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The first thing to realise when dealing with car sickness is
that in 95% of cases it is stress related and not motion
related. The most powerful memory imprint of any dogs brain
is probably the car ride when it was taken away from all it ever
new to be safe and secure, its litter mates and its mother. The
most traumatic memory a young dog has is in relation to a ride in a
car. So its not surprising that subsequent rides in a car
should evoke very strong mental and subsequent physical
trauma.
The solution is very simple. If the dog has been sick in a
car then estimate how long it was in the car before it was sick,
say 20 minutes? Find a park about 5-10 minutes from home,
preferably one just around the corner, even one within walking
distance that the dog has been to before.... but this time drive
there. Ideally have someone else in the car too, to soothe the dog
and distract him from the ride. Keep him happy all the way to
the park. When at the park do all the enjoyable things that
the dog loves, fetch the ball, chase the Frisbee, frolic with dad
etc. The stay at the park doesn't need to be that long....
just as enjoyable as possible. Then drive the dog home
soothing him all the way again and when home make just as much fuss
of the dog as you did at the park. Finish the session with
his meal or a treat if time and conditions permit.
This exercise is repeated several times a day or daily if time is
limited. Once the dog is enthusiastic to go in the car then
the length of the trip is lengthened slightly to 10-15 minutes
etc. Once you can drive with the dog for 30 minutes with no
signs of stress or anxiety then you have the problem pretty much
licked. Some dogs may take a little longer than others.
The idea is for as many happy repetitions as possible to overwrite
the initial mental imprint the dog has from its youth (or whatever
other event caused the initial trauma).
I have had a (client’s) dog that suffered from chronic
carsickness totally 'cured' (if that is the right term) in 3
days. That was with five car trips per day over the three-day
period. The owners were impressed (even if I say so
myself) and I am still getting referrals from them as a
result.
This method has always worked, but I have heard of one dog that was
sick due to some kind of balance problems and this method didn't
work for it. A trip to the vet after the method failed
brought the problem to the surface. But if it only works for
95% of the dogs it’s used on then I think it’s quite
successful!
Do you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem to DAVID THE DOGMAN. David is a Canine Behaviorist who works and lives in Marbella, Spain. Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388. His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net. David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police. He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs. David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behavior and the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check chains, or any form of aggression.
David The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home, for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388