Tips for Riding in the Car
Jill Hamilton provides these tips for riding in the car: You want the car to be a pleasant but not overly stimulating place. I lump poor car riders into two groups . . . those that are sick or afraid and those that are overly excited. I put sick and afraid together because they go hand in hand. A dog that physically gets sick learns to fear the car. Also dogs that are afraid of the car can make themselves ill just thinking about it. In the overexcited group, I think there can also be a fear/aggression component . . . not so much of the car itself and motion, but of the stuff they see approaching at dizzying speeds.

For either group I think basically the same approach can work, one based on acclimating the dog to riding in small, pleasant doses. Can your dog just sit in the car in the drive and be calm? If not, work on this a few nights. You might find just sitting with her and talking and petting is relaxing or you might need to treat for sitting in the car. When she can do this calmly, try starting the car and maintaining the same calmness. Proceed in small doses such as driving down the drive, around the block, for an ice cream cone etc. Keep it light and pleasant for the dog, apply treats and praise liberally. Praise the dog for being calm and avoid soothing or scolding for poor behavior.

If your dog is loose in the car, it may be quieter if crated. Solid walled Vari Kennels are probably best because they restrict the dogs vision. The one problem with a crate is it is harder to reward good behavior (i.e. treat) when the dog is crated and you are driving. The further up front a crate is in a car, the smoother the ride is for the dog. Being far back in the car is harder for both the sea-sick ones and the ones that just get too revved up. Practicing in the dark may be helpful as it cuts down on the visual stimulation. For the sick ones, check out motion sickness drugs so you can break the sick/fear cycle. If the dog has a dog buddy with whom she is calm (versus one she plays with nonstop) who is a good rider you might try taking them for rides together. Be sure most rides have pleasant destinations, i.e. not just to the vets.

Items that Ease Car Riding Problems

D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Spray (60ml)
D.A.P.™ (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) helps stop or prevent fear and stress-related behavior in puppies and adult dogs that result in: destructive behavior, excessive vocalization (barking, whining, etc.), house soiling, excessive licking, anxiety. D.A.P.™ helps comfort the puppies and adult dog in stressful situations such as: introduction to visitors or strangers, visits to the veterinarian, moving to new homes, adoption, novel and unpredictable situations leading to phobic reactions. In mammals, lactating females release substances called "appeasing pheromones" the function of which is to reassure the offspring. Canine "appeasing pheromones" are secreted by the sebaceous glands of the intermammary sulcus in the lactating bitch. These pheromones calm the puppy during times of stress and provide reassurance, particularly in unknown environments and when encountering novel experiences. Research has shown that the reassuring properties of these pheromones persist even into adult age. D.A.P.™ (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) reproduces the properties of the natural "appeasing pheromones" of the bitch.
 

Anxiety Wrap
The Anxiety Wrap uses a technique called "maintained pressure" to aid in calming your animal thereby allowing your dog to redirect their focus. The Anxiety Wrap is a wrap that applies slight pressure across a wide area of the body, stimulating the body's receptors to aid in the transmission of different sensations to different parts of the brain. When the animal receives this new information, it's awareness and focus can change, resulting in the animal "letting go" of the old sensation and modifying its behavior. A similar technique is used in children and adults with autism, providing a calming effect. When used with gentle training methods, the Anxiety Wrap can significantly reduce thunder phobia, barking, and other behaviors that would benefit from calming.

The Anxiety Wrap was created to fill an existing need, it's a holistic approach and an alternative to traditional behavior modification for dogs. When used properly it has proven positive to increase balance, self-confidence, focus, preparation for and during training, animal to animal socialization, animal to human socialization, bonding, relaxation, and more. Anxiety Wrap can help with releasing stress & tension, end jumping, stop destructive chewing, fear biting, car sickness, unnecessary barking, shyness, fear of loud noises, thunderstorm fear, sensitivity to touch, sensitive to sound, aloofness, emotional upset, hyperactivity, grooming issues and other anxieties.

Will my dog or cat like to wear the Anxiety Wrap?
Most willingly step into it while others may appear not to want it on. We suggest using treats to create a positive association. Even if your dog doesn't appear to want to wear the Anxiety Wrap the effects appear to be the same, it helps calm the dog.

Will my dog get used to the Anxiety Wrap and will it lose its effect?
The Anxiety Wrap shouldn't lose its effectiveness when used properly. One important thing to remember is to let your dog wear the Anxiety Wrap periodically during its daily routine. If you only use The Anxiety Wrap when a storm approaches, or when you're about to do your training exercises, the dog will associate the Wrap with the specific event. By allowing the animal to wear it occasionally you won't lock the dog into a pre-set behavior.
 

The Gentle Leader® Calming Cap is a new behavior management aid that is designed to lessen a dog's anxiety or aggression in high-stress situations. It was designed by Trish King, CPDT CDBC and director of Behavior & Training at the Marin Humane Society, in collaboration with Lisa Moore, CPDT. The Cap was developed originally to ease hyperactivity in a dog that became agitated while traveling in a car. Since then, pet owners and professionals across the pet industry have used the Cap to quiet and calm anxious or excitable dogs.

How It Works
The Calming Cap reduces the visual stimulus that makes a dog agitated by filtering his vision. It is not a blindfold. The single-panel sheer fabric window makes the dog's vision indistinct, while allowing the dog to easily navigate his surroundings. Things like people, tables, and doorways are still visible while smaller things like nail clippers and a vet's needles are obscured. Great for dog introductions, car rides, vet visits and nail clipping sessions.

 

Alcohol Free Herbs for Kids Chamomile Calm, 2 oz.
Chamomile Calm calms, balances and nourishes the nervous system. This blend is wonderful for soothing the over-energized, anxious, or exhausted child. It is also wonderful for our furry friends.

This combination of relaxing herbs relieves tension throughout the body, encouraging the free flow of creative energy and appropriate responses to stress. Nerve support herbs can help calm any stressful occasion: fear, pain, travel, teething, illness, thunderstorms, fireworks, etc.

Contents: A proprietary blend of an extract of Skullcap herb, Chamomile flowers, Fennel seed, Hops strobiles and Catnip herb. Other Ingredients: Kosher Coconut and/or Palm kernel glycerin, purified water and citric acid. Directions:  Shake well. Take directly or mix in small amount of water.

Weight Amount Up to 24 lbs 1.0 ml, 3 times daily 24-48 lbs 1.0 to 2.0 ml, 3 times daily 49-95 lbs 2.0 ml, 3-4 times daily Over 95 lbs 3.0 ml, 3-4 times daily

General calming agent Reduces physical tension Treats acute anxiety Great for thunderstorms,    fireworks, car rides & more

Ingredients: Certified Organic Valerian root, Skullcap herb, Oat flower, ethically wild-crafted Passionflower herb, vegetable glycerin, distilled water. Alcohol free. Suggested dosage: 20-40 drops as needed. 

High Quality, Safe & Earth Friendly
Animals' Apawthecary Herbal Tinctures, the number 1 choice of holistic veterinarians,  are safe, effective and easy to administer. All herbs used are selected from the highest quality certified organic or sustainably wild-harvested quality of American sources, hand-picked under optimum conditions for maximum potency by people who truly care about the survival of native plant species. They are formulated from the highest quality human food or supplement grade ingredients by leading veterinary herbalists who are intimately familiar with the needs and sensitivities of dogs and cats. The extraction process uses pure vegetable glycerin rather than alcohol to produce high quality, naturally balanced herbal tinctures with a sweet flavor that appeals to the taste buds of most dogs and cats.

As Tranquility Blend tastes sweet, it can be squirted directly into the mouth of your dog or can be added to his/her drinking water or food. Please keep in mind that no two animals are alike—the amount needed for effectiveness will vary from animal to animal.

Chill-Out, Calming Aromatherapy for Dogs  
A powerful blend of chamomile, lavender and sweet marjoram act to calm and quiet your dog. Highly effective in taking the edge off of stressful times. The applications for this mist are never ending: This treatment can help with hyperactivity, separation anxiety, insomnia, thunderstorm phobia, destructive nervousness, vet and groomer visits, and nighttime pacing. And, we’re sure you could come up with your own reasons!