How to Keep Your Dog From Getting Car Sick

Car sickness in dogs can be a real problem. Excessive drooling, vomiting, or eliminating can lead to a real mess to clean up in the car. Furthermore, when your dog always gets carsick,even taking him to the local vet can make him sicker.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a car
• a dog that is fearful of cars
• patience and plenty of time
• dog treats and/or dog food
• veterinary prescribed medication if necessary

1. For several days, do nothing except feed your dog in the car. (Each time he eats, take him to the car, on a leash, carrying his pan of dog food with you. Put the dog into the car and give him his food)Leave the door open!

2. After your dog is comfortable about eating in the car, begin to take him out at other times and just put him in the car, with the door open, and start the car, let it run for a short while, and turn it off again.

3. Give the dog plenty of praise and pats when he is in the car. Treat him if you like, with special treats.

4. Next, begin to shut the door while he is in the car, get into the front seat, drive the car up and down the driveway first. If he is doing well without showing undue stress, take the dog for a short drive around the block.

5. Take the dog for short drives, getting a little longer each time. Every time you get him out of the car, give him praises and pets and hugs, showing him a LOT of love and attention.

6. Take him for a few drives to special places for him, such as taking him to a pet store, where you can get him out and take him into the store, or take him to a dog park, where he can get out of the car and go play with other dogs, or even just take him to another place in town, to get him and take him for a walk. In other words, take the dog places where he will enjoy things after he gets there.

Tips & Warnings

• If your vet has prescribed anti-anxiety medications for your dog, you can give him those medications if necessary during this process. The goal is to help him to enjoy getting in the car and going places, without fear or anxiety.
• Give him a rawhide chew or a kong toy stuffed with peanut butter to distract him on a long trip.
• Never administer human medications without your vet's advice. Dramamine or other motion sickness remedies are not always suitable for dogs and some human meds can even do serious damage to your dog.

Resources

• Dog Training Book
• Dog Training and Breeding Articles
• Dog training resources

[showpup]

on 3/24/2008 I can attest that this advise does work and it works really well. :) 5 stars.

[SharonW]

on 12/22/2007 Good advice. My puppy was terrible in the car and was sick on even the shortest trip. He now loves going in the car as we take him to the park to play. Thanks.