Carsick Pup

[Aerowood]

My daughter and wife finnally wore me down to get a puppy. We went to the local puppy rescue, and are now the proud parents of Sadie, which I think is a cross of a lab and jack russel terrier. My god the energy. We will be taking her to the FCU Restro rally but we have finally figured out that she gets carsick. What can we do and what are our options? She is now 7 mos. old, and 30lbs of pure energy.

[nick6930]

Congrats on your new puppy! That is an energetic mix! I would recommend Rescue Remedy. And/or one tablet of Dramamine. Both of these should be given 1-2 hours before traveling. I would also withhold food for 4-6 hours before the drive. The good news is most puppies do grow out of this after some traveling experience! In the meantime, hospital chux are very affordable and offer good protection for your car seats and floors. The tough thing is not to get mad because it may cause more anxiety and prolong this issue. We have 3 dogs and have dealt with it with each one.

Good luck and post some photos of her when you have a chance.

Nick

[345bill]

When our now 13 yrs. old was a pup he also often got car sick. What we did was to make sure he didn't eat for couple hrs. prior to going for a ride then took short drives, gradually increasing length of drives. Nowadays as soon as he hears keys jingle he gets more upset if he is unable to go with. If he sees the MH being opened up there is no leaving him home and he now travels comfortably no matter if couple hrs. or couple weeks. When on the road we try to stop every couple hrs. or around 125 miles or so for he (& us) to have a "P" break. If I remember right his getting used to traveling took about 3-4 months of increasing ride lengths.

[The Flintstones]

Originally Posted by 345bill

When our now 13 yrs. old was a pup he also often got car sick. What we did was to make sure he didn't eat for couple hrs. prior to going for a ride then took short drives, gradually increasing length of drives. Nowadays as soon as he hears keys jingle he gets more upset if he is unable to go with. If he sees the MH being opened up there is no leaving him home and he now travels comfortably no matter if couple hrs. or couple weeks. When on the road we try to stop every couple hrs. or around 125 miles or so for he (& us) to have a "P" break. If I remember right his getting used to traveling took about 3-4 months of increasing ride lengths.

This is the exact method that has worked with all of our dogs. Most puppies will get car sick so we would withhold feeding if going for a drive and slowly get them used to riding. Before long you can't leave them at home. Our dogs are waiting at the door when they hear the keys rattling.
James

[azflycaster]

All of our dogs went trought that as well. We did the "doggie downers" from the vet at first and kept reducing the amount as they got used to traveling. After a few trips they were fine with out any medication. I'm looking forward to seeing you again at the rally.

[Aerowood]

Thanks all for the advice. She loves to go for rides because it is usually to the dog park, grandmas (who spoils her rotten) or the training class. I will pass on these tips to my better half.

Kip

[ROBERT CROSS]

You can't hug 'em and love 'em enough.

Our's have all grown out of it. Enjoy the new Family member.

IMHO...Keep them in a secured crate while traveling. Ask me how I know?

Would you let the kids hang their head out the window at 60mph?

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by nick6930

Congrats on your new puppy! That is an energetic mix! I would recommend Rescue Remedy. And/or one tablet of Dramamine. Both of these should be given 1-2 hours before traveling. I would also withhold food for 4-6 hours before the drive. The good news is most puppies do grow out of this after some traveling experience!

Excellent advice! We had to start Dramamine when our Airedale was a puppy. She's grown out of it at 14 months. We still might medicate for an all-day endurance driving test. The stuff makes me sleepy. I've seen nothing like that with our canine power pack.

Use the original; not the less drowsy formula. The latter is merely a 12-hour time release and your pup won't get the proper drug after an hour like you're expecting. Generic dimenhydrinate is actually what we use -- on the shelf right next to the high price spread...

[jacarape]

What great advice in the thread, doggie families are the best. Happy days to your rescue pooch.

My avatar Nyx is over 2, she still pukes up gobs if I don't withhold food the night prior. Every animal is different, like us. She seems to be getting better, but remember some dogs just never will grow out of being car sick, also like some people no?

As Nick said, don't get mad, very kind advice. Just think how bad puppy feels. Today the pack had a long day in the truck and J13 pooped in the back on HWY25. I didn't have time to stop. When I got a chance to clean he looked at me with guilt, I said GOOD BOY!" then ignored him, it wasn't his fault.

Happy travels!

[ROBERT CROSS]

They usually won't poop where they live...properly sized travel crate.

Sorry I just can't understand why some think it's "mean" to use a crate. Think of it as a car seat for critters. One accident with a loose animal will change your mind.
J.D.(just dog), would never get in the truck on his own again after we had a fender bender, three years as a great traveler and nine as a very nervous one, NWI.

[jacarape]

No Robert, there is nothing "mean" about a crate, a training collar or an electric collar. Mean is seeing an abused or dead animal fallen out the back of another idiots PU. The crate was packed with household goods, the rest of the TV with everything else I own. It was one day that hopefully happens once every 5 years.

My point is, your dogs will stick with you till the very end, don't get mad at them when they're doing their best.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by jacarape

My point is, your dogs will stick with you till the very end, don't get mad at them when they're doing their best.

Great point....and it's our responsibility to do our best.

I was almost arrested at a dog show once for breaking a window on a p/u with a Black Lab inside on an 80 degree day. Poor dog was passed out on the seat. No owner response after several PA announcements. It was very fortunate that it happened at a show with a Vet in attendance.

Stupid people shouldn't breed.

[flamingo-kid1]

We have THREE Jacks.. aka the dreaded terrier sisters :-)
Triple D's.. Dilly, Dally and Deafanie.

One has a very "delicate "tummy.. although snakes and birds and cat litter don't faze her, she can get carsick and will also urp if she does not eat every 5 hours or so. It's yucky yellow bile spit up.

I give her a slice of wheat or muti-grain bread, torn in small pieces. OR some SALT FREE saltines. Keep those on hand, and try the starch food first before drugs. It might work for you.. it does for us.

The only problem that I have is that they all THREE want bread and we have to do the happy happy bread dance every night before bed.
One of the girls who does NOT get sick shrieks at the breadbox if I forget.

CONGRATS on your new pup.. you'll work it out :-) She'll have you trained in no time :-)