Princess vomits almost every time I take her in the car.

I know from reading that it's probably her nerves.. most of the time she goes in the car it's to go to the groomer, or the vet.

I'm starting to take her with us to pick the kids up, so it's a quick short trip in the car.. but wasn't sure if this was a good idea.

How do I help get her over this? We would like to be able to take her with us when we travel.

Hi
Good question . I am having the same problem . Cosmo was doing well And then he got sick at Thanksgiving . He had to be hospitalized . Now he associates rides in the car with Vets and needles /
I have tried short trips and sometimes he does OK and then he has a slip .
I have a friend and she said he dog was sick as puupy and she just kept exposing him for short rides then longer . By the time I knew Zorro he loved the car .
I do think it makes a difference if the dog can see out and they are not crated .
Cosmo does oK in the golf cart . For now I just keep working on it awith short trip the fun - doggie park and hope it will eventual erase the bad memories .

Lily had the same problem and she is on valium for longer rides. She is very anxious for rides to the vet & groomer but luckily it is only 10-15 minutes away and she doesnt throw up, but is crying & antsy. I noticed when I do NOT put on the radio and do NOT talk to her at all, she does better. But Lexi just sits there and hides her head, but can also throw up. Logan came home on New Years day & threw up 3x on the ride home and again the next day when I took him out. I have been trying to take Logan to pick up my son at school each evening & he drools A LOT!!! but has not thrown up. All I read says to take them on small trips to get them used to it. I will continue to do this with Logan in hopes that one of my pups does not need to be drugged when we go on vacation!!

All three of my dogs love riding in the car. The second I open the closet door and grab my jacket and keys they are running downstairs toward the door. The only thing I can think of is to try and make riding in the car a very positive experience. My dogs associate riding in the car with dropping off/picking up kids, going to the park, going to the pet store, going to the beach, etc. They would much rather wait for me in the car while I grocery shop than stay at home. Bugsy love to sit or rather stand on my lap and look out the window or even better (or worse) stand on my lap with his front paws on my steering wheel. He just loves all the oohs and ahhhs from the nearby cars. lol

Best,

OK. You guys are going to be sick of me and tell me to shut up because I don't even have my Havanese yet!!!!!!!!!!

But I have to agree with Paige. "The Havanese" book I am reading mentioned that some dogs get car sick. You have to desensitize them to it. Keep taking them for short rides to get used to it. Also, make sure they don't eat at least an hour before.


Happy travels!!!!!!!!!!!!

A person , on a different group, was having the same terrible car sick problems. What she is tring is to take her coffee , morning paper and her dog an just sit in the car. With the dog in his seat belt. Increasing the time every day. I don't know if it is working but it might be worth a try.

Debbie

Thanks everyone.

I read your post on the Yahoogroup Paige (finally joined! LOL) and was wondering how that was working out for you.


I found someone in this area (well, sort of) that breeds and shows Havanese, and spent quite a bit of time on the phone with her. She was great, and gave me tons of info.
She suggested that I travel with Princess in a airline type (plastic) travel crate, that it helps immensley.. and to take her everywhere with me.

She even suggested I take her in stores with me. I'm going to try it, but wonder how many I'll get kicked out of. lol

Jodi,

I take Bugsy (as well as my other dogs) everywhere with me. He always goes to the stores with me, although technically you are not allowed to bring pets in, and I have never been kicked out yet. I take him to Safeway, Trader Joes and other food stores without any trouble. He actually has a following and one of the cashiers tells me that I am not allowed in the store without Bugsy. I am sure Princess will grow to like it.

Julia~ Do you take him in a tote? Or do you carry him, or let him walk on a leash?

Jodi,

Bugsy never gets "carried" in a tote or any kind of bag or carrier, as he hates it. He thinks he is a big dog and can walk on his own. I have him on a leash, but when we get into the store I just put him in a cart where the baby sits (I bring a small receiving blanket in my bag) and he just rides in it, never moves either. He loves it and all the attention he gets from everyone. I really should take a picture.