Hi there, I have taken my westie 14 week old pup on about 4 car journeys now. All short ones of about 10 mins. He hates the car, he whines all the time and I find it very distracting so do not want to take the car longer distances at the moment. I have tried to take him to nice places such as the park which he enjoyed but started pulling away as soon as he saw the car again. It is a struggle to get him into his harness and takes several attempts as he wriggles so much. I have tried giving him treats but it doesnt help. Any ideas?

My oldest never like the car , he wouldn't struggle to go in but everytime he saw it he would start whining when he was in it and whining when he walked towards it. It was just something he hated but knew he had to get into! What about putting the harness on inside the house and carrying him into the car , he's not a 80 pound dog.

Maybe try just sitting with him in the car, with the engine off and not going anywhere. Short times at first, then building up. Then maybe try with the engine on, but still not going anywhere. Gradually getting him used to being in the car. I have my pup in the car most days and he has never minded. Maybe your pup just needs to get used to it if he has only ever been in it 4 times.

HTH

Hi June - I've got a 12 wk old border terrier.  He didn't like the car v much when we first started taking him out and if we got the harness out he would hide in his bed (!) but just in the last week or so he's beginning to get used to it.  Just persevere and it won't be long before he realises the fun places he can go to with you!  Good luck.

Hi June,

in line with other replies you could a) put the harness on indoors and then have a short game with him etc for 5 minutes to distract the immediate association of "nasty harness" & nasty car".  Then, b) sit in the seat beside him in the car until he's more settled.

On a personal level, I don't like harnesses and would only use a cage - but that is personal preference and whatever is most practical for your vehicle.  If you can have a cage however, I'd scrap the harness now :)

If using the harness method, I'd  recommed getting him used to sitting in the car, harness on but not restrained and with the engine off.  Do this for a few minutes at a time, say 3 x daily gradually increasing period over say 3/4 days and then fix harness, sit with him for reassurance and continue as before for 2 days, car still parked.  Then try having engine running, work with him a minimum of 3 x daily for a couple of days and if he's more at ease try moving the car slowly for say only 50 or 100 yards.   NEVER reverse in the early stages - this confuses them and can cause travel sickness even just coming out of the driveway ;)

Beyond that it is a case of slow and gradual build up to avoid negative experiences in the car such as feeling sick.  When he can be driven without getting himself in a state for say 5 minutes, stop the car and take him for a walk (preferably in an area like parkland but that depends on your location :) )  Spend longer with him out of the car than the journey back will be.

At 14 weeks he's very young and it should be relatively easy to overcome his anxieties providing you don't pressure him.  If you desensitise him by having him in it, initially unrestrained and car parked and then increase periods at his pace then with patience and habitual opportunities to learn cars mean either fun or even just settle down for a nap then he will learn to relax.

Good luck, Teri :)

ps. if the harness is a real issue for him, why not try putting it on him during the day without going near a car (constantly supervised of course) :)  Just have him wear it to play a game with you and even to eat his meals?

Thanks, I do put the harness on in the house and carry him to the car. I am using a crate in the house however I find this too cumbersome to keep moving around so I am not keen to use in the car. Also if we are going away as a family there would not be room for a crate and luggage. However I am also thinking of getting a walking harness as I think he would be more comfortable walking as the pull would not be around his neck. Also the collar keeps slipping around and then he trips over the lead. I saw a Kumfi safety harness on the internet. It has an attachment to use as a car harness too so it might make this a smoother process. What harnesses do other westie or similar size dog owners recommend?

In the meantime I will try all your above advice.

Had a similar problem with our GR puppy. As well as the posted advise we also;
Fed him in the car with the car on the drive, doors open.
progressed to closed doors engine running
Then closed doors engine running and us not being close by
All with his food.....................he then began to associate being in the car with something good... food!

Whilst doing this do not take him out in the car, he must only get good experiences in the car.

next stage was to put him in the car with my daughter on the drive to play with.

Eventually progressing to a short drive with my daughter playing with him in the 'boot'  , we have an estate.,

Gradually we legnthened the journies with her in the back, then started to get her out of the back part way through the journey.
As soon as he showed sighs of distress, she went back in with him.

It took about 5 weeks in all, but eventually he was fine in the car, especially if given a Kong filled with something to keep his interest.

He is now fine and seems to enjoy car journeys.

Now..if only we could cure the car sickness!!!

Mine would not accept it when crated but will travel fine now lose in the back behind a dog guard with the other one with no fuss whatsoever.

Have you tried Bachs Rescue Remedy this is very good or you can get Valerian drops which is a herbal remedy which works very well on the calming  and sickness  front.

Used a lot with excitable horses and works a treat!!!!!!!