Car Rides

Question
I have a 8 month old blue sheltie.  For some reason every time I take him in the car he gets extremely calm.  Not that I want him to be rambunctious, but he seems to be scared out of his wits.  His noise will become wet enough to drip and he spends most of his time staring at the floor.  I don't know if its just because I pay closer attention or not, but his breathing seems to quicken as well.  I try my best to drive slow and only take him on short trips a few times a week, but I have not been seeing any improvement out of him.  Our family has owned 3 shelties and a border and we have never had this happen before. I purchased the dog from a breeder in Michigan and had him flown here.  I have heard of a fear period and even though I don't know when that time frame is, I am curious to know if you think this may be it.  Do you have any suggestions for changing this behavior, and have you ever heard of this?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Levi!

How does he ride in the car?  Belted with a puppy seat belt?  Held?  Riding in a carrier?  Perhaps this would make a difference.  I don't want you to hold him or let him free in the car, that's dangerous.  Make him as comfortable as possible and end the trip on a high note.  Give a treat or his favorite playtime after a car ride.

I have a concern about how rough his trip was coming to you.  Other than that I see no reason why a car ride would be a bad thing?  

One of my Shelties have had the excessive nose juice when riding too, that one got car sick almost every time.  Maybe he is just more prone to being car sick and the car ride is miserable for him?  

Aside from that he is very young and that frame of reference is very small for car trips.  Right now he associates car rides with the vet and the airplane.  Very scary stuff for a puppy.  I'd say he more than likely just has that dizzy carsick thing.  

Give him time and love.  That cures most of what bothers a small pup.

Dave