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Canine Behavior/Travel Problems

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Expert: - 1/4/2008


Question
I have an 18 month old Cairn Terrier who use to love to go for rides  but ever since we went for a vacation traveling 7 hours one way she no  longer likes to ride.    During the vacation she did not seem distressed  except she didn't sleep like usual and kept looking out the window.  
We have been back now for almost a month and when you mention ride she  goes the opposite direction.    Once we are in the truck and backing out  of the drive her heart starts racing and she begins to pant.   As soon  as the truck stops and she gets out then she is her usual frisky self.     We made frequent stops along the vacation and nothing unusual  happened to her so I am at a loss and any help that you might offer would be  appreciated.


Answer
Perhaps the duration of travel affected her, or perhaps something she saw out the window or something that happened in the car during the trip...impossible to know.

If you insist on taking the dog with you, then you need to attempt to recondition her to the experience.  Start with baby steps and lots of praise and food reward; first for going near the car, then for getting into the car, then for brief trip down the driveway, then for brief trip around the block, etc.  If you see any recovery, go forward.  If not, stay at whatever step you're at until you see a change in behavior.

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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