[Mammyshaz]

I have heard that feeding him in the boot for about 3 weeks can cure car sickness, has anyone tried that approach?

I imagine this will relax him more about being in the car, so long as it is not moving at first. The idea of giving titbits is to  reassure but it also seems to take their mind off the motion of the car, giving them something else to think about. And the idea that car journeys are great  because he gets goodies 

The more often he travels, the quicker he will accustom to it. Hence the reason to start with short journeys
daily.

I wouldn't like to take a travel sick dog out on a full stomach, but at the same time a  hungry dog will feel sickly too, so a small bit to eat is better an hour beforehand is better.

[funkyfish]

HI! I work with lots of adult dogs with motion sickness problems. There has been loads of great advice given here, this is my front line approach:

He may associate the boot with feeling sick, so desensitising him to it is a must! Block of some time (like 2 weeks) where he does not have to travel in the car. Let him spend some time in the car, just a couple minuets to start with (with the engine off), then build up to feeding him in the car, giving him food stuffed Kong toys (or the pets at home equivalent). Then do the same with the engine on, gradually building up to moving the car. A crate is great if he is used to one in the house put it in the car and part cover it over.


Ask your vet for a few doses of Cerinia (a fab antisickness meds- but it is pricey..), If he has not been seen by the vet for a while they will have to do a once over before giving it to you. So the first few times he travels he does not feel sick, or you will be back at square one.


Build up the journey time and make the end really really fun!!!


An Adaptil Collar or spray (was DAP) will help the car feel more homely, 90% of dogs respond well to it. (get it off the net as it will be much  cheaper than your vet!). Diazapam is a good anti-anxiety  but it blocks your brain from learning new experiences, so he is not likely to remember that the last few journeys were not so bad. It could be usefull to use if you HAVE to travel him durning the time you are working on him, so as not to set you back.


Hope it helps!

[Cavendish]

Thanks funky Fish, really great advice. the main inhibitor to getting him used to the car is me at the moment, work and time.

[doganjo]

I try to get all my youngsters used to the car before I need to. 

Use a car cage

Put them in it and leave them without turning on the engine.

Feed them in the car. 

Play with them - as has been mentioned. 

Make sure they can see out - as has been mentioned

Drugs are a last resort.  There is Rescue remedy and other herbal methods before asking your vet for anything.

[sokel]

I get my dogs into the car as early as possible and as often as possible, puppies even go for a short journey a couple of times a week while still feeding off mum.
I have 1 Dachshund who was 11 months when he came to us and he was a nightmare, he was sick 17 times traveling from edinburgh home  He would actualy start to drool as soon as he got into the car even if the engine was not running
I started him off just once a day just driving down the drive and back up it then increased it . within 2 months he could travel anywhere without being sick and has actualy recently done a 10 hr return journey with just pee stops not once being sick