Chuffy
Posted : 2/2/2007 5:16:28 PM
Cut down the length of the journeys to keep them positive and make them really really fun. End the journey before he gets upset and then take him for a walk or a jaunt round a pet shop or something. Try also feeding some of his meals in the car and playing fetch in and out of it while stationary to help him build a positove asscociation with it. Build up the length of the journeys really slowly.
It could be that he gets car sick and it takes 10 mins or so for the nausea to kick in.....? Treating him for car sickness might help. Ginger is a good stomach remedy so a ginger biscuit shortly before travelling might help.... there are also tablets you can get from pet shops. I think some people use "sea legs" for car sickness. Just like with humans, car sickness can be affected depending whereabouts in the car he is and whether he can see where he is going - if this is his problem it might take a while to figure out how and where he is most comfortable.
It could be that he is overstimulated visually and would travel better in a covered crate so he can't react to the world rushing by.... you can experiment with lifting the cover and replace it if he gets agitated again.
If he has someone sitting with him, smoothing the hair on the chest downwards is very soothing for dogs, and massaging the ears is relaxing and calming too, so these might help if he is simply stressed out.
Having something yummy but quite hard to chew on will help to alleviate any stress he is feeling, may also alleviate any nausea and will build a positive association with travelling in the car. Do praise and reward him quietly for calm and happy behaviour and
end the journey with something positive before he gets upset.