car sickness for puppys

[hotcakekimmy]

hi, i have a puppy who is 16 weeks old, we like going out to the country for long walks with her, but everytime we go in the car she throws up and poo's everywere, it's awful, will she grow out of this or does anyone know anything that will help her stop doing it, we put her in the boot of the car, without the top bit on it,she doesn't eat b4 going and we open the windows for her, she can't travel in the back or front on our knee as it's an expensive car and i don't want the interior getting ruined! help xxx
p.s she starts to foam at the mouth aswell???!!!

[jules77]

What do you mean by the 'boot' of the car, is it a hatchback? Most dogs grow out of travel sickness, but not always. It does sound as though it is stress related, rather than the motion of the car. And it would be best if you could sit with her in the back and as long as you have a plentiful supply of towels it shouldnt ruin your 'expensive car'. Start by putting her in the car for short periods, ie: 5 minutes at a time, and sitting with her, without the car actually moving, and build it up. Then start with short trips round the block, or to a local park making it a positive experience with something enjoyable at the end.

Alternatively, perhaps you should get an old banger to take the dog out in?!

[lankeela]

First of all she should not be having long walks at 16 weeks! By all means take her to the country but just let her mooch around and play, long walks at this age will stop her developing enough bone and she will end up spindly and weak.

Ok lecture over! She will grow out of it, but to help the car sickness there are several things you can do. Let her sit in the car in the drive while it is stationary as often as you can, just for short lengths of time say ten minutes. When she is used to doing this you can start the engine but not go anywhere. You could also try feeding her in the car. Let her out and play with her so she has an enjoyable experience, as probably the things she associates with the car are being taken away from her mum and brothers and sisters and then to the vets for a nasty injection. Gradually develop this so you can take her round the block and then further afield. Invest in a travel cage (use this indoors as well, so she gets used to going in it for feeding and sleeping for short periods), and cover it over so she cannot see out. Puts loads of newspaper in the bottom so you can remove a layer as she messes it up. Ginger biscuits given half an hour before a journey can help, and you can use the children's dose of the travel sickness tablets (depending on what breed as to how much you use). The best place to travel her is in the front footwell nearest the gear stick as that is where there is least vibration, but as you care too much about your precious car then I don't suppose this is an option. Also make sure she has had every opportunity to empty out before you put her in the car. Stay in the garden with her until you have seen her do it.

This is a slow process but if you force the issue she will get worse rather than better.

[lankeela]

LOL jules, I was going to suggest the old banger too, but thought I'd said enough already and was waiting for the flack!

[jules77]

Lankeela, think we were composing our answers at the same time and they are both similar. I didnt notice the 16 weeks bit, I must learn to read things through before responding.

[lankeela]

Probably, if you've got money to burn. This is a very basic dog rearing/training/socialising problem that many dog owners face and manage to deal with.