Tackle dog’s car-sickness before trip
Q: Our golden retriever has suffered from car-sickness since the day we brought her home from the breeder. The veterinarian has given her several medications and now her vomiting is under control. However, now she suffers from severe anxiety and even avoids the parked car. During necessary trips, she drools and eventually gets diarrhea.
How can we help her quickly overcome her anxiety? We would like to travel to the cottage this summer.
A: In severe cases, medication can be beneficial. When addressing anxiety, a referral to a veterinary behaviourist is often a good idea, especially when there is a time crunch involved.
Veterinary behaviourists specialize in behaviour problems, but also have the ability to prescribe medications. This does not mean that your pet’s regular veterinarian has done a bad job. Think of it as going to a heart specialist rather than a family doctor for a heart problem. A specialist’s job is to stay on the cutting edge of new advances, medications and protocols in one specific area. Some of those advances may benefit your pet.
Prescription intervention does not eliminate the need for behaviour modification. It would, however, eliminate time constraints and pressure, allowing you to address the problem systematically. Stress is reduced.
Overcome anxiety by facing the frightening activity in small, measurable doses. Dogs that avoid parked cars first need to learn to relax when they’re near the car. Do this by rewarding the dog with a special treat each time it glances toward the vehicle or walks past it. After giving the reward, walk the dog away from the car. Walking away is a crucial step that builds trust. As the dog’s confidence increases, you can ask for more. For example, you can begin rewarding the dog for taking one step closer to the car. Gradually progress closer one step at a time. Always remember to walk away while the dog is relaxed and happy.
Eventually, ask the dog to get in and out of the vehicle. When the dog is ready, try starting the engine while feeding it treats. With a helper, you can move toward short car rides. The first trip might only reach the end of the driveway. Don’t worry; with practice and once the anxiety is gone, you’ll find that your dog will learn to enjoy the trip.
When that happens, with the assistance of a vet or veterinary behaviourist, you can start weaning the dog off the medication.
Q: Our dog is a therapy dog that loves everyone; however, sometimes she gets a little rough when taking food treats. How can we get her to be gentle with her mouth?
A: There is an easy solution to this problem. The dog needs to learn to inhibit and control the strength of its jaw when taking treats.
Depending on the severity of the problem, owners may want to wear work gloves to prevent injury. Puppy owners sometimes find this idea helpful, not because puppies do much damage, but because their teeth are like razor-sharp needles.
Start by practising with kibble. Gradually work your way through more tempting food choices.
Offer the dog a piece of food. If it exerts too much pressure with its jaws, say “ouch.” Take your hand, and the food, away. Then try again. If the dog is gentle, say “yes” and give them the treat.
With practice, the dog will learn
A car-sick pet could detour your vacation plans this summer. In severe cases, medication can be beneficial, Yvette Van Veen writes. the rules. Ask visitors to place treats in the palm of their hand. This way, the dog has to lick it up. It is the correct way of giving treats to dogs. Yvette Van Veen is an animal behaviour consultant. Send questions to
advice@awesomedogs.ca.