battling Car sickness

[NcPrisonGuard]

Ok.. so Boomer and Cheyenne both get car sick. I love taking them places but cleaning up the puke.. not so much. I have tried not feeding them before we go.. no luck. tried Dramamine (sp?) which works ok.. and I've tried not feeding them plus the dramamine and that usually works.. but I hate having to give my dogs medicine just to take them to the park to play fetch or to go do whatever..just show them off. Any ideas? Suggestions? Folsom does fine with not getting sick.. so I take him every time I leave the house just to keep him used to riding.

[bahamutt99]

Have you tried taking short, fun trips to slowly get them used to the idea that the car is a good thing? We used that method on our dog Jedi, who used to get very carsick. So we started driving him 5 minutes down the street to the park for a walk. Or 10 minutes to Petsmart for some socialization. Short, upbeat stuff. I also realized I had to be careful with my driving because I was partly causing his upset by stopping/starting too abruptly, or getting pissed at other drivers.

You could also try crating if you have the room in your vehicle. Some dogs will feel more secure if they're contained and not moving around freely. Plus if you line the crate with newspapers or something, the puke will hopefully be contained and easier to clean up. (Albeit it will be on your dog as well, but hey, its an idea. LOL.)

[Riptora]

I sent you a PM.

[laurajean]

Good advice from you bahamutt99. I used to have a pup that urped all over the car...she eventually grew out of it. I had an old Chevy van and I would put her in the back with a whole lot of layers of newspaper, which I would stop and peel away as she threw up..lol... Even though she got sick, she still loved to go in the van. At the time it never occured to me to try short trips and work up to longer ones. It is also funny that her litter mate did NOT get carsick. In any case, I think the gradually lengthening trips might work...

[Suki]

[QUOTE=bahamutt99]Have you tried taking short, fun trips to slowly get them used to the idea that the car is a good thing? We used that method on our dog Jedi, who used to get very carsick. So we started driving him 5 minutes down the street to the park for a walk. Or 10 minutes to Petsmart for some socialization. Short, upbeat stuff. I also realized I had to be careful with my driving because I was partly causing his upset by stopping/starting too abruptly, or getting pissed at other drivers.
QUOTE]


I was going to suggest this as well. You'd be suprised how much anxiety comes into play, regarding animals. Try, as mentioned, a few short trips, say, just down the road, find a place where your dogs can get out and have "fun" for a bit, so they can learn to equate the car with something pleasurable, as opposed to something to fear. Also, yes, try to drive "smoothly", and try to avoid any sudden/quick erratic movements. (Tho, this is tough up my way. And if they're not cutting you off, they're flipping you off!!!:rolleyes: ) Let some fresh air get in to circulate in your car, and hold food, as you're doing, to avoid stomach upset.
The clinic I work at also has a boarding facility, where we can board up to 300 plus animals a day, and you'd be amazed at the number that come in, sick from the car ride. It's VERY common.
Try the tips, as mentioned, and hopefully, you'll see some improvement.
Also, try to "sound" happy/eager about your pending travels=like it's going to be "exciting" for your dogs. Dogs pick up and will "sense" much of your "energy".

Good luck. One of my rotts was this way. The short, frequent trips cured him of this, and the problem soon ceased.

[NcPrisonGuard]

Thanks everyone.. I'm going to try the short trips down to the ball field to play fetch. They both like the car and don't fight getting inside.. I just open the passenger door and say "INside...inside.." and they hop right in, and they are usually fine on the way there its coming back that they decide to yak.. but I am gonna try the short fun trips....
as a side note for Bahamutt... I don't have to worry about my driving being the problem since I am a male and therefore naturally a better driver.. hehehehe... running for cover now.

[OhRex]

The 'Taking them on short trips' is the best way to do it. I had the same problem. Works like a charm.

[laurajean]

Oh, yeah, men are the "better" drivers, lol, that is why their insurance is so cheap...lol

[MercedesMama]

Ozzy gets carsick if he sits in the back. I have had to sit backseat to the dog before. He's ok up front, but man in the back, no way! Short trips work well. I had to do that with Bentley. He hated riding as a pup, he's ok with it now though.

[NCPatchwork]

Best thing I can recommend is a ginger cookie without the icing. Also, a tea spoon of peptobismol before the trip. I've tried both and recommending to tons of people who come into PetSmart daily. I get great feed back for both.

[bahamutt99]

as a side note for Bahamutt... I don't have to worry about my driving being the problem since I am a male and therefore naturally a better driver.. hehehehe... running for cover now.
Uh huh. :rolleyes: Funny how 3 of the 4 times I've been hit it was a man behind the wheel. Been rear-ended twice and blindsided by you overconfident men drivers. While as for me, been driving for 10 years and never an accident to my name. Gimme a gold star for my perfectionist female driving. :D

[laurajean]

another thought that occured to me on re-reading this is that if they only urp on the return trip...perhaps it is overexcitement from the ball playing? And you need some "down-time" for them to settle down from the thrills of playing. So maybe if you just hung out with them for a while after playing and let them relax for a while before the return trip?

[NcPrisonGuard]

another thought that occured to me on re-reading this is that if they only urp on the return trip...perhaps it is overexcitement from the ball playing? And you need some "down-time" for them to settle down from the thrills of playing. So maybe if you just hung out with them for a while after playing and let them relax for a while before the return trip? Nah they yak on the way back from anywhere... vet, store, going to my sister's.. they can not even get out of the car..like if I run to the store with one..leave them in the car and then come back, on the ride home they yak