car sickness?

[Josh Kunde]

I have an eight month old black and tan pup who has had car sickness since we brought him home at eight weeks. At first I didn't think much of it, I figured I would just keep taking him on short rides and he would eventually get over it. Well now that he's older and still not getting over it I'm starting to worry. Mainly because he is terrified of the truck all together now. I can eventually coax him over but I have to pick him up and put him in every time. If he even thinks he is going near the box he hides. Once we get to a hunting spot and he gets out he is fine, at least until its time to go. Its just the box he doesn't like. Is there anything I can do to help him get over this? Any thoughts would help. thanks in advance.

Josh

[Oldmanindeepsnow]

I feed my pups in and on the box, starting about six weeks.
How big is box.
Is he the only dog in box.
Is there head holes.

[Josh Kunde]

I've tried two different boxes. I'm not sure on the dimensions but I normally fit two dogs in each compartment. He is a bigger dog but I have tried hauling him alone and with a partner with the same outcome. There are no head holes just nose holes. I hope I'm not too late. This morning I let the dogs out and as soon as I walked towards the truck he went back into the kennel and into his house.

[Redwood Coonhounds]

I have never had any issues with car sickness with pups I have raised. Not sure if its temperment, genetics or what. I have never done anything different with any pups.

I bought a pup from Idaho in 2011. He was drove out here to California, and had a little bit of a trip at 8 weeks old.

I didn't do much with him until right around 5-6 months old. He did exactly as you say yours does. He puked everywhere, drooled and acted tramatized. It didn't matter if I withheld food, fed him, let him sit in the truck a while before going somewhere, had him with other dogs. I would have to drag him an put him in the truck, he was scared shitless. Once we got where we were going I would pull him out and he would run as fast and far away from the truck as possible, you'd have to run him down (which wasn't easy) I finally got so fed up I let him sit at home and watch the other dogs get loaded uo and leave without him. I'm not a big fan of a dog without enough heart to want to go hunting.

At 9 months old or so I started walk hunting him and he started really fireing pretty well and wanted to hunt and kill things. It was almost overnight he got a little better. He drooled and wouldn't load up, but he wasn't scared to death anymore. And by 11 months old he was loading himself and would rig out of the box, and actually liked being ON the box.

I think letting him sit until he's mentally tougher and ready to hunt will help a lot. Once he know's whats going on, he isn't going to want to be left home no matter how scared he is of the ride.

[Josh Kunde]

That makes me feel better. Friday we went for a good hike, took yesterday off, and went for another good clip today and he was at least around the truck when I had to catch him today instead of hiding in his kennels so I'm hoping with more time he will come around. Thanks for the replies.

Josh

[al baldwin]

Owned a hound that had that problem, found out the litter he was from all suffered the same. Took a long time but he got over and made a good hound. I would be hesitent to raise pups from that dog , could be in the bloodline, a real pain & nothing the poor hound can do about it. Strange thing , first time I hauled him at about two months old was a 70 mile trip and he never got sick. Al

[michael.magorian]

Is there a medication or something for car sickness a guy could use for a dog. My wife and I bought a beagle puppy nearly six years ago, and she has never gotten over being car sick; exactly the way you described. She is more of a novelty/pain in the ass than anything else, so it isn't like she needs to ride in a vehicle frequently. Just wondering.

[al baldwin]

You might try meclizine, not sure if I spelled correct. Have never used it on a dog, but that is what some people use . Inexpensive can purchase without a prescription. ( sea sick pills) Al

[michael.magorian]

Thanks Al, I appreciate it.

[Rick Anderson]

Try hauling him in an open crate that he can see out of. I have found that helps. imagine yourself in a dark box rocking and rolling down rough roads, you would be totally disoriented, and maybe sick as well. I use one of those fold up wire kennels, I have also just cross tied them in the box of the truck.
Rick