Just a thought...becareful using a tennis court to run your dog. I have heard of alot of people whose greys slip a pad (tear) on the surface. It's a little too rough when they get really going.

CONGRATS on the car ride! I know its difficult sometimes, but doesn't that make the success that much better!

Good job and let us know if you need anything else!

Yeah Traci
Every little step is a big step for them. Eventually he should get used to riding and the panting won't be as bad. They get where they love to go for a ride if it is fun.
A good place to get poop clean up bags is to look in the dollar stores-they have disposable diaper bags and you get a box of 100 for $1.00-they have little handles that you tie up the bag and dispose. You will learn to carry bags with you whenever you take the dog out-and then if you are like me-you'll find the ones that were in your pockets in the washer.

that boy seems to like to poop everywhere! thanks for the tip on the bags. i am sure i am going to need them.

AND i know the tennis court was not a perfect place for him to run but i was desperate for a quick spot for us to go and that would be a little fun for odie. good thing is that he only trotted around with logan so he didn't get faster than a 6 year old's speed. but i think he had fun and we will venture out to places that are a little more dog friendly and a little further away each time. hey! maybe i will even get to come to a playgroup one day!!!! i think odie would love it! i will be the proudest mom ever when that day comes!!!

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traci
(mom to odie)

When I first got Zeppelin, she would stand up and pant for the entire ride.
I just ignored her and kept taking her whenever I could. Maybe because I already had Van Gogh and he always was a good rider, but after awhile, she learned to relax. We all go to the kennel twice a week and sometimes Zeppy still likes to stand with her face by the open window, but on the way home....all three are passed out cold.

speaking of opening the window... do you suggest that? i read somewhere in one of the many books i have read the past month that i am not supposed to let them HANG their head out the window... is a little crack ok? i just don't want to freeze him to death but i don't want him to feel suffocated either.

When I first leave the house I have the windows open and they like to hang their head out, but when I get on the interstate, I want them to lie down. They are top heavy, when they are standing and if I have to stop fast....I'd have 3 greyhounds on top of me. They usually lie down once we get going, but I tell them to "lie down," if they haven't already. I feel more comfortable with them all down, for their safety as well as mine. Besides, I can see better without three dogs blocking my view. If they don't lie down when I tell them to...I close the windows and then they lie down.

On the ride! You're on your way! Now, practice; practice; practice. He'll get better about the panting as he gets more secure and comfortable riding. One gal of mine took several weeks. After about 2 months, she'd hop in the car, find her comfy spot, and snooze (any excuse for a nap...).

you don't know how excited i was when he jumped right in the car after we had our little outing. i almost cried and then the panting started and i remembered that he still needs some time to get used to it. maybe i will try another excursion tomorrow... MAYBE he will get right in! if he doesn't, that's fine too. hopefully, it won't be long and we will make it to our first playgroup (which is at least an hour drive so it will take some time to work up to that)...

thanks everybody!!!

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traci
(mom to odie)

i took odie with me to pick up my step-daughter from soccer yesterday and he soaked the car with his panting/drooling but he did ok. he still is extremely nervous and i still have to practically pick him up to get him in but time will tell... i plan to take him again today to pick her up. i cracked the window this time... the drool caught the wind and went EVERYWHERE!!! i could tell he enjoyed himself more with it down so i will just clean the drool up after i get him out of the car. i pray this panting will calm down after a while. i feel so sorry for him. he looks so scared.

traci

Most greyhounds love to ride in the car. All I have to do is move my keys and I have 3 hounds right there...ready to go. If you think he's more comfortable with the windows open..leave them open. Make sure they aren't open enough so that he could jump out. The more you take him the more he will learn to love riding. Have you tried Rescue Remedy?
You can get it at a health food store. I put a couple of drops on the inside of the tips of their ears and massage it in. It works for dogs that are nervous during thunder storms as well.
Good luck.

never heard of it but i just looked it up online and it is something i will try... thanks!!!!

Rescue Remedy works to settle my boys for travel, but it does not seem to work on all dogs. Both of my boys will relax a little with RR.

Deniro has to have the window cracked or he will not settle down. Bernard could care less. Actually the window being open makes it worse for him sometimes because he does not like when we pass 18 wheelers or anything that makes loud noises.

i took him with me to get my step daughter from soccer practice again today and i tried something new. i put one of his dog beds in the back of the SUV. I had to pick up his front feet and stick them in but he jumped right in!!! he panted still but not as bad and it only took about a minute for him to lay down. he did much better today!!! when we get home he runs in and gets in the crate... i guess he is glad to be home.

this is him now trying to calm down from that stressful 10 minute ride in the car... still panting of course.

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Yep, the smell is coming from stress and panting. Glad you figured that one out. Your hound will get the hang of it. Tessie hates to ride in a car and Flame gets carsick.....bad carsick. We no longer take him to beachbound hounds. He is not small dog safe and he gets carsick. Not a good travelling buddy. Our one and only trip to BBH with him, he not only thew up on himself but also on Beecher, Tessie and Star. I had to give them all baths when we got there and wash all their dog beds and the van. What a horrible trip that was for several reasons.

yikes! well, odie doesn't get carsick but i think he does have a nervous stomach. every time we get in the car, he freaks out but then once we are where we are going, he poops immediately.

one good note on our trip today was that he didn't smell afterward so he obviously didn't get worked up as much as he has been.


traci