Puppy Car Sick - Page 1

Does anyone have any advice on how to break my 10 week old pups car sickness!! He doesn't get "sick" but he drools like a Newfie!! I haven't had this problem with the Mali's just GSD! I've tried leaving him in the car for a stretch. I wait over 2 hours after he eats. Any ideas??

CMassGSD, it is winter, so this is not so easy if you are in the northern hemisphere! This is something that is easily corrected, but it does take time. Take the puppy to your car, and take a few very small treats. Turn on the radio, and set the volume low. Just sit in the car with the puppy and make sure he seems relaxed. When he is behaving and at ease, offer him a tiny treat and praise him. Do this several times over the next week, and if all is well sit in the car with the puppy and carefully start the motor and let it idle. If he is okay with this, then occassionally turn on the wipers, change the radio station, etc.. Again praise the puppy when all is well. When this is all well, take the puppy for a very short trip-as short as the length of a long driveway or as long as the distance around the block. As long as the puppy is fine he can occassionally receive a tiny treat, and should always receive praise. I think that within two (2) weeks you will have a puppy that will not refuse a ride in the car. Some dogs have a lot of apprehension about a moving vehicle, and need to understand that it is not an unpleasant experience. I know this particular situation very well, as I had to deal with a "drooler" about three (3) years ago. Bob-O

My guy was car sick for a couple of months. Someone suggested to me, Ginger Snap Cookies. Give them to the pup 1/2 an hour before going into the car. I would not feed the before traveling in the car. Wait a little while when you come home, and then feed him. He will get through this. Bob-O, You and others, on this board helped me when my pup was carsick at about the same age as this little guy. Dawn Bonome

You can also try ginger capsules or small pieces of ginger snap cookies.. calms the gut... that's why we drink ginger ale when we have stomach upsets... I would also go one step further than Bob-O and eventually feed this pup in the crate in the vehicle without it running.. but like Bob-O said, you go slow and take it one step at a time. It's usually just a matter of desensitizing and counter-conditioning... I use similar methods to get pups used to nail clipping and ear cleaning, etc... There is hope, my husbands now almost 10 year old awesome very accomplished agility dog used to start drooling when the keys were picked up!!! Now, he can ride anywhere, even in an airplane cabin, with no problem!!

I had the same problem with my pup. Just make sure that when going for a ride you do something enjoyable at the end of the short ride, so that the pup comes to look forward to the ride and the "reward" at the end of the trip - ie- special play time with a favorite toy, a new place to explore. Keep it low key and always positive! I would keep the food to a minimum. Even with this, it may not disappear for months, sometimes it is just something they have to outgrow.

I just wanted to add, my boy was 7 months old when he finally did not get car sick. He is now 11 months old, and is doing fine!! He LOVES Ginger Snap Cookies! Dawn Bonome

Great tips from all!! Ginger Snap cookies??!!! Sounds funny but desperate times.......I have a pick-up truck with a cap. I will give all the tips a shot!! Thanx to all of you!!!

They grow out of it. I just throw a few carpet sample in the bottom of the box and toss 'em when they get too icky. Once they realize we are going to TRAINING when they go in boxes in the car I have trouble keeping them OUT of the van. SS

Dkiah has hit the nail on the head. This is as a result of tension building in the puppy when placed in a confined and alien place. Initially, try feeding your puppy in the rear-boot cage [if appropriate] of the vehicle with the hatch open, and just sitting quietly in the garage with him/her. Continue to do this until you feel that puppy is now feeling more comfortable with being in the confines of the vehicle. Then take puppy initially on very short trips around the block, if necessary stopping to let him/her out of the vehicle. Continue in this manner until quite positive results are noted. Any regression go back to square one and start again. regards. brianb