Travel Sick Dog

[IlsaLund]

We have a beautiful new dog - she is 2 years old (we've had her for 6 weeks)

Before coming to us she had never been in a car- she can manage about 10 minutes before being sick so we have been taking her on short journeys everyday.

When we got her she was very reluctant to get into the car so we have spent a lot of time putting her in and out (rewarding with treats) sitting in the boot with her and leaving the boot open when we are at home so she can jump in and out.

We can't seem to build up past the ten minute journey - does anyone have any suggestions so we can take my lovely girl further afield

Just to add if we are actually going on a journey we don't give her treats to get into the car, just lots of encouragement.

Travel sickness meds.

it sounds as if you are doing all the right things. as you have only had her 6wks maybe it will just take a while longer

at sitting in the boot with her. the things we do for our dogs eh

For occasional long journeys we used to give our travel sick whippet half a sea legs tablet. he did eventually grow out of it though (took about 2-3 months). Sounds like you are doing all the right things, just make sure you have plenty of newspaper down and lots of old towels to mop up!

Thanks all - we shall persevere.
I shall ask the vets about travel sickness medication.
She is such a sweetie - I just want to take her to lots of lovely places. She looks so upset when she is sick (and as she is a large dog there always seems to be gallons of the stuff!)
Someone on another forum has suggested a ginger biscuit before we go in the car

I think some of it depends on whether it is true motion sickness or anxiety, is she drooly, panty, restless, before she throws up or does it come from nowhere?

Anxiety is a far more common cause than motion sickness.

If you think it might be anxiety this may help (and it won't do any harm in any case).

Also make sure she has eaten, but not for several hours, some do withhold all food before travel, but I think this is counter productive and can make a dog feel more sick.

You are doing the right thing with short journeys, try and make them all under the 10 minutes if this is her 'magic number' for a while and make them all end with something wonderful, a great place for a walk, a game, a treat, make the car something to be looked forward to.

Mmm - she does drool a bit, but she is a mastiff so that's pretty normal for her.

We've been going for lots of interesting walks a short drive from the house so hopefully things will improve. To begin with she didn't even want to get in the car but now she will get in on command.

Our aim is to get to the beach (20 mins away) before all the summer tourists arrive!

If it's anxiety related you can make the dog feel more at home by using a favourite smelly blanket or bed in the car or travel box. I always have several beds round the house and will use the unwashed or most loved one in the car when training a new dog. Favourite toys can be used too to encourage them to enter the vehicle but avoid an excited 'play' mode.

For those that travel a lot it makes sense to let the dog follow the bed - we can stay in hotels, B&Bs, pubs, caravans, camper vans, cottages and visit friends / family easily as we make the location of the bed the focus for the dog. It feels safe and familiar although sometimes with all the doggie paraphernalia it feels like the dog has more luggage than us!

Another tip is to walk the dog before using the car before any journey, when they would naturally like a snooze after a walk and allow them to drink water little and often rather than guzzle lots before a journey. Feed at end of journey or reduce size of meals on travel days.

And if training for all types of travel take the dog on a short bus ride / local train or ferry if you get a chance as part of a local walk. Repeat at odd intervals so the dog gets used to the smells, noises and motions of all types of transport. I've even used this technique with cats.

Another godsend nowadays is aircon in cars. Cools the car down and keeps it cool, the humans in the front seats don't realise how warm it gets in the back of a moving car - it's not just parked cars that are a danger in the sun. Sunshades are useful too. The old fashioned way is to open the windows but beware the dog that thrusts out or tries to escape if nervous.

Luckily all my puppies and older rescue dogs have little or no travel sickness when trained. We might get the odd incident but I have spare covers and blankets on all long journeys and rule number one is never tell a dog off for being sick or make a fuss by saying 'poor dog' act cool yourself so no tension or pressure builds up and the dog repeats behaviour due to stress or incorrect owner signals. making a friendly fuss mistakenly rewards the behaviour as in all training.

Sorry I've gone on a bit. Good luck with your endeavours. X

Keep going with desensitising her to it all, and talk to the vet about cerenia tablets for the motion sickness. In time this may improve when her anxiety improves.

One thing I forgot to mention some dogs that are in second or foster homes get anxious as car journeys are associated with abandonment or bad history (things you might not be aware of). My sister's rescue dog was terrified of the car until months had passed and she fully trusts her new family.

Dogs love routine build travel into the routine.

My collie was travel sick when I first got her. She loathed the car, and used to drool and shake. I got some herbal doggie-calming tablets (Valerian?) from a petfood shop. You had to give one half-an-hour before the journey. The only upshot of this was that she got anxious when given the tablet because she knew what was coming later!

Anyway, then she went to stay with the ILS for two weeks. They have a Range-Rover effort that's got a window she can see out of. They put her in it every day for just a short drive before a long walk. When she came back to us she was happy to jump into the car - still didn't like it much, but eventually she came to the point where she is today - "Oh, if I have to"!

So, I would suggest short journeys with a 'reward' walk at the end for a bit. Also make sure she can see out of the window.

Good luck - I'm sure she will grow out of it.