Do puppies usually grow out of motion sickness? When?

[YankNChristmasCrackers]

Does anyone have a success story about a dog that grew out of being carsick?

We got our puppy at 9.5 weeks from the Cheshire Dogs Home, and he threw up twice on DH during the 20 minute journey home. That was completely expected (by me, unfortunately came as a surprise to DH).

He's managed 5 minute rides without being sick, but when we had to do 15 minutes to the vet at 10.5 weeks, he threw up again. Again not a complete surprise.

Since then he's only done 5 minute journeys and seemed not to be quite as stressed. Less whining, laid down and seemed calmer than before. Then today I had to make the 15 minute journey to the vet again with him and he shook, drooled, and threw up just before we got there, and then again outside when we got home. He's now 16 weeks, I mistakenly thought he might be over this what with being so successful with the short journeys?

Vet assistant said some dogs are always motion sick and he might just always be like this and need medication when travelling--I'm really hoping this isn't the case! All the dogs I've had in the past loved car rides. Any advice?

Would you expect a human to grow out of being travel sick?

That isn't meant to sound accusatory or aggressive, but motion sickness is not particular to any species.

You might be able to get a stock supply of travel sickness medication from your vet, if you plan to do a lot of travelling with your dog.

Sorry that your dog is suffering this (and your DH apparently)

Start with putting him in the car without moving it and having some positive event for him - a reward, or nice toy for him for a few minutes. After several sessions like that go on a 30 second ride up the road, again same positive event to happen for him. Keep gradually building up.

Your vet is correct that some dogs never grow out of it, but the vast majority will do. In many cases the problems are because they get negative reinforcement when they are sick (well who likes it?!) and that will be remembered and anxiety producing to them which compounds the problems with the motion. If you can gradually change it to positive associations you will be much further on making this work. 16 weeks is still quite young so dont worry too much just yet. Hopefully your vet also told you there is a tablet you can give (has to be prescribed) called Cerenia that can help overcome travel sickness. It is not all that cheap, but could be useful and worth the expense for some dogs going on longer journeys.

Meowy, my parents' puppy threw up in my car on her first car journey, but later on loved the car so much she would get in one at any opportunity! I wasn't sure if this was an unusual experience though.

beautiful, I did try giving him treats while in the car, but he wouldn't take more than one (definitely unusual). I suppose it will need to be back to basics with just sitting in the car while not running, eh?

I can't say we intend to do lots of travelling with him, but it would definitely be nice to get to the vet and back without sickness!

I think that often with dogs car sickness is associated with nerves/uneasiness as much as motion sickness itself. I have known a few people use DAP collars with much success. Also, if the puppy is crate trained or going to be, using the crate in the car can help.

As has been said, try and get the dog to associate positive things with the car and make slow steps, not even starting the engine at first. If you can avoid car travel at all during the process it will help.

My dog was like this but only in my car, think the ride was 'harder' than in his breeders car. Also she had him harnessed on front seat or in footwell.

Anyway, we did lots of things, over a period of time.

took him a walk past the car, opened the boot, put him in, gave him treats, took him out, took him for a walk, put him in the car, out again, treats boot closed, boot open.

He grew out of it, or got used to the car which is good as we drive to Scotland quite a lot!

On the other hand my DH family dog was so car sick he had to be sedated for every journey no matter how short it was. For his entire life, bless him.

Started yesterday just trying to get Patch to walk near the car and I think we have a problem....he is starting to shake even getting near the car.

Yesterday had to pull him along a bit and then gave treats and praise when he got within about a foot of the car. Walked around the car a few times and then stopped.

Today, tried opening the door and just getting him to come near the car again. Again, shaking, pulling away, barely tempted by the treats he normally loves. He eventually got right up to the car but scampered away again, pulling very hard.

Hope I am going about this the right way. We need to drive to his puppy class on 4th January and at this rate I don't think he will be ready!

I would go gently and slower than you are doing.

Feed him near to the car but the distance must be such that he is not worried.

Next meal move it a little bit closer

Continue like this until you are feeding him in the back of the car and he is happy. If at any stage he is worried go back a stage.

Feed him in the car with the boot open
then feed him in the car with boot shut
feed him in car with the engine on for 1 sec
feed him in car with engine on for 2 secs etc.

If he is not food orientated then you can play by the car etc.

Don't worry about the 4th Jan just see how you go over the next few days some dogs get over it quickly others can take a little longer. How far away is the puppy class

My dog was terrible as a puppy but is now never sick.

I did give her some homeopathic treatments and tried the short journey methods etc but to be honest I think she just simply grea out of it.

I was beside myself because I thought we'd never be able to take her anywhere but now we've happily taken her to Wales (lots of windy roads) and not had a problem.

It's about a 10 minute drive. Shorter distance than the vet's, which is 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.

I am also quite worried as he's had a little rash on his tummy that doesn't seem to be going away. What will I do if I need to take him to the vet?

Think you're right about going slower, but maybe I have to do it several times a day to build up so that I have a less nervous pooch on Jan 4th!

My dog used to drool so much in the boot that it went rusty. She loved going for walks, but was always very hard to catch when it came to the drive home. Then one day she crept as a tiny shaking bundle into the passenger's footwell ... and wasn't sick. She has travelled there ever since and now loves the car - when we can't find her it's usually because someone has left the car door open and she has fallen asleep inside, waiting for an outing.

he may feel safer in a more confined space in boot or on back seat.
My boxer who is very laid back. Has always been nervous in car. Dont know why. She is three and at the age of two she finally realised she can get in car by herself!!
Just stick with your pup and small steps will be made in the right direction Im sure.
My dog always travels facing backwards now. They just work it out over time. smile

No...One of our Rottys absolutely hates travelling. He's five and has never grown out of it. We even took him to a therapist. He absolutely cannot travel in a car for 5 mins without being sick. Fortunately we don't need to. We walk him everywhere....and if we can't, we don't take him . Which is never .

Apart from the odd dramatic first 5 minutes of a car journey my oldest dog who used to sound and behave like it was the worst experience of her life is now perfectly fine. My youngest dog slept in my arms for the 2.5 hour first journey home and has never had a problem.

Lot's of people I know also have a similar story of pups getting used to it over time - making sure you don't over fuss them when they do show signs of nerves is best, and lots of very short journeys with great walks at the end always helps.

Thanks for all the stories!

Just had another idea, there is a small car park near where I walk with him, and it would be about a minute in the car. The park is a little farther and might be about 2 minutes. Some good starting journeys for him I think!