Train Car
Dog in the Car: How to Have a Car-Happy Pooch
Riding in the car freaks a lot of dogs out. Some shake until you swear their bones will snap. Some whine or bark, stressing out themselves and you. Others leap around from front seat to back creating a dangerous situation for both of you and everyone else on the road with you. Some get so upset they get a case of diarrhea which certainly no fun.
Wouldn't you like to change that? Wouldn't you like to have a road trip buddy who's a pleasure to travel with, your dog joyously sticking his head out of the window letting the wind blow back his ears on the way to play frisbee at the beach or dog park?
There are times when you have to take your dog somewhere in the car. They have to go to the vet or groomer or you're taking them to stay with a friend when you go out of town. That's part of the problem most dogs have with cars and being so fearful of going anywhere in them. It's because every time they do, something bad or unpleasant happens to them. Understandable. We'd be a little freaked out over that, too.
If your dog is fearful, let's get him over that. The first thing to do is to put him in the car with you. Right there in the driveway. You aren't going anywhere - you aren't even going to start the engine. You're just going to sit there and talk to him in a calm, happy voice and pet him for 5 minutes. At the end of the 5 minutes, get both of you out of the car, praise him and give him a treat.
Play with him for a while, something fun he enjoys, then repeat the process for another 5 minutes. Praise and play. That's enough for one day. Do this for several days in a row, or maybe skip one day but not more than that if you can help it, extending the time in the car by a minute or two each day.
Once he's staying calm in the car, try it with the engine running. Don't drive anywhere, just run the engine so he'll get used to the sound and vibrations. Again, pet him, praise him and play with him afterwards. He needs to unlearn the unpleasant associations and replace them with good ones.
When he's cool with that, try a short trip around the block, then longer trips, always praising, treating and playing with him afterwards. You will have a road trip buddy soon, one who looks forward to it!
If your dog enjoys riding in the car already but gets rowdy and too hyper to make it a pleasant experience for you, there's an easy way to fix it. Have him on his leash and when you get to the car, but don't open the door until he's calm. Once he is, open the door and let him jump in. Sit there with the car engine off until he's calm again and sitting or lying on the seat. Praise him for being such a good, calm boy. No treats for this one, his reward is to get to GO.
Start the engine but don't move unless he's calm and quiet. Sit there for as long as it takes. Drive around the block a few times, pulling over any time he starts to get rowdy or bark. Sit there until he's calm, praise him, then continue. You will be amazed how quickly this works with most dogs, even the most excitable.
Now that you've gotten this far, GO! Take your dog places - quick trips are great, even if it's just a quick trip to the drive-though window at the bank or lunch in the car at the Sonic. Show him that car trips are fun and routine and you'll have a well trained, car dog buddy forever.
For more information on training, nutrition and health of your pets, please visit her pet resource website at 4 Fur People and her blog Pet Passion Paradise Blog.
About the Author
Pat is a former Wildlife Biologist and professional animal trainer (birds, dogs and ferrets).
Train Car
 |
 DTD N SCALE MTL MICRO TRAIN LINES STATE CAR SET FT DIESEL SET CABOOSE  US $1,100.00
|
 KEY BRASS N SCALE 1880S BALDWIN MOGUL 5 CAR PLATFORM TRAIN MIB RARE US $675.00
|
 TOMIX 92968 JR Shinkansen Bullet Train Series 500 Goodbye Nozomi 16 Car Set US $599.99
|
 TOMIX 92991 JR Shinkansen Bullet Train Series 300 3000 Tokaido Sanyo 16 Car Set US $579.99
|
 MicroAce A6976 JNR Freight Car Type TOKI 21100 TOKI 21500 Steel Coils Train US $549.99
|
 Model Train 10 399 Kato Series E26 CASSIOPEIA 6 Car Basic Set N Gauge Japan US $406.00
|
 MicroAce A3371 JR Suburban Train Series 223 0 O CAT Luggage Car 8 Car Set US $399.99
|
 KATO 10 327 EUROSTAR 8 car AND 10 328 4 car ADD ON SET N Scale Model Train RARE US $394.99
|
 MicroAce A8170 Izukyu Corporation Electric Train Series 100 Air conditioner 7Car US $379.99
|
 MicroAce A7654 JR Multipurpose Experimental Train Series 209 MUE Train 7 Car US $379.99
|
 MicroAce A4022 JR Suburban Train Series E231 Tokaido Line Basic 10 Car Set US $359.99
|
 MicroAce A6684 Eidan Subway Electric Train Series 3000 Original Door 8 Car Set US $349.99
|
 MicroAce A6685 Eidan Subway Electric Train Series 3000 Door Replacement 8 Car US $349.99
|
 MicroAce A6081 Hokuso Railway Electric Train Series 9100 1st Edition 8 Car Set US $349.99
|
 MicroAce A5071 Eidan Subway Electric Train Series 03 Hibiya Line 8 Car Set US $349.99
|
 MicroAce A6259 JNR Suburban Train Series 415 Joban Line 8 Car Set US $349.99
|
 KATO 10 868 JR Shinkansen Bullet Train Series E2 Tohoku Hayate 10 Car Set US $349.99
|
 TOMIX 92784 JNR Commuter Train Series 475 Hokuriku Main Line Old Color 6 Car US $339.99
|
 MicroAce A0314 JR Hokkaido Limited Express Series 781 DORAEMON Train 6 Car Set US $339.99
|
 TOMIX 92980 JR Commuter Train Series 209 500 Keihin Tohoku Line 10 Car Set US $329.99
|
 MicroAce A5032 Tokyo Metro Electric Train Series 06 Chiyoda Line Basic 6 Car Set US $329.99
|
 MICROACE A0371 JR Series 783 HIPER KAMOME 9 Car Train US $325.00
|
 KATO 10 408 10 409 JR 253 NARITA EXPRESS 9 Car Train US $325.00
|
 TOMIX 92821 JR Shinkansen Bullet Train Series N700 7000 Sanyo Kyushu 8 Car Set US $319.99
|
 MICROACE A0314 JR Series 781 DORAEMON 6 Car Train US $310.00
|
 MicroAce A0626 JR Suburban Train Series 115 300 Suka Color Toyoda Unit M40 6 Car US $309.99
|
Does anyone know of any car train on the east coast that allows small animals.?
I am always traveling between Asheville, NC and Fort Lauderdale, Fl and hate the drive. I would love to try a car train for at least part of the way but Amtrack doesn't allow pets and I have a small dog. Is there any other trains?
no, sorry. amtrak has only 1 auto train, it only picks up and drops off at lorton, va and sanford, fl. even tho it goes through eastern carolinas, it doesnt make any stops for passenger or auto loading.
at this time, there are no other auto trains anywhere in usa nor any at all in canada. however, there are several good markets, so hopefully one day, but not yet.
and right, amtrak (and buses too) doesnt allow pets on any of the trains anyway, so if you need to travel with pet, you have to fly or drive. it is a bit unfair, but there are legal reasons behind it,
Congress passed the pet-prohibition laws back in the 1970s, so you need to get Congress to change the law, it is out of Amtrak's control.