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[mwernsy]

Hey Everyone,
Just wondered if you have experienced any car issues with your TRD.  Nikita and Diamond have no issues, but Samson always has.  I remember Jack telling me he hurled all over his car on the way to the vet before leaving Thailand.  Well, after 2 1/2 years, with some mistakes in his training along the way, I have recommitted to working on this issue.  Using the information I was given by Cenflo from Fla, who's Boomer seems a lot like Samson.  Samson is a more shy TRD, not nearly as confident as Nikita, and definitely not liking the car. 
Over the past two weeks, we have been working more diligently on this, starting with very short rides, taking him out for a walk and heading back home.  The key I learned was to make him lay down, and it has worked.  As long as he is laying down, and he gets lots of treats for laying down, he doesn't even drool. The first day we did this he would lay very stiff, and now you can see he lays much more relaxed.  We have definitely made some mistakes early on by not continuing to take him out(his puking get in the way).  So, now with 3 TRD, we are working hard to make sure Diamond(who is one of the 7 pups from Samson and Nikita), get many opportunities to experience things that will help build their confidence and let them just have fun.

Below are some pictures my daughter took while we, for the first time, took all three for a ride to a park about 10 minutes away.  Also, pic of Samson on the ride back, so relaxed he is about to fall asleep.  However relaxed he is, I am still sure if he sat up, he would start drooling.

Enjoying a run to his mama(me:) - and the reward below

She almost got us all in, but dad kept walking too fast

Finally, Samson much more relaxed on the ride home.

[admin]

Samson really suits him.. he is so magnificent.. you truly must be proud of him as you stroll down any street..

[mwernsy]

Hey Jack
He is a pretty boy - just fairly insecure; but I think we can get him more confident.  I wish I would have worked with him on thisw more when he was younger, but I believe never too late:).  Pretty soon, I am going to get him in a class.  It is just partially his personality, so I know he will never be like Nikita, but in some ways, around people, he can be better, if not a lot of commotion. He spent about 1 hour in the car today(all three) off and on.  Vet visit, then just a drive, then out for a walk and to explore around a pond, and back home.  Got up a few times, but Ashton was in the back and made him lay back down - no puking!!!!!   ye hah!!!!!!!

BTW - I went to the vet today to have him take a look at their coats.  Samson and Diamond are losing hair in patches.  Vet thinks might just be some allergies, and we have them out in grass and woods more; or could be hypothyroidism.  He just suggested for now, to spray them off with cool water after they have been out and give benadryl.

Do you or anyone else know of TRD have any hypothyroidism issues?  He asked me to pose the question to you and others in the breed. 

[MischiefsMom]

Mischief definitely has the car ride issues, but she's manageable now.  I used to have to pick her up and put her in the car, but now she gets in herself.  I tell her, 'let's go,' and she climbs in and lays down on 'her spot' which can be in the front seat, back seat, or hatch, but she knows where she's supposed to go because it's marked with a plastic-on-the-bottom mattress pad (ya know, for bed-wetting).  She just goes to that thing and lays down.  Sometimes she drools, sometimes she still pukes, sometimes she just fine or even sleeps.  The only thing that seems to make a difference is if she's tired or not.  Tired is good for car rides.  

Also, the only moving thing she's ever ridden in and had no issues whatsoever: a canoe.  Yes, my dog will ride nicely in a canoe.  She has a little doggy life vest and every thing, so cute.  I have pics, but not in digital form yet, so I will have to get those up here....

[mwernsy]

Can't wait to see the canoe pictures.  Samson has no more puking issues, but does drool often.  He is not allowed to sit up and that has made the difference.  We have a suburban and put down the middle seat for the dog's area.  I also put a comforter there that used to be on our bed, so he is used to laying on it.  I think that helps too.  I still have to put him in the suburban most of the time, unless it is to go back home.  He jumps right in then.  Occasionally he will sit up, and I make him lay back down, or whoever is in the vehicle with me will make him lay back down.

Early on in the training, there was one time on a 1 and 1/2 hour trip back home, in the dark, I layed down on the floor of the suburban with samson and there was no drooling at all.  I do believe he does much better when riding at night.  Probably a little more tired and can't really see things going by.

Diamond has no issues in the car at all, but I think Beau and Aegis both do.  I think if you keep making Mischief lay down, she may get even better as she matures.

Get some pictures posted:)

[BigAirHarper]

I am fixing to get my first TRD and I'm curious if anyone else has experienced major problems of car sickness with their TRD?  I drive about 4.5 hrs each way once a month and wasn't expecting that to be an issue.  So I'm a little concerned b/c I don't want my dog to be puking during the trip.

[admin]

My suggestion is a airline crate in the car or truck on the first trip home.. then check it out as you drive..

I will take him today for a ride on my front seat and see what he does..

He sure is a beautiful dog and I will miss him..I will take some fotos of his half bro and dad soon.. as they are all i have and YES he is a man now.. two bitches in a week he has tapped..

[mwernsy]

If you are taking him from the airline to home alone, then I would crate him.  Both our dogs rode in someone's lap home.  Samson did a lot of drooling.  I have been able to remedy his car issues.  It is a matter of training and how often you take him on rides.  If he does have issues, start with short rides.  Be sure you have someone with you and make him lay down.  Of course, be sure to get out somewhere and play:).  Increase the ride time.  You might even start at night.  I have found that Samson is way more relaxed when he rides at night.  Not as much for him to see, and being sight hounds that probably helps.  He still drools at times, sometimes more than others, but rarely when in the car at night.  We put down the middle seat in our suburban and put a comforter there.  I think that helps too.  It was a comforter we used to use on our bed, and he sleeps in our bed:).  Sometimes my son will lay down on the floor with him, but this doesn't happen very often.  I think anything you can do repetitively and making it more comfortable for him will help.