ARTICLE
- Does Your Dog Get Car Sick?
BY SEVI KAY
Yes, you may think taking a car ride is just what
the doctor ordered, but for the road trip you may
also have to ask the doggie doctor to prescribe more
than just a car ride for your canine pal!
There
you are getting ready to take this wonderful trip
you have been longing for and know that you will have
to struggle getting in the car with your canine family
member in a few dreadful minutes. Than you will have
to watch your friend shake, shiver, drool and often
throw up as you are traveling.
It really does not have to be so difficult and most
of it depends on you. Most likely each time you have
decided to ask your pooch to join you in a car ride,
you have ended up taking her to the groomer or the
vet. If the idea is to include your dog in an energizing
road trip than you are going to have to do more than
just taking her to places she feel nervous in.
Take
your dog for a no-ride ride at first. This
just may be the greatest ride of all for your troubled
pooch. Bring her treats or even feed her in the car
at least once a day. If she is a picky eater, try
something she cannot resist, but do not overdo it.
The
best way is to start with 1-5 minutes for about a
week depending on the condition of your dog. Praise
her when she gets in and than as she is laying next
to you in the back seat, pet her and talk to her in
a soothing tone of voice. Try to caress your canine
and keep a relaxed posture. Your attitude and gestures
must say and be that of a calm and relaxed person
since our dogs can sense these things.
If your dog appears to be confident after a week of
"no-ride ride" you can than try an actual short
car ride. Circling the block once or twice should
be more than enough. Slowly increase the car rides
as your dog adjusts and feels more comfortable. Try
to observe her, droopy sad eyes, drooling, heavy panting,
excessive yawning are all signs of stress.
Be
canine-connected and stop the ride if she is getting
way too upset or afraid. Keep your training sessions
CONSISTENT, fun and SHORT these 2 weeks. Keep
in mind to PRAISE your dog for a job well done,
offer treats and play with her favorite toy for 5-15
minutes after each training session.
Remember
each dog and their tolerance levels are very different.
Your patience, consistency and praises are much needed
for a speedy recovery. Both of our German Shepherds
and Mundo's new co-pilot
Marduk disliked car rides as puppies and we had
to use the methods above to teach them car rides were
actually fun.
It
takes a few weeks and lots of praises, but in the
long run you will both be able to enjoy taking the
car out for a ride!
Happy
trails!
Sevi
©
2000 by Sevi Kay
- Mundo Botanica
