My husband had a poodle who ALWAYS got carsick with him, as well as my stepson... Odd, poodle and son never got carsick with me driving either of them...
After a few weeks-months of being in the car with "Said-husband" I realized that it was his driving which made EVERYONE IN THE CAR SICK including myself...
I drive when ever we go anywhere...
Very interesting...one driver causes much dog anxiety, while the other one doesn't contribute to the pup sickness...in same vehicle.
- so when you take some practice trips...experiment with changing drivers, sounds logical / make it FUN, at all costs
I would make sure and not feed her before taking her for a ride. Start out on short car rides and let he associate it with something good, going to a park for a play or when you come back from a short ride lots of praise, play...something super positive. I think I would slowly increase your drive times... maybe start out for a 5-8 min ride...and over a period of the summer or something, work up to an hour ( hopefully without up-chucking ) always end on a positive note. Hopefully she will grow out of it and learn to love car rides
Both my dogs love car & truck rides, so I will share how...day1 went with my last pup, from year 2000...as an 8 weeks old:
- drove 9 hours, back to Ontario...from Montreal area
- puppy layed on a pillow on Dads lap, in the back seat area
- when Amy wasn't stretched out on me, I had puppy nuzzled against my heartbeat...between puppy breath kisses
- we stopped driving 1 hour latter, outside at a gas station for 5-10 minutes waiting for a peepee
Second hour, pup Amy having the time of her new life and adventure...with our 17 year old son / sitting in the passenger seat...Mom resumes driving.
- we stopped driving 1 hour latter, outside another gas station for 5-10 minutes waiting for a peepee, to happen if need be
(all the while supervising and talking very excited and happy...building the fun experience again)
Third hour, Mom changes to the back seat and Dad drive.
Mom and new puppy, have much cuddle, belly rub and frequent huggs & kiss time.
Hour four througn nine hours of driving - we share our girl (taking turns with Amy), all with the same love and affection.
- always stopping every hour for 10 minutes approx...for potential break.
My first dog from 1977, went everywhere with me / 2 funny stories to share:
a) Went to a local junkyard...that was dog free.
Owner gave me permission, to let my dobe snoop around with me.
Fifteen minutes of looking for used auto parts, I turn around to look for my dog, and have to backtrack my route a little.
Soon I find her sitting in the front bucket seat of a sh*t green 1973 Mustang...with the door off.
I laughed my ass off, and told Tanya..."come on girl, and try and keep up with your Dad / if you want to go home soon".
b) Use to do body and paint work (as a hobby) in my fathers farm garage.
So Tanya didn't have to lay down on a cement floor (while she did sometimes), waiting for me all weekend, I would park my 1965 Chevelle at the open garage doors (in the summer months).
Then I would let her in the car, shut the door (so my battery would not run down) and roll down the windows.
Let her out once in a while, for water and pee / and ask the dog, if she wanted back in my 2 door.
My current dog, gets mad at Dad if I drive off in my 4x4 Chev. truck without her.
So istead of leaving her on the couch, waiting for Dad to come home from my reno job site...I often (weather permitting) take her along...to rest in my truck. This makes her happy and content...Amy knows Dad is close by and she was included in my plans.
Both my dogs hated their crates...to the point of non-stop crying for 4 hours straight, even trying to make themselves sick...with the anxiety they showed.
- while crates are the safest mode of vehicle transportation for a dog, 40 years ago, my first two cars never even had seat belts...I think the first few car rides should be as calming & fun, as possible...with a family member passenger, making the experience most positive