I don't have any real advice on how to deal with PTSD but I do know that it is indeed true for dogs (and humans, obviously). Shelby developed pretty serious PTSD when she broke her leg prior to her cancer diagnosis. We have a long and tired story that I won't bore you with but I did ask our vet when I noticed Shelby was having anxiety riding in the car (she missed the jump and slipped) as well as a lot and I do mean a lot of doggy bad dreams. Our vet confirmed that dogs, indeed, can suffer from that. I did start to give Shelby treats in the car, take her fun place and always placed her in and out of the car and made it her safe place again. She always loved the car so that was hard.

As for me, I have suffered PTSD from when I was in Boston for the marathon and the bombs went off at the finish line. It has taken many years to not freak out when I hear loud booms (like fireworks or a car backfire) but it has gotten better. I would encourage you to talk with someone if you think that might help. 

And with my new dog, I definitely never let her jump in or out of the car ... it's been over 2 years since Shelby broke her leg but I still have flashes of horror thinking about and definitely cannot go back to the place where it happened so perhaps I am not really healed but have de-sensitized myself enough.

Hang in there ... hugs!!!! 

Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)

I agree on trying to re-direct. Tanner has crazy anxiety attacks while in the car. He was found as a stray after being what they think was hit by a car, but I often wonder if he was thrown out a car window. We try to redirect him while in the car, with treats and belly rubs (his favorite things). He still is NOT great but he's getting a little better, one tiny step at a time. I'm no behavioral expert, but maybe the sound of the truck is making him feel like he wants to warn everyone of it's presence b/c to him its the big bag monster that hurt's things.

Also I read somewhere about a dog who barked at everything (it was his way of telling his mom that there was something threatening), and she would redirect him and acknowledge that she knew the threat was there (she exerted confidence too). The dog then just started looking at her when he felt a threat and she would say "I see it" and he'd relax. He knew she was in control and he didn't have to be so "protective". Might be worth a shot. 

I'm so sorry for the experience that both you and Teddy went through.  Actually reading your story took me back to when I was a small child and our German Shepherd named Princess.  We lived in town and had a fenced in back yard that Princess got out of.  I remember mom being panicked and her and a neighbor were carrying Princess on a blanket.  She'd been hit by a UPS truck (by accident).  She wasn't severely injured where she required an amputation.  When we moved out to the country she had 6+ acres to run and play in with not many neighbors around.  Whenever a UPS truck pulled into the driveway to make a delivery Princess would go hysterical over the truck biting at the tires and growling.  She never bothered the drivers but she hated that truck. 

I had never thought about Princess dealing with PTSD before your story. 

I'll send you both healing thoughts.

Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too

Rene, I've also wondered about that... sometimes I think there must just be too much 'baggage' and that it's learned ... like maybe how dogs learn to sit - they learn to be 'fearful' of the same things that spook them. Now Jasper goes absolutely BAT SH!T over skateboards ... she's gotten better w/cyclists but is fearful of big vans ... Oh how I wish she would / could tell me the why. But she is petrified of skateboards and I really, really hope she was never hit w/on or pulled along side one ... But I do wonder ... if they live in the moment but then she must remember something since she knows that she loves her mama! 🙂 

And I can't see the photos either but can't wait to see little Teddy!