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Dog's aversion to riding in Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by rottie*lover, Apr 4, 2011.

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  1. rottie*lover

    rottie*lover Junior Member

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    Our golden retriever pup, a little over a year old, doesn't want to get into my wife's Prius. She has ridden in the car before, with the occasional throwing up, but thanks to Dramamine this became a non-issue.
    She used to go into work with my wife almost every day. Now, to get her into the car we would have to literally drag her there. So, obviously, this is a no-go, and she stays in her crate at home unless I'm able to take her into my office.
    The funny thing is, she will not hesitate to jump into my VW Passat. No hesitation, eager to go. And, quite frankly, my wife is a better driver than I... :D She has been off the Dramamine now for a little while for rides in both of our cars with no problems.
    You may think I'm nuts, but I'm wondering if there is possibly some type of electromagnetic radiation given off by the motor or battery pack that may be causing her some type of distress. This is pure speculation, but it is the only difference between our two cars. I know for a fact that animals are sensitive to a wide variety of external stimuli (i.e. earthquakes, storms) that we humans don't necessarily perceive.
    I'd be interested to know if any of you have had this type of experience. I've Googled this many different ways, but came up with nothing. Or, maybe you could give me a direction to head...
    Thanks in advance!
    -Matt
     
    #1 rottie*lover, Apr 4, 2011
  2. krelborne

    krelborne New Member

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    I think your dog's been watching a lot of Top Gear.
     
    #2 krelborne, Apr 4, 2011
  3. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    You're dog is a prius hater and you know what we do to prius haters.
     
    #3 macmaster05, Apr 4, 2011
  4. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Maybe your dog hears high pitch squeals that we humans can't hear.
     
    #4 adamace1, Apr 4, 2011
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could she be hearing the brakes barking?
     
    #5 bisco, Apr 4, 2011
  6. J5A

    J5A Active Member

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    Maybe she hates the Prius leather. :(

    But, there might be something to the high pitched noise theory that might be true.
     
    #6 J5A, Apr 4, 2011
  7. flareak

    flareak Fleet Captain

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    I think I'm inclined to go with adamace's explanation. There's probably some high frequency whine from the battery or electric motor that is not picked up by human ears. As far as EMF, there was a post where EMF were recorded and they are not higher than any norm inside the cabin.
     
    #7 flareak, Apr 4, 2011
  8. danvee

    danvee Blizzard Brigadier

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    FWIW, my friend's newly acquired (6 weeks ago) 2010 Prius IV has, as a regular passenger, a Cocker Spaniel, who has no problem at all riding for hours on end. In fact, the dog just hunkers down in the back seat and sleeps through most of the trips.
     
    #8 danvee, Apr 4, 2011
  9. krelborne

    krelborne New Member

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    Yes, that's not a bad theory. The car makes a noise when the driver's side door opens. Perhaps the dog dislikes that sound?

    Our dog also preferred certain cars, but I thought that was due to the difference in height. Higher jump = unwillingness to enter.
     
    #9 krelborne, Apr 4, 2011
  10. eldiee

    eldiee Member

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    Our Lhasa-Poo can't wait to get in our Prius and go anywhere we will take her.
     
    #10 eldiee, Apr 4, 2011
  11. rottie*lover

    rottie*lover Junior Member

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    I have to make two more posts before I can post this....
     
    #11 rottie*lover, Apr 4, 2011
  12. rottie*lover

    rottie*lover Junior Member

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    One more time..
     
    #12 rottie*lover, Apr 4, 2011
  13. rottie*lover

    rottie*lover Junior Member

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    I'm glad you brought this up... sounds (no pun intended) like a logical theory. I googled this and found this post from a forum member in 2007 (Ok.. can finally post this. I wasn't allowed to post a URL until I had five posts....):


    This is not a joke!

    For some reason my Golden Retreiver will not ride in the Prius. He seems to be deathly afraid of something in the car; my guess is that it is either some high frequency tone or vibration that I can not sense. Each time I try to get him in the car he hunches his shoulders and back slides out of his harness.

    His problem is only with the Prius. He loves to ride in my Chevy pickup and the Jeep and usually it is him that decides we need to go for a ride in those vehicles. But there's something he doesn't like about the Prius - has anyone else experienced dog ride refusal in a Prius?
    Soooo... maybe it's the breed? Guess I'll have to find some doggie earplugs! :D
     
    #13 rottie*lover, Apr 4, 2011
  14. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    How's your wife's driving?

    It might not be the car..... :D

    (sorry...but there are lotsa Prius drivers with pooches!)

    Welcome Aboard BTW...

    :welcome:
     
    #14 ETC(SS), Apr 4, 2011
  15. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    Why don't you switch cars and see if it's your dog's aversion to going to your wife's work.
     
    #15 sipnfuel, Apr 4, 2011
  16. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    My dog really doesn't like the car. She whines and barks the whole time, and won't settle down. I think it's because the only times she goes in it are to go to the vet, or to be dropped off with a sitter.
     
    #16 hyo silver, Apr 4, 2011
  17. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    The Prius is a wonderful car, but most self-respecting canines would prefer to be seen roaming freely in the bed of a pick-up or in the passenger seat of a convertible Corvette. Even Lassie didn't get the concept of MPG and the Prius isn't all that comfortable with your head poked out of an open window in the breeze. No decendent of wolves will appreciate heated seats and the quiet ride of a Prius is as boring as watching a cat through a double-paned window. A cleaver dog may comprehend how the rear windshield sprayer can mark your scent along miles of highway, but that perfumed odor would damage the reputation of any dog but a Poodle. Get a Dodge Powerwagon or a Corvette for your adrenalin-seeking dog and carry people in the Prius.
     
    #17 mad-dog-one, Apr 4, 2011
  18. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    :)

    Mine's a Dingo instead of a wolf, but same idea. She just doesn't seem to like the concept of motorised transportation.
     
    #18 hyo silver, Apr 4, 2011
  19. rottie*lover

    rottie*lover Junior Member

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    Thanks! Maybe it's my wife!!?? (I didn't say that!)
     
    #19 rottie*lover, Apr 4, 2011
  20. rottie*lover

    rottie*lover Junior Member

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    I wouldn't mind the Corvette either... anyone want to buy a Passat? :D
     
    #20 rottie*lover, Apr 4, 2011
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