Car Sickness - Page 1

On the way to Puppy Class, my pup got sick. No problem, cleaned it up. After class, we are going to the car and he starts backing up and not wanting to get into the car. On the way home got sick again. I fed him 5 hours before, and it was not a full amount. Any suggestions? I don't want him to think that the car is a bad thing, but I think he thinks, "Everytime I go in the car, I get sick. Anything I can give him so that he does not get carsick? Dawn

try a little pepto bismol. i give young pups about 2 to 3 ccs orally and its worked for me. i was told this by my vets office and i did it when transporting pups and it worked.

Hello, I have had great success with ginger for motion sickness. You can give this to dogs in the form of ginger snap cookies. I always give pups leaving for their new home cookies and send some along for the ride. All natural and it also makes going on trips fun. Give a cookie about 2 hours before leaving then repeat with another 1/2 hours beofre then repeat when getting into the car. sarah

I'll suggest another method, and that is conditioning the puppy so he realizes that the car is an "okay" place to hang out. If the weather is pleasant, take him to the car with you, roll down the windows, and just hang out together. You should turn on the radio so there is a bit of distraction. You may take some treats out there as well. At his age the food drive should be very strong and can be an excellent form of motivation. When he is happy to leap into the car, start taking him for short trips. Eventually, he will see the car as a fun place. I have a younger working-line bitch who never became sick in the cab of my pickup, but she did display serious anxiety. She was very hesitant to jump in the cab, and once in the seat would place her muzzle between my back and the seat and slobber on me until my shirt was soaking wet. On a trip to the veterinarian it was recommended that I obtain a mild tranquilizer for her. I declined to do this and used the method above to condition her. Within two (2) weeks she was happy to go for a ride, and did not slobber any more. Now she is like all of the other dogs who can't wait for the next ride. If you open a car door here, you must first make sure all of the dogs are secured. Good Luck. Bob-O

I agree with Bob-o you have to condition the dog for it and make it a fun and a happy place. Although ginger snaps as K9sar stated could be the treat for the beginning stages. Many breeders over look this and do not take young puppies on rides when they are 4-8 weeks to start conditioning.

My pup will be 4 months old, the 14th of June. Dawn

Dawn, if you still have problems with your puppy after a reasonable period of time and if more natural remedies don't help, you might want to ask your vet to prescribe Darbazine. It helps many dogs. There are some dogs that will always suffer from motion sickness no matter how old they are or how many car rides they have. Darbazine helps the majority of these dogs. The downside is that this drug trends to have a sedating effect (maybe not such a bad thing in a puppy!) and dries out their mouth. Blitz used to hate car rides, would salivate the minute he saw he was getting into the car. Now it's hard to go anywhere without him LOL. The meds helped him adjust.

I would start conditioning today. Like Bob-o said just get in and sit and play, give a treat and have fun, once he just used to that a short drive araound the block or if you life in the country down the drive way. Again make it fun. in no time he/she will enjoy riding Ps If I am working a new pupy I have my kids in the back seat with them loving on him that is a huge distraction.

That is great advice Bob-O...I too have had many many dogs (not all puppies) that get motion sick when riding in a car for the first few times...to get them over it I usually take them for small, short rides...and what this means is maybe around the short block or just down the road and right back...Just like training you want to end on a happy note...in this case it's when your puppy has not gotten sick and then you come home and enjoy the experience with your little friend... One note on how to prepare for the ride...and this is for most dogs but particularly the ones that have not had the chance to ride in vehicles that much...and that is DO NOT FEED the dogs before a trial - match - show...or just taking them for a first short ride...A few snacks after the ride is a great reward...Also usually it's not the ride that causes the unwanted effects but when you STOP the car... ~Bob~