Fear of the car heater

J

JessicaR

Forums Enthusiast
I need advise please :yes: Belle loves to go for car rides! she jumps right in with no problems, but she does not like the car heater/ac. when I turn on the heater she will start shaking, and pacing. if she is in the front seat she will jump to the back seat. I have been told by other to give her treats while the heater is on but she wont take them. I dont know what to do other than leave her home when we need to use the ac or heat.
 
Is it the noise or the blowing air in her face that is the issue?

Either way, you should consider using a crate while in the car. It might make her feel more secure and therefore the blowing vents won't disturb her so much. Its definitely safer for both of you, regardless.
 
I think its a bit of both. I do use a seat belt harness (no room for a crate)when I can but with 5 people in the familiy in a chevy impala we fill up the seat belts. when we drive in my husbands van she is better if she is in the back,(she still shakes though) she doesnt like the middle seat. I have tried just sitting in the car without going anywhere, with the heat on to try, and get her used to it, but so far that is not working.
 
Jessica, have you tried really high reward treats? When Bentley gets nervous he won't eat kibble or even his regular treats. But he'll almost never turn down a little piece of chicken or cheese.
 
This may sound stupid, and you probably already did this, but have you tried just having the air or heat blow on the floor only?

My Rachie loved sitting in the front seat with her face pressed as close to the AC vent as possible. She was not fond of the heat though so I had to have the heat blow on my legs and not my face
 
yes I have tried that she does calm down a little but she still shakes
as for the trewats I have tried chicken, liver, hot dogs none work. she will only eat them if the heater is off. I have also tried having her tennis ball in there since she is very toy motovated! nothing works! she can be a little stuborn when she descides she doesnt like something or someone :yes:
 
Try taking her for very short rides, Jessica, with the heater on low, and dose her beforehand with some Bach's Rescue Remedy first or a product I find works even better than that from the Azmira Holistic Animal Care line, their R & R Essence. You can find it online if no one near you has it. It's to help deal with stress and like Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic so won't hurt Belle. I'd give it at least 30 minutes before you leave and it should help. I'd also try keeping her in the back seat or wherever she can be away from the heater. Good luck!
 
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