I just got a new Element on Saturday !! WhooHOO!!

And my agility dog (Ruben the Aussie) isn't too keen on it. I've driven the same car the entire time I've had him (he's only 2.5) and something about this car freaks him out just a bit. He just doesn't look comfortable.

I took him to agility class on Monday and he looked very nervous (but did well in class). On the way back home he lightened up a bit.

Besides kenneling him in the car (I know, I know, I should, but I like to have him near me) What can I do to make it easier?

Should I lay the back seats down so he's got more place to move around? Or is he just missing his old car and needs more time to get used to this new Dog Box??

What do you think? :-?

It will probably all be just fine. Are you taking your dog in through the back or the side doors? Mine like the side since it is really easy to hop in. We have done everything from the seats completely out to seats in. One dog just flops with her head in between the front seats and sleeps, the other prefers sitting on one of the back seats. We put a blanket over 'em (umm, the seats, not the dogs!).

I'm guessing after a few more trips to agility your dog will see that while it is different from the last car, this one takes him fun places too. When I first got the E, I actually sat in it with them while parked in the driveway so they got to sniff all around and check it out ... I read a book and we all just chilled in the back. Not sure that really made a difference to them, but I did it anyway (mostly cuz I just loved being in the thing!!).

Let us know how things go, and post a picture of the dog in the car!

It is possible the dog doesn't like how the rubber floors feel on his pads. Try putting down some blankets and see if that makes a difference.

Just curious why you don't have the dog secured with a seatbelt?

I just got a new Element on Saturday !! WhooHOO!!

And my agility dog (Ruben the Aussie) isn't too keen on it. I've driven the same car the entire time I've had him (he's only 2.5) and something about this car freaks him out just a bit. He just doesn't look comfortable.

I took him to agility class on Monday and he looked very nervous (but did well in class). On the way back home he lightened up a bit.

Besides kenneling him in the car (I know, I know, I should, but I like to have him near me) What can I do to make it easier?

Should I lay the back seats down so he's got more place to move around? Or is he just missing his old car and needs more time to get used to this new Dog Box??

What do you think? :-?


YAY nice to see another agility person in here!!! Cowgirl actually hated the E for multiple reasons. I think that she loved standing up in the back of the pathfinder and looking out the windows. At very first I made the seats flat and let her look out the windows that way but of course the seats are not as firm as a "floor" so she was not overly thrilled with that either. Finally I filpped the seats up and put down some giant crate pads so that she did not slide on the plastic. She can not look out the windows but she got used to it.

I basically ignored the fact that she was not thrilled with her new ride. I reminded her that I was paying for the dog food and she was just going to have to suck it up :shock:

As long as the floor is not slippery (cover it with something) he will make the adjustment, just do not respond on any level the the dogs nervousness and it will go away in a hurry. The worst thing you can do is acknowledge that he is upset, you are his leader and as long as you are relaxed he will follow suit.

Kalinka

It is possible the dog doesn't like how the rubber floors feel on his pads. Try putting down some blankets and see if that makes a difference.

Just curious why you don't have the dog secured with a seatbelt?


I know he "should" be restrained. But I loath to do it. He's a very good and calm boy, and never had any riding issues in the other car. Also, my former sedan didn't have NEAR the room to move around that the E does. He couldn't go far and didn't. I know he'd be safer in an accident, but I like the idea of having him have a bit more freedom of motion. He's "restrained" on leash at all the agility trials, on walks, etc, so....

He probably wouldn't mind a seatbelt that much. Maybe I'll go take a look at them.

Kang Kitty thinks that Ruben the Aussie will adjust to the Element just fine. Though, if you would put one of his blankets or another familiar object in with him, it might help him adjust quicker.

On the other hand, if you just need the company, Kang Kitty likes the Element already.

Kang Kitty thinks that Ruben the Aussie will adjust to the Element just fine. Though, if you would put one of his blankets or another familiar object in with him, it might help him adjust quicker.

On the other hand, if you just need the company, Kang Kitty likes the Element already.


Oh that's awesome!!! My older cat used to ride nicely in the car. I think she really liked it. Now we have a "house call" vet because her younger sib HATES the car. So no more reasons to ride her around. Sigh..

I've put his regular car blanket in the E now, I think it will help him. Plus just more exposure.

I have heard of people laying both back seats flat and putting a dog bed on top. I keep my seats out and put down a small carpet for my Aussie and she does fine. If the back seats are in, she will sit on them if they are not occupied. Occasionally, she will lay or stand on the center console (even when there are coffee cups in the cup holders), but does this mostly when we are getting close to a hiking trail. Give your dog time, I am sure he will get used to it. Mine adapted immidiately, but then again she spent the first year and a half either on the streets or in a shelter, so she is not too picky:D .

I know he "should" be restrained. But I loath to do it. He's a very good and calm boy, and never had any riding issues in the other car. Also, my former sedan didn't have NEAR the room to move around that the E does. He couldn't go far and didn't. I know he'd be safer in an accident, but I like the idea of having him have a bit more freedom of motion. He's "restrained" on leash at all the agility trials, on walks, etc, so....

He probably wouldn't mind a seatbelt that much. Maybe I'll go take a look at them.

It's actually as much for your safety as the dogs. Flying dog in an accident can kill you or send them through a window.

I know about this from my Sister. She belts her dog in the car all the time, they have travelled with her cross country a few times and go camping and on hikes every weekend. She was belted in since she was a pup.

Oh yeah, I should have mentioned our fancy rig-up, learned from someone else on here. We put a seatbelt harness on each dog, then attach an extra leash to the harness (so it clips on their backs) to the back-seat grab handles. They can roam around plenty on a 6 foot leash, and with only one dog he won't tangle much (although ours do pretty well). Then if you are in a wreck, they won't projectile very far and the harsh pull will be distributed across their chests instead of on a collar (eeeeks). Let me know if this makes sense ... I could post a pic if you need.

This setup also keeps them from jumping out of the E. We clip their regular leash to the collar before unhooking the extra grab-handle leash from the harness. Then they're safe with us and we can all enjoy the getting out of the car experience. :)

Oh yeah, I should have mentioned our fancy rig-up, learned from someone else on here. We put a seatbelt harness on each dog, then attach an extra leash to the harness (so it clips on their backs) to the back-seat grab handles. They can roam around plenty on a 6 foot leash, and with only one dog he won't tangle much (although ours do pretty well). Then if you are in a wreck, they won't projectile very far and the harsh pull will be distributed across their chests instead of on a collar (eeeeks). Let me know if this makes sense ... I could post a pic if you need.

This setup also keeps them from jumping out of the E. We clip their regular leash to the collar before unhooking the extra grab-handle leash from the harness. Then they're safe with us and we can all enjoy the getting out of the car experience. :)

A picture would be much appreciated if you could. Thanks.

Both rough collies my 7.5 yo Sable boy and 10mo old blue merle girl had no problems in their first ride in my new Element. Kate is crated. Rear seat have removed and Duncan is rides behind the front seats secured with a leash etc.
They enjoyed the trip to their weekly herding lesson. They both behaved normally when we got to my herding instructor's farm. No new issues when we worked the Kate has large wire three door crate I got from JB Wholesale.
Duncan did fine working on his driving. Kate did well too. She loves to body block 200lb sheep. She is not gripping or biting the sheep as much.