Riding in the car

[Robert G. MacAlpin]

I was wondering if anyone has the same problem I have with Bailey, she gets car sick, I would love to take her everywhere with me, but each time I take her out she gets car sick.

When I do have to take her someplace like the groomers or if my mother takes her down to visit my sister we have to not feed her then give her a motion sickness pill which is a real pain, does anyone have suggestions on how to get her over getting car sick?

[Julie and Max]

Hi Robert, hopefully someone will be able to help you. Max doesn't have that problem but my last dog Cleo would get awful car sickness every time we went somewhere this was years and years ago, and we had a pickup truck with a topper so I just put her in the back and hosed out the truck after every ride, not much help sorry. :(

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Riding in the front seat often helps.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is an older post I wrote a few years back.  Also, add a Thunder Shirt to the following method. Be patient.  This is a so process.   Give it time and keep the miles SHORT

Anxiety in the Car

This is a re-post of a past discussion I wrote in the Spring.   IT HAS BEEN A SUCCESS! So worth repeating in this group.   Starlit now wags her tail and gives that cute wiggle when we ask her is she would like to go for a ride.

IMO: motionsickness is an entirley different problem.  Ours was anxiety but at the time we were not sure what we were dealing with.  Again, good luck. 

To read the entire discussion here is the link: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/car-sickness-another


For those of us who  have dogs suffering from car sickness due to anxiety here is something else to try.

This includes: Eyes to the Horizon Method.  Making the car ride a pleasant experience.  Sitting down in the car.  

Starlit gets car sick.  UGH.  We like to go everywhere with the dogs.  Even a
15 minute ride to the park put her into extreme anxiety and eventually
she gets sick.  

Our neighbors have cured many rescue dobermans with this method.  It is working for us too.    Take frequent small
trips.  Each trip for several weeks go somewhere with a reward.  Their
method was to go to McDonald's Drive Thru and get a plain cheeseburger,
minus the bun.  Then head back home.  

We don't do McDonald's but I have placed the bag of her favorite cookies on the dash board.  Her
focus remains straight forward since she can't keep  her eyes off the
bag of treats.  "The Eyes To The
Horizon Method for Car Sickness" 

Since our van is large Starlit tends to roam around and gets sea legs.   We use treats to have 
her sit and stay in her seat.  Then place the bag back on the
dashboard.  

Keep the trips short, sweet, and full of treats. Not for your errands.  Just For The Dog.  Lots of Rewards.

Good Luck to all of us    :) 

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/mentalhealth/forum/topics/anxiety...

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I want to add that there is a difference in Anxiety and Motion Sickness but I think sometimes once the dog experiences motion sickness they certainly may have anxiety for fear of being sick again. 

So, same methods.    If it is motion sickness you might ask your Vet about car sickness meds to get your dog through this process.  Many owners can wean or eliminate  the med down after a while too

[Jordan & Daisy]

Daisy also gets sick nearly every time. She doesn't seem to have "anxiety" because she runs to the car and jumps up when I open the door. It's just the actual stopping, going, bumps that seem to make her sick. I'm also at a loss because not all trips can be kept short, we travel to my parents house and in-laws quite often.