Puppy panic

Question
Hello, I have an 8 month old male, lab mix. He is very hyper, but listens well, trains wonderfully, very smart. He loves to go in the car, rarely a problem to get him to go into it. Today though, told a different story, he went right in the car, but the second I closed the door, and turned on the car, he began to what seemingly looked like a panic attack, very short abrupt breathing through his nose, and trying to claw and climb over me out of the back seat, I opened the back window just enough for him to stick his head out, and he got all the way to his shoulders trying to get out, I quickly, got out of the car, opened the car door, and he ran out like a bullet, tail tucked low to ground, urinating as he ran. Nothing happend out of the ordinary, I have had dogs before, so I don't tend to stray from the routine on how things are done. I tried to bring him back to the car, and he put the brakes on so I brought him inside to calm down, it didn't take very long until he was ok. I called my vet, but they want to see him, and that will cost $79 for a consultation. Please any suggestions? Is this anxiety?

Thank you!
Carlyn!

Answer
Hi Carlyn,

If your dog has been consistently good in the car until now, it probably isn't anxiety. Is it possible there was a bee or a wasp in the car and it stung your dog, causing the fear/panic reaction?

You may not find out what spooked him, but you can desensitize your dog to the car if he continues to be in a panic when in the car.

As with all desensitizing attempts, things must be taken slowly. Each step should be taken over the course of a few days. This allows your dog to get used to a non-threatening environment enough so that he will learn to associate the car with good times, rather than stress-inducers.

Over the next several days you can try to reintroduce your dog to the car. Arm yourself with treats and goodies, and walk your dog around the car with the doors open a few times. Let him sniff wherever he likes, let him stick his head inside. If he handles this well, give him plenty of treats and praise. Do not treat if he shows anxiety, just continue to circle the car until he relaxes, then treat and praise. Do this for as many days that it takes for your dog to show no fear before progressing to the next step.

When your dog isn't showing fear by walking around and near the car, the next day get in the car. Leave the doors of the car open so that your dog may leave at any time. Let him explore the vehicle at his own pace, making sure to always leave his exits open, and treat lavishly every time he is in the vehicle. Ignore all anxiety from him. Do NOT coddle him, or try to reassure him, as this only reinforces the fear.

When your dog will do that much, you can close the car doors. Don't go anyplace, just get in the car with him and sit there for a few minutes, extending the time you sit in the car each day. Give plenty of praise, and treats to reinforce the good mood and happy feelings. If your dog shows signs of stress, back off in the amount of time, and build up at a slower pace. After about a week of sitting in the car for longer and longer periods of time, try going for a short drive. Just a short one though. Reward his relaxed posture, ignore any drooling and shaking. When you've returned to your home, lavishly reward him for a job well done. Repeat as necessary, this may be a short step, or a long one.
Your dog will soon realize that the car is not delivering him to a place of terror.

The next day take him someplace FUN. A dog park, a beach to run and swim at, somewhere fun for HIM. It is very important to remember that dogs tend to associate delivery methods with the end result.

If all else fails, and you you need to travel with your dog but he's panicked, try crating the dog in the car instead of having him loose in the car. You can try giving Benadryl at a dose of 1 mg per pound about 45 minutes prior to the car ride and see if that helps.

I hope that helps!
Best of luck,
Patti