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Comment by Corey & Holly's Mom on July 13, 2008 at 10:11am

My older corgi is afraid of windshield wipers.. I have a crate in the back seat for him because he feels safe that the bad wipers can not get him, he relaxes. Holly has a seatbelt that snaps onto her harness.

Comment by Amy Parish on April 25, 2008 at 1:58pm

Those are great ideas! Thank you all so much! We are going to try some of them out. Hopefully Daisy will be "riding happy" in no time! Thanks again!

Comment by Ginny and Diggory on April 25, 2008 at 1:12pm

Ginny also gets crated in the backseat. When I've tried to have her sit in the car without the crate, she tries to crawl in my lap, which I just can't have if I'm driving. I feel safer with her in the crate, if I have to brake suddenly, she doesn't go flying. There's a blanket and toys back there. The crate we have is collapsible and works great. This is the one we have http://www.catsanddogspa.com/petgearcratesmpink.html
It's great too because if we're at someone else's house, I always have a crate there for her.

Comment by Monty'sMom on April 25, 2008 at 1:00pm

Monty is 4 months and loves the car but only if he is in his crate strapped into the backseat. We tried riding with him out of it in the backseat with one of us holding him and playing with him but I think he felt unstable or had too much stimulation and couldn't take it all in. Now when we are going to the park or something he I lift him up onto the seat and he walks right into the crate. Of course he has a couple of favorite toys in there! I also have to admit that I bought one of those mirrors designed to watch babies in their car seat that attach to the rear view mirror. I love it because we strap the crate in the middle between the front seats so I can keep an eye on the little guy while driving!!

Comment by Charlie on April 25, 2008 at 12:39pm

She will probably outgrow it in a few months, if you are planning to take her with you to training classes, pet stores, dog parks, and other outings. A lot of dogs are initially anxious about that big moving hunk of metal. Charlie barked loudly and non-stop for the first couple of months, until he realized that the car took him to "fun" places. Now he rides just great.

She might feel safer in a crate in the backseat, than in the wide-open interior. Charlie rides in a 24" kennel/crate seatbelted in the backseat, mainly so he wouldn't become a flying projectile if I had to brake suddenly or got into a wreck.

If you want to desensitize her faster than whatever normal outings you plan, take her on short trips and give her lots of treats/affection when you reach a "destination" (even if you just drive 2 blocks, get out, treats/pets, then go home), then start increasing the length of the trips. I'm sure either way, you'll be "Driving Miss Daisy" in no time. : - )

Comment by Amy Parish on April 25, 2008 at 12:27pm

Daisy is 4 months, so maybe that's it. I read some books that said that dogs can get carsick, but Daisy never throws up or anything.

Comment by Geri & Sidney on April 25, 2008 at 12:17pm

Is Daisy still young? When we brought SId home at age 5 months, he did not like the car either. He did not want to go in the car, and once in he'd just curl up tight. Now at age 9 months he loves it; he jumps right in and puts one paw on the armrest so he can stick his nose out the window.

Comment by Bonny on April 25, 2008 at 12:02pm

My dog doesn't like the car, either! She shakes most of the time, and I haven't figured out how to make her more comfortable. Poor pujp!