Dog Car Issues
Discussion
Morning all... was after a little bit of help/experiences regarding a dog no longer being happy in the back of the car.
The dog in question is a Frenchador (French Bulldog x Labrador) and will be 2 in around a month. He has gone on the back seat of the car since he was a puppy and strapped in with a pet seat belt onto his harness. He has always been fine in the car including journeys from Bristol to the Lake District, usually settling down to sleep but recently he just seems to be stressed. He doesn't hesitate to get into the car which is the weird bit but once in, he will press himself down and back into the seat without properly lying down if that makes any sense and is often panting, smacking his lips etc.
As far as I am aware he hasn't been involved in anything traumatic, his usual journeys are for fun reasons as far as he is concerned (nice walks etc) and this is something that appears to have come from nothing so we are a left a little stumped. We have tried putting a toy in the back but he just doesn't seem interested.
Anyone experienced anything similar and got any advice/tips? He loves going places and meeting new people and dogs but I'm not sure I want to be putting him through all this stress all the time and don't fancy putting him on medication just for a car journey if I can help it.
The dog in question is a Frenchador (French Bulldog x Labrador) and will be 2 in around a month. He has gone on the back seat of the car since he was a puppy and strapped in with a pet seat belt onto his harness. He has always been fine in the car including journeys from Bristol to the Lake District, usually settling down to sleep but recently he just seems to be stressed. He doesn't hesitate to get into the car which is the weird bit but once in, he will press himself down and back into the seat without properly lying down if that makes any sense and is often panting, smacking his lips etc.
As far as I am aware he hasn't been involved in anything traumatic, his usual journeys are for fun reasons as far as he is concerned (nice walks etc) and this is something that appears to have come from nothing so we are a left a little stumped. We have tried putting a toy in the back but he just doesn't seem interested.
Anyone experienced anything similar and got any advice/tips? He loves going places and meeting new people and dogs but I'm not sure I want to be putting him through all this stress all the time and don't fancy putting him on medication just for a car journey if I can help it.
Watching this with interest as Barry, my 6 yo Yorkie/Jack Russell really struggles in the car for any distance, just this week we went to Cornwall from Surrey, he just didn't settle, he pants, fidgets, stands up, backs up into the backrest of the rear seat, sits on Daphne his sister, he is strapped in and has never had any traumatic experiences in the car.
It got the point that the wife had him on her lap for a while, whilst still not happy, he was better,
The vet prescribed Nutracalm which did nothing, whilst on holiday we got a thunder jacket which did nothing.
He generally gets into the car fine, however a few times this week just gone whilst we were away, he got in reluctantly.
Yet on a bus or a boat (small pleasure type one) he is fine.
It got the point that the wife had him on her lap for a while, whilst still not happy, he was better,
The vet prescribed Nutracalm which did nothing, whilst on holiday we got a thunder jacket which did nothing.
He generally gets into the car fine, however a few times this week just gone whilst we were away, he got in reluctantly.
Yet on a bus or a boat (small pleasure type one) he is fine.
Edited by HTP99 on Wednesday 21st April 15:14
Parsnip said:
Nothing to suggest, but any photos of the dog? Google not throwing up much (unless it autocorrects and you just get a load of photos of conservatories)
Curious what a Lab/French Bulldog crossbreed looks like.
More to the point..... has does a French Bulldog manage to reach to shag a Labrador ?Curious what a Lab/French Bulldog crossbreed looks like.
My Yorkies have become terrified in the car.
Again, this is a recent development - they used to be fine. Pretty sure it's since lockdown the only times they've been in the car is to go to the groomer or vet. Ted in particular shakes and shivers and looks very stressed, which in turn upsets Stella.
Oddly, when they are on their own they're much better; Stella is fine and Ted settles once we're moving. I think it's a matter of getting them back in the car more often to go to fun places for them. They seem to love meeting people and dogs at pubs in particular - so hoping now they're open and it's warming up the scruffy buggers can enjoy a few trips out and about.
Again, this is a recent development - they used to be fine. Pretty sure it's since lockdown the only times they've been in the car is to go to the groomer or vet. Ted in particular shakes and shivers and looks very stressed, which in turn upsets Stella.
Oddly, when they are on their own they're much better; Stella is fine and Ted settles once we're moving. I think it's a matter of getting them back in the car more often to go to fun places for them. They seem to love meeting people and dogs at pubs in particular - so hoping now they're open and it's warming up the scruffy buggers can enjoy a few trips out and about.
My assistance lab has aleays been a bit uneasy in the car, gets in fine though.
My trainer suggested 2 things,
Firstly consider feeding in the car so she associates the car with a pleasurable activity and
Secondly, don’t fuss over her when she gets nervous otherwise this may become a vicious circle where she “gets” nervous to receive attention
She’s still not 100% at ease but it’s not really an issue anymore.
My trainer suggested 2 things,
Firstly consider feeding in the car so she associates the car with a pleasurable activity and
Secondly, don’t fuss over her when she gets nervous otherwise this may become a vicious circle where she “gets” nervous to receive attention
She’s still not 100% at ease but it’s not really an issue anymore.
super7 said:
Parsnip said:
Nothing to suggest, but any photos of the dog? Google not throwing up much (unless it autocorrects and you just get a load of photos of conservatories)
Curious what a Lab/French Bulldog crossbreed looks like.
More to the point..... has does a French Bulldog manage to reach to shag a Labrador ?Curious what a Lab/French Bulldog crossbreed looks like.
I don't think French Bulldogs can physically mount anything (let alone a Lab) to breed - its all through the magic of a turkey baster.
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