thank you. I was starting to feel crazy.

I'm dealing with a ~10 year old dog with a history of abuse. So, much as I love her, behavioral modification has been dicey at best. She's my bff, but she's not the sharpest crayon in the box. Or, to be more fair, she has a lot of psychological issues that stand in the way of her learning to act like your typical dog.

I've had to find a lot of alternative methods to train her. We get creative with the problem solving, but this one had stumped me.

What alternative methods have you used really, besides yelling at him, pulling his collar and asking for professional help on a message board? Just curious.

I get the feeling you just came here looking for someone to justify what you already wanted to do anyway.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

If someone is not going to take the time to properly train their dogs, they shouldn't have one.

My dog is very well trained aside from this one issue. I've had trouble training her out of ONE behavior, which is why I asked for ideas.

... and she just shrugs it off "well he's already 10! he'll be dead in a few years so I give up.. I'll just keep yelling at him if his drugs don't work"...

That was uncalled for and inappropriate.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

My dog is very well trained aside from this one issue. I've had trouble training her out of ONE behavior, which is why I asked for ideas.



That was uncalled for and inappropriate.

I understand that your dog is trained, but your dog is obviously scared of something and it's giving her a lot of anxiety. You want to shrug off the issue and just give her drugs to deal with it. That is not addressing the issue. It sounds like she is really freaking out and on the verge of causing harm to herself and others by growling, and throwing herself against the vehicle interior.

If there ever was anyone else in your car, your dog could possibly redirect it's anxiety towards them if they are near and you happen to be driving near a diesel truck.

Asking for help on an internet message board will not solve the problem. This is not a simple 'sit' or 'stay' command that can easily be explained over the internet by non-professionals. This needs to be addressed by a professional. Your vet even told you that rehabilitation is a possibility... however you cannot rehabilitate your dog by yourself if you don't know what you are doing. You need a professional for that.

This is also something that won't be fixed overnight. It requires time and patience.. something that you don't seem to have if you just want to throw drugs at the problem

And you yourself keep reiterating that she's 10 years old... so what? It's completely possible to help your dog regardless of it's age. You make it sound like it's a lost cause trying to do anything to help her.

Your very first response to your thread was condescending which leads me to believe you pretty much already had in mind what you wanted to do anyway, you just wanted to hear it from someone else.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

If someone is not going to take the time to properly train their dogs, they shouldn't have one.

Owning a dog, regardless of it's past, is taking on responsibility.

The OP has not even tried to "cure" the dog of it's fear. She's only yelled at it and pulled on it's collar.

If someone is not going to be responsible and properly train their dog, they don't need to have one. So many dogs out there misbehave because they have ridiculous amounts of anxiety that can very easily be dealt with if the owners took the time to try to understand where it's coming from and get with someone who can help them. (i.e. a professional)

Giving a dog drugs without even TRYING anything is not helping the animal in any way... and she just shrugs it off "well he's already 10! he'll be dead in a few years so I give up.. I'll just keep yelling at him if his drugs don't work"... riiiiight.

What alternative methods have you used really, besides yelling at him, pulling his collar and asking for professional help on a message board? Just curious.

I get the feeling you just came here looking for someone to justify what you already wanted to do anyway.

Co-sign. And it looks like she might be getting a new one, too:

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

I meant spay, not neuter. This is for a girl puppy.

Wait, you have a dog who you already have to dump off because you work all day, and are considering getting a puppy? do you have any idea how much time and attention a puppy needs?

[Tippiechick]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Co-sign. And it looks like she might be getting a new one, too:

Wait, you have a dog who you already have to dump off because you work all day, and are considering getting a puppy? do you have any idea how much time and attention a puppy needs?

Post deleted because you're determined to be a fucking bitch no matter what is said in this thread...

[cheerfulgreek]

I didn't read the whole thread, so I didn't know the OP was getting a new puppy. I thought she already had one. OP, like some of the comments posted earlier (and I'm sure you mean well) but yes, if you're having trouble spending time with the dog you currently own, I would hold off on getting a new puppy. My advice (if you can) is to consider putting your dog in a doggie day care, or hiring a dog walker to take him/her out during the day (if you're away from home most of the day). It's really important to understand that dogs are intensely social animals, and they become bored, lonely, and sometimes destructive without companionship. Just an FYI.