Crazy Car Barking Update
I changed my approach in Jackson WY. Up til now, I've been operating on the basis that Chum needed to get herself under control and that I should not reassure or soothe her because that would foster her own anxiety. So instead, I've been trying to remove the stimulus by restriction her movement or vision, waited til she was calm outside of the car, or inside while the car was not moving. Got that pheremone atomizer to see if that would help. And tried various drugs. But none of these things helped and she continued to bark, pant, and salivate with eyes darting wildly. Well, in Jackson, it had gotten to the point where her whole body was shaking like crazy and she looked absolutely terrified. I concluded that this dog is unable to calm herself down so I held her tightly, said soothing things, and waited in the back with her til she stopped shaking. Then, when we started back up, when she started to bark, I massaged her scalp. I needed to keep her out of the crate so I could reach her while driving. If she was in the crate, she would bark like crazy. I also started feeding her by hand in the car while driving and giving her treats intermittantly. Lots of treats. When she starts to whimper, the rustling of the plastic bag seems to unlock her brain from whatever panic was setting in. And the barking stopped. The first 10 minutes or so are rough but with alot of soothing and distraction (food, massage) she gets it under control. The first day I thought maybe was a fluke. The second day lead to the post "Miracle in Salt Lake City." The third day I attributed to painkillers from the vet visit. But by the fourth day, I think it is real progress. With careful management, now she rides like this: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 4932&hl=en She even fell asleep in the car a couple of times.  |
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 Poor Chummie!
It seems that you have don a great job 
Hope the rest of your trip will become quit and that Chummie can enjoy the rest of it 
Thanks for the lovely pics you have chared with us |
| WOO HOO!!!!!!
That's incredible!!!! Can you please work with Mulligan a little bit? He's a dancer in the backseat, likes to jump at the other cars. Maybe a second career! Valerie the Dog Soother! |
| Wow - sounds like progress to me, too! Actually, what you are doing with Chummie sounds like what we have done with our cats!!! Treats, loves, and "fun" times in the car! I hope progress continues . . . |
Ron wrote: Can you please work with Mulligan a little bit? He's a dancer in the backseat, likes to jump at the other cars. Ummm, no.
It has really been so hard getting to this point. I really hope I never have a crazy car barker again. It takes all the patience I can muster to deal with it. Sometimes, I've actually had to leave her in the car and take a little walk by myself to calm down and try again. I am so glad for her progress because she loves the car and she seems to be enjoying it in a more healthy way. I hope it continues too because I would love to be able to take her places without dreading the car barking experience. |
| That's wonderful, Val! You are so patient. If you had to get out and go for a walk, I can't even imagine...I'm so happy that you've found a way for the rest of traveling to be more relaxing. XOXO |
| Wow, the difference in Chummie in this video compared to the previous ones is amazing. I bet the silence is deafening! You can even listen to the radio or a CD now. Good job! |
FANTASTIC Good Girl Chum and of course what a great mom you have.  |
Yippee!!  Silence is golden! Congrats, Val, on figuring out what Chum needed. You are so in tune with her. I'm so impressed!! Happy trails!  |
| Oh how wonderful, Val! This makes me so happy!! Congratulations on figuring out how to help your girl. You're a great sheepie Mom. |
Drezzie's Mom wrote: Congrats, Val, on figuring out what Chum needed. You are so in tune with her.
Yeah! It only took me fifteen months to get to this point. 
Still, it worked again yesterday. She starts out in a frenzy, but I hold her tight, massage her head, and then break out the treats. The holding / massaging is important. She won't take the treats if she is just barking wildly. And sometimes, I have to forcibly pull her out of the crate to do this. If she starts out in the crate, she is on barking auto-pilot. I only let her go in there after she's calmed down. And once she is settled down. I toss treats back to her from time to time. It is a huge improvement and I am just thrilled. It came right when I was about to give up on ever getting her to settle down. I think it is more enjoyable for her too. |
I wonder if hse she was slightly carsick and the treats helped settle her stomach. Maybe she had too much stomach acid... But no way is she going to let you go without her. 
Congrats on the success. |
| Good job Val! I'm happy for you and Chummie |
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