My little puppy is 11 weeks old and is suffering from drooling++or sickness when travelling in a crate in my mini. I have tried not travelling for at least 2-3 hours after his meal,I have covered his cage so he can't see out and opening the windows so he gets a lot of freash air. I understand he's too young for trying anti sickness tablets. Does anyone have any other suggestions as I live 15 miles from the coast in the National Park,and now I feel mean taking him anywhere in the car. If it is his ears and balance will he,or when will he grow out of it?Has anyone had experience of this with their dog?
Hi Carol, I'm not an expert at all but I think it's not uncommon for puppies to be car sick. I do remember one of our family dogs when I was a teenager was as a puppy, but I it wasn't an issue when she was grown up. So maybe just do very short journeys while he's still very tiny. Have you tried talking to your vet or nurse at your local surgery? Sorry I can't be more help, your puppy looks beautiful, what a superb colour.
My puppy wasn't good in the car at all around that age - she is now 5 months and looks very much like your puppy. She wasn't sick but eliminated in her crate. I too have a mini that the crate fits into. I don't cover the crate so she can see me and all around her. I went right back to basics - just getting her used to the car - took me a couple of weeks and she has been fine ever since. Haven't tried a long journey yet - 30 minutes each way is all I do but reckon she would be fine now. I think really she has grown out of it. I woukd speak to your vet nurses.
Hi there and welcome! Out of about 20 dogs (mine and fosters), I only had one that truly was sick nearly every time in the car. I got him as a foster at 4 weeks and he was adopted at 9 months. He did get better as he got older, but even at 9 months, anything over an hour in the car and he would vomit. Poor guy. I didn't ask the vet for any medication, it simply didn't occur to me. However, despite getting sick, he still loved the car as he knew it meant good times. He would hop in with no qualms whatsoever. So the vomiting was more something to prepare for (towels, plastic bags, cleaning materials and carrying lots of water and snacks to replace what he lost). Just my personal opinion, but I think most people's complaints about puppies in cars comes from just not getting them in the car enough and not being able to stand the initial whining/crying/drooling that's all pretty normal. I've stuck my dogs/puppies in the car from day one and taken them fun places. Also first trips are short (10 minutes) and then built up. For an adult dog, first "trips" may simply be getting in the car and getting fed chicken - not even going anyplace. I've seen people here on the forum talk about having someone in the back with the puppy giving them treats during a trip to make it more positive, but as I'm single and generally don't have someone to help me, I've always just put the puppy or dog in the car in a crate, made sure they were safe despite what vocal complaints they might initially make and then took off. Yes, there has been a bit of crying, but usually within 2-3 days I have an excellent little traveller on my hands. I honestly think the key is just to consistently keep at it. Dogs are smart and figure out quickly that something really, really fun is at the end of a car journey and learn to love it. Your little guy is still a tiny baby really, so he'll come around. In the meanwhile, invest in plastic bags and lots of old beach towels.
Lucky was like this when I adopted him at 7 months, and would throw up after a journey of more than 15 minutes. I got something from the vets, can't remember exactly what it was, but it didn't help him. He grew out of it in the end, I can't remember exactly when, somewhere between 1.5 and 2 years - so he was quite old. I found that having a window open helped him, and being able to see out a window. But he'd still throw up sometimes. So, I'd take plastic bags and plenty of towels and, like you said, leave it 3 hours after eating.
My lab gets sick as well, he's nearing 11 months. We have him in the back seat in a harness, so that he is secure but can look out and get fresh air. I'm hoping he grows out of it . I think the management solution may be to try taking a break before he gets too sick feeling, then continuing on the journey. At present he can manage about 30 mins.
Many puppies, and older dogs suffer drooling/sickness etc and it is most frequently stress related so really not something they grow out of - more something they grow into if action isn't taken to alleviate. Best advice, as a trainer, is to start slowly and just get puppy liking to be in the car by popping in and treating even give a meal in the car. When puppy is happy in the car just start the engine and sit for a few minutes. Next step is to drive perhaps the length of the drive and back. If puppy is happy make the next trip a bit longer and gradually build up the distance/duration. The puppy must be happy and relaxed before you make each increase in time/distance. The process is helped once puppy can be taken to a park for a play at the end of the trip reinforcing that cars are great places to be as good things happen.
Welcome to the forum from me, Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. I agree with @Jojo83 you really need to break this down into manageable bits for your puppy. My rescue dog was 9 months when we got him totally anxious about getting into the car, he would drool terribly because he had been transfered so many times, from overseas to Wales then to Surrey, then to a home back to Surrey he was returned and then we adopted him. His fear was deep routed that he was always going to be left I tacked it very carefully over many, many weeks. I used to put him in the car I would sit with him give him great treats then we gradually worked up to closing the boot but not starting the car, then after some weeks I started the engine but didn't go anywhere, then we drove up and down the drive, then to the end of the village, eventually we drove to a walk so something he enjoyed. Charlie has no issues with cars now and he is 6 years old. It's not something you can rush. Good luck. xx
