Don’t try to calm down your whining dog

Dori’s dog, Star, can’t handle road trips.

The dog wouldn’t stop
whining.

Dori’s dog Star went into panic mode when they got on the
road for a three-hour drive home after a weekend away.

“Dogs have personalities just like humans do,” explains
dog trainer David Wiley with Bark Busters. Just like people, he
says, some dogs handle riding in the car better than
others.

Dori’s dog has never been in love with car rides. When she
was younger, she would appear anxious until they hit the
freeway. As the car started cruising she’d lie down and
fall asleep until the car slowed down again.

That’s not the case anymore. “Things she (Star) was
comfortable with or tolerated when she was younger could
become problems,” Wiley says.

When the whining is incessant, Wiley suggests opening a
window to give her some fresh air or pull over at a rest
stop and let her walk around a little bit.

Last weekend, when the whining wouldn’t stop, Dori’s
daughter started petting Star to try and calm her nerves.

Wiley says that’s a “don’t.”

“If you give her attention and try to console her, if you
try to sooth her and calm her, it can feed into that
anxiety.”

For uneasy car riders Wiley suggests putting them in a
crate, especially if they’re crate dogs on a regular
basis.

If the problem persists, Wiley says it’s not a bad idea to
consult a vet. They can prescribe dogs like Star something
to calm them down and recommend nerve-soothing over the
counter options too.