Dog very fearful. Help!

[StefanieLeann14]

Ok I dont know if anyone would know how to help me with this but its worth a shot. I have a yellow lab mix that was dumped off at our farm in a very pregnant state. Well since then we have taken her to the vet a couple times. Once to get spayed and her shots of course and another because of an accident (some *&#(%$ shot her twice on our land). Well every time we load her into a truck, car, or our ranger (kind of like a mule) she just freezes up starts shaking, salivating, and urinating on herself. Shes just scared to death. We have tried sitting with her or putting her in a crate thinking that might make her feel a little more at ease. Nope! She still spazzes out. Does anyone know what I can do to make her more comfortable with riding? All my other dogs have LOVED to ride so this is completely new to me.

[Crookedblaze]

Take baby steps with her.

LOL this is actually from my human psych class, but make an anxiety hierarcy for her. An anxiety hierarchy is taking outrageously small steps to build confidence. Start with having her go near the truck, mule, car, whatever. Don't do anything more then bring her close. Give her cookies and pt her. Do this until she is comfortable. Move a little closer each time. When she can stand next to the truck, open the door. Once she is comfortable with that, put her in the truck. Just continue with small steps and give her time. It takes a lot to undo a few traumatizing mistakes.

Good luck with her!

[Stormy's Human]

If what crookedblaze suggested doesn't work you might need to get some tranquilizers from your vet for when you have to transport her. I have a lab-great dane mix who is scared of her own shadow and you can't work the baby steps with her cause you would never ever get to the next step - she hides and you can't find her when she thinks you are even turning the water on for a bath

[DoBeSassy]

I like crookedblaze's idea.

but you could also try taking her for short trips that are fun. Like we have a creek just down the road, if she were mine and liked water, I would load her up and go have some fun in the water. That way she doesn't allways associate the vehicle with pain

[StefanieLeann14]

I will have to try something like that crookedblaze. She will go right up to the truck or ranger but once you put her in she freezes or tries to jump out which is not a good thing. She does love water but our creek is too near I guess. She wont ride to it. She jumps out and runs along side the truck or ranger. If someone sits with her she about claws or clobbers them too death. Either that or she just runs from us and goes to the ponds. Ugh.

[DoBeSassy]

It doesn't have to be water, that was an example. The idea was takign her for rides where she doesn't end up getting poked with needles or cut and stiched back up, or dumped off for that matter. If that was all that happened everytime you got in a vehicle, wouldn't you fight to stay out.

What may help is putting her in the vehicle and makign the destination somewhere fun for her so she doesn't think the vehincle means getting hurt.

As for her clawing- load her in a crate so she is contained and the safety of others. As she improves, you can leave the crate at home.

Take her to a local hiking trail, or go to a creek further away, or the local dog park.

[snwflk]

JUST What crooked blaze said!! try that..

sounds wierd but think of it from her point of view- DUMPED OFF- nobody wanted her in her time of need- so she was scared-
Met you- stranger-she was scared
Had babies had to protect- she was scared
Had to have a spay & shots - YOU (stranger drove her in car) to the vet- she was scared-

Basically she has been scared since day ONE- poor thing.. ANd everytime she gets in the car- SHE (could possibly remember being dumped off ALONE) gets to go somewhere where she is HURT by other people ? Just a thought-

Car=hurt?

Its just a thought- I have a bichon who does the SAME THING only he whines instead of peeing but LORDY its annoying.. Now if we are in the car say an hour or more,, he settles down.. I think he thinks I am leaving him at the kennel- hehehe but he still LOVES to get in the car - just not when its moving silly dog..

[BabyMay]

Originally Posted by Crookedblaze

Take baby steps with her.

LOL this is actually from my human psych class, but make an anxiety hierarcy for her. An anxiety hierarchy is taking outrageously small steps to build confidence. Start with having her go near the truck, mule, car, whatever. Don't do anything more then bring her close. Give her cookies and pt her. Do this until she is comfortable. Move a little closer each time. When she can stand next to the truck, open the door. Once she is comfortable with that, put her in the truck. Just continue with small steps and give her time. It takes a lot to undo a few traumatizing mistakes.

Good luck with her!

This is exactly what you need to do with her. But one thing I want to add, do not give her the reward if she starts getting upset. Move back to the point where she was fine. IF you reward her while she is upset , it reinforces the anxiety. And when she is upset , don't tell her things like good girl, its ok. Stuff like that. Ignore her if you can. I know it sounds cruel, but if you baby talk to her when she is upset, she thinks it is ok to be upset. Some dogs never get used to riding. My dalmatian mix whines the whole time. I just turn on the radio and ignore him. Just stay calm and she will see that you are ok with riding, so she can relax too. But like was stated, baby steps. May take you a very long time.

[gbarmranch]

Some excellent advice.. Babymay is correct.. never pet or acknowledge the fear.. wait until she is calm, and then reward.. and remember to go into the training with that same state of mind - calm and confident.. or she will feed off your frustration and anxiety.

I have one dog that hates the truck, and will never enjoy riding.. tolerate yes, but not enjoy... so I appreciate how difficult this situation is... Good luck and keep us posted..