Car Sick Dog

[seelie]

Does anyone have a remedy for a car sick dog? Our german shepherd is a lovely rescue dog who cannot travel half a mile without being sick (we've had him nearly 2 years now so he is perfectly comfortable with us). Don't like giving him tablets (nor does he), but have tried herbal remedies, tablets from the vet, ginger snaps, driving round the block every morning. Have even tried without food, but he still finds something from his stomach. Taking him on holiday soon, so other than knocking him out completely don't know what next to do. Any suggestions will be taken seriously.

[gessoo]

My vet advised us to use Benylin - yes the human cough mixture!!! The old fashioned Benylin with the antihistamine. It really worked. It has a calming effect like sea sickness tablets. Our small dog had two teaspoons, so two teaspoons shouldn't hurt a German Shepherd.

The only problem was that the dog hated it and used to run away every time she saw the bottle!! Fortunately, she grew out of her car sickness problems.

If you get a feeding syringe from the vets it will help you to give it to him. Obviously, you should check with your own Vet as I am not a qualified person, but as I said it was our Vet who gave this advice and also advised to get it from Boots because it would be cheaper than getting it from him!! Don't forget though it must be the original Benylin and not Benylin Non Drowsy

Good luck.

[seelie]

Thank you for the reply gessoo. Will certainly follow that one up - willing to try anything rather than knock him out. I hate having to leave him home when we go places. Will check it out - hope it works !

[drgnrdr]

I am not sure what you have done exactly, but, how I got one of my dogs use to it was a very slow process...first take them to the car for the first 25 times we go no where and the car doesn't even get turned on...get treats, HIGH value treats...hot dogs..chicken something like that, if they pant hard or whine or act nervous just sit for a a couple of minutes and see if they will relax (laying down is good sign), give treats during this dogs don't usually take treats if they are nervous and stressed, the tongue can tell you some moods if it is hanging and relaxed so are they, if it curls up at the edges or up at the front they are stressed or anxious, the only way to move to the next step is if they are RELAXED on this step..then go for 5 minutes in car..wait for relaxed behavior..DON"T try to sooth them when they are nervous..(don't say it's okay or touch them it will be like rewarding them for scared behavior), just wait it out with them sitting in the car seat with them or in the back which ever they are, Then if they are good at this then start car up but only for a few minutes, watch your dog, if they get anxious, turn off car, don't let it idle. You moved ahead to the next step to soon, go back to the last step..then once they are good for that then engage car and move an inch down drive, not anxious keep going first sign of nerves, stop. Then go around block make it good and treats, this is slow process...that's why I always got my dogs after this use to it as pups..so I wouldn't have to do this..Some dogs feel safer in a crate or where they can hide under in something and not see road, and motion of road makes them sick. Motion sickness, they get moved back when you take off, and then ,moved when you stop, back and forth, turn they get pulled to one side or the other..just remember this..I give cue words here we go and hang on, as I do this and teach them to get ready.

[drgnrdr]

Good luck, some of my dogs were rescue and the one I have currently, a GSD is from rescue also.

[seelie]

Hi drgnrdr. My other hubby has sat with him in the car just to get him used to it, then drive slowly round the block. That worked, the troubles start when the journey gets slightly longer. We have put sun blinds up around where he sits (its an estate car), just in case the traffic worries him. You mention not to talk to him. I am guilty of that - I constantly talk to him trying to reassure him. He'll lie down in the car if it's motionless but not if it's moving, and I've never given him treats because I thought it would cause him to be sick. It seems we still have a lot to learn. Thank you very much for the advice,

[JB]

We have 2 SBT's that couldn't get to the end of the road (and I'm talking 5 houses!) We ended up buying a van with blacked out windows and they were fine!

Bit extreme to buy a second vehicle, but maybe you could try blocking out the rear windows in your car?

[lankeela]

I would suggest a travel crate with a dark cover over it. If you have to travel him loose, the best place (least vibration) is in the footwell near the gear stick.

Certainly not being able to see out helps to calm them. I myself feel car sick if I watch things going past!

The long slow process of starting with a stationary car, then very short journeys does work eventually. A lot of dogs also grow out of it. My puppies are all car trained at an early age, as they have to travel with me if I go anywhere, and we usually visit the stud dog owner to show them the pups, then the vets, and then the eye test clinics, by which time they are seasoned travellers, having had their mum with them to give them confidence.

[drgnrdr]

Your welcome seelie...going to fast to soon can cause the set back if you started the car and he got nervous and you kept going that was wrong, also the "it's okay" thing is not good when they are scared and anxiety ridden, your praising them for being so, treats are given as long as they are relaxed...you don't go forward until THEY let you know they are ready, treats for being in car good thing..that's why HIGH value treats are essential. It's hard to advise when I can't see his body language and your reaction and all...we are flying blind to try and help...Good luck..