Can a 5 year old dog be trained to lose his fear of travelling by car? Can he be given antisickness pills?

Answer 1

yeah probably,
why you wanting him to play ludo with ya in the car?

Answer 2

Sure, relatively easy. Have you trained your dog in anything? Been to obedience classes? If not then that is where you start, by enrolling in obedience classes. They will teach you about dog behavior and how to teach your dog.

The dog probably isn't getting motion sick, not at 5 years. Puppies often get motion sick but it is not common in mature dogs. If your dog is vomiting it is probably stress and fear related. Dogs when placed into a stressful or fearful environment often will vomit.

Forget medicating your dog. The best technique is a simple one. First start out by placing the dog in the car, but don't turn on the engine or do anything, just sit there for a brief period. Take the dog out of the car, don't reward it! Don't say anything as I'm sure in the first session the dog did not calm down. Repeat the next day and the next until the dog remains calm and not stressed while in the car. Now if the dog is relaxed when you remove it from the car you can reward it. You want to be careful not to reward the dog when it is stressed or you will be telling the dog it is OK to be stressed. Next step is to put the dog in the car and turn on the engine. I think you get the picture from here. Then once around the block, then to a place the dog enjoys and then you will have a dog that actually wants to ride in the car.

Answer 3

Only very slowly. First you would simply leave the car open so he can smell the seats etc. Then put him in the car for a few minutes. Then longer, and longer and so forth over a few weeks. Eventually have him in the car and start the engine and run it for a short time, and so forth. Eventually take the car down the drive, then around the block, then for longer trips. That will get rid of the fear. The sickness is possibly a reaction to the fear, but otherwise, just make sure he does not eat for 12 hours before the journey and that you have plenty of towels of the back seat. My boy used to throw up when he was a pup, now he just starts dribbling a lot when the road is bendy. He had a hard time when we lived in NZ going over to the West Coast, particularly along the Lewis Pass (very bendy bits!!)

Answer 4

I have a 4 year old labrador, and when she was younger she used to get sick in the car. Yes, you can buy sickness pills for dogs, probably from any petstore. Read the instructions on the back of the box, but i would reccomend to put the pills into some food to make it go down easier for your dog. My Lab has grown out of it now, and it did take about a year (perhaps less) to wean her off the tablets. And now she is fine. We took her all the way to north Wales this year (from London) and she was perfectly fine.
I hope this helps.

Answer 5

The old saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" isn't entirely true... and this is more a psychological condition.
Like all things w/pets (and kids) it's little by little and all in moderation...

Try discussing this w/your vet first to see just what would be the best approach for your particular breed/dog.
But only you know your dog best, and his/her personality. So try little options like getting them to sit in the car/truck while it's not moving so they can get used to it w/out any anxiety first, then take small steps from there like staying in the car w/it simply running or a short trip just down the drive/around the block.

Best advice though is just take it slowly, and as far as the Dramamine goes... perhaps just a half a tablet but doubtful the vet would agree unless they prescribe one specifically for dogs and at your dogs size/weight.

Answer 6

There are some pills that the vet will prescribe. Is one of the only places you take the dog to the vet or groomer? Because that may cause the fear. Think about it, if you were only taken to the doctor or dentist...you wouldn't really like that "car" either.

Does the dog like his crate? You can try placing him in his crate while in the car. It is safer and it may make him feel that way too.

Take him to places that are fun. Like parks or pet stores where he will learn to enjoy the car.

Do not comfort him by saying "its OK! good boy" that will tell him, it is OK to act this way and to keep it up.
Just tell him a stern, not mean "No barking!" or "No scratching. We are going to the park."

He can eventually be trained. If it is very severe, you may want to ask the vet for a prescription. Rescue Remedy is a VERY good herbal, all-natural calmer.

Best of luck!

Answer 7

Training a dog to lose fear can be difficult especially if he has motion sickness. The best thing to do is call your vet regarding medication. Sometimes benedryl will calm them down enough to make the car ride tolerable but some dogs need a mild sedative.

Answer 8

hi i have a little chihuahua that is sick when we go out in the car, i was advised to take her out little but often, this didn't work. I was told from her breeder to give her a sea leg table, you can get from most chemist but not boots. I did check with my vet and she said give it ago. I now give her one an hour or two before we travel and she sits on my lap and is fine.

She is scared of the car and dribbles a lot and these tablets stop that as well, give it ago, not sure on your dogs breed, but if he is big you may need 1 1/2, try 1 tablet first.

Good luck, i no its not nice for them, hope it works as well for your dog as it did for mine.

Answer 9

If it's a fear (like going to the vet), then yes you can train him by taking him out often and to FUN places, places he'd want to go back. If it's motion sickness then no, he can't be trained, but yes he can take the pills. Just call your vet and ask how much of a dose to give.

Answer 10

yes you can train him out of his fear it just takes time like everything. try taking him on short journeys to the park so he associates it with pleasant things. if this still doesn't work your vets can give you tablets to calm your dog down in the car.

Answer 11

He's probably frightened of the car *because* every time he goes in it he gets sick. Ginger is a natural anti-sickness. Try some ginger nuts. You don't say what size he is. Try three or four 1/2 hour before you put him in the car.