Car Troubles

[mummytodakota]

Do dogs get car sick? Kya my 12 week old pup has been petrified of the car since day dot, she absolutely goes balistic in there sooking & squeeling. How can i get her use to the car so we can go on peaceful trips to the beach etc?

[persephone]

Hi..carsickness (nausea) and panicking may be unrelated.

With your pup...start by having the car parked ,engine OFF..and let her gradually explore all round the car..have treats on the floor/seats...let her play in and out of the car..eat treats...whatever.

Then, when she's comfortable..do all this with the car doors closed..just for a short time.

Then..doors closed, and engine running...then up & down the drive...gradually increase the length of time in the car...

providing she is relaxed!! Don't move to the next step unless she is perfectly relaxed with the early steps.

Don't pay her attention for crying etc... try not to let her GET to that stage...and always reward for CALM behaviour

[NoodleNut]

Hi..carsickness (nausea) and panicking may be unrelated.

With your pup...start by having the car parked ,engine OFF..and let her gradually explore all round the car..have treats on the floor/seats...let her play in and out of the car..eat treats...whatever.

Then, when she's comfortable..do all this with the car doors closed..just for a short time.

Then..doors closed, and engine running...then up & down the drive...gradually increase the length of time in the car...

providing she is relaxed!! Don't move to the next step unless she is perfectly relaxed with the early steps.

Don't pay her attention for crying etc... try not to let her GET to that stage...and always reward for CALM behaviour

Hi!

Just wondering if it would make any difference if Kya was in a travel crate .. would this perhaps reduce her anxiety as she is more confined perhaps with a chew toy smeared in something yummy, chicken neck and a blanket with her mother or your smell on it?

Noodle also would be unhappy initially in the car .. she was in a travel crate to start with .. I was concerned she would be upset and wee and then the crate would contain this .. she did do that once. Lots of little trips and a great reward of a play/cuddle etc at the end. We ignored the crying and just spoke gently to her as we drove along .. radio on too. We haven't had her car sick - mind you we never fed her before taking her out just in case. Now is not a probem - she has a meal.

Now Noodle is 5.5 months and RUNS to the car to get in even if we are not going out!! She is no longer in the crate and is happy to sit in the car and go anywhere!! She knows that when we arrive at our destination it is a heap of fun (park, play with a friend's dog/walk etc).

[StaceyB]

Gypsy used to get car sick when she was little, but she has grown out of it now.

What you've described sounds more like anxiety though, I've not had any experience with that (Gypsy loved going in the car from day one) but Persephone's suggestions sound pretty good.

[pennyw74]

Izzy never cried in the car but she doesn't love the car, either. We took her in the car almost every afternoon just to the end of the street and back when she was first home with us.

She has just got her car harness a couple of weeks ago. She's not too keen sitting in the back and lets out a little whine but then she just goes to sleep.

Baby steps...