Dog's first holiday

YP, I've had a couple of Pups that didn't like travel, they all grew up to enjoy it knowing what was to come. The not feeding is a good one, I also gave them access to the Windows just like us-if they can focus an a point in the distance it helps. I built a pallet for the back of my pickup to enable 2 Pups to see out. They all worked for me, I hope you get sorted. I'm sure there'll be more folk along with ideas too. Good post

Hi,  It's not uncommon for pups to be travel sick , as our's was ,but grew out of it

dont let him travel with an empty tummy, but just give him a plain biscuit (Bonio) etc, sometimes the type of car you have can make a difference, ie a car with soft suspension can make them feel unwell untill they get used to it

just keep taking him and he will grow out of it

We had this problem if travelling in a cage with no view, changed to sitting on the back seat with harness and seatbelt clip.  No problems now.  As a fellow travel sickness sufferer the pup has my sympathies.  I too would say don't travel on an emtpy tummy as not having anything to be sick with is not nice either.  I'm much into alternative mediences and ginger is good but I don't know if it's any good for dogs.  Make sure that you have familar things in your motorhome or caravan and you'll have a great time.  Always plenty of exercise whilst you're away as everyone is exploring and sleep is not an issue .

Ginger is ok to give to dogs and is used to treat travel sickness ,but you need to give the right dose it would be best to speak to your vet before using it ,as to much ginger will make your dog sick...................

Good luck with your pup. I have had 2 dogs that suffered with travel sickness, one was a GSD and the other a whippet. I always travelled them on empty tummies. The only thing I gave to eat was a couple of plain ginger biscuits. I also gave a small dose of Stugeron (travel sickness preperation), sold for human consumption, most chemists stock them. A 12 yr old child can have 2 tablets. I would suggest 1/2 a tablet for a 4 month old pup. Unfortunately both my dogs were around 4 years of age before they grew out of it. They both loved the car though, it never put them off getting in. Make sure you do a few short/fun journeys. Some dogs only ever go in the car when they are either going to the vets, or to kennels. Have fun.

Good luck with the GSD - I have a half GSD half Rottie who came at about one year old - she was very sick for the first few weeks in the car and hated getting into it.  With a GSD and a Lab as travel companions I tried the back seat of the car as opposed to the back back with the others - partly to avoid them the embarrassment!  After a while she insisted on joining them in the back back and stopped throwing up.  I am not sure if dogs stomachs are at all similar to humans with travel sickness but a  German North Sea Ferry Captain told me years ago that us Brits make the mistake of travelling with empty stomachs which resulted in sea sickness.  I was guilty and have felt much better myself travelling with food in my tum!  The argument was that the food soaked up the acids but as I say not sure it works for dogs.  Ginger biscuits sound a good idea - ginger tabletss work for me too. 

Hello we are taking are 4 month old Gsd on his first holiday over the new year. any tips please also he suffering from travel sickness taken him on short journeys but just can't seem to get used to travel tried travel sickness tablets and also not feeding him beforehand with no success .

It took Simon our JRT until he was over a year old to stop being sick in the car. It became less and less frequent but it still happened on occasions. Now at nearly 2 I can't recall the last time he was TBH. He copes with long journey's (eg from the NE of the UK to the Lot France) now with no problem what so ever. I think some dogs take longer than others and your GSD may just need a bit more perserverence. We didn't use any meds. but just got in the habit of not feeding him, which we can now do wih no problem.

Good luck with your pup. I have had 2 dogs that suffered with travel sickness, one was a GSD and the other a whippet. I always travelled them on empty tummies. The only thing I gave to eat was a couple of plain ginger biscuits. I also gave a small dose of Stugeron (travel sickness preperation), sold for human consumption, most chemists stock them. A 12 yr old child can have 2 tablets. I would suggest 1/2 a tablet for a 4 month old pup. Unfortunately both my dogs were around 4 years of age before they grew out of it. They both loved the car though, it never put them off getting in. Make sure you do a few short/fun journeys. Some dogs only ever go in the car when they are either going to the vets, or to kennels. Have fun.

A veteinary nurse who's opinion I trust has always said to me to never ever give anything intended for human consumption to a pet. Even if you think you are correctly adjusting the dosage it can have unintended consequences as not everything suitable for humans is suitable for animals (and vice versa of course!). The only exeception to this is if it is under veteinary supersvision or on their advice (we have given Piriton under such circumstances). People should seek professional advice before doing this.

Our dog yorkshire terrier he's 22 months now, didn't like traveling always sick even on a short journey 4 miles. We don't feed him before we go and make sure he does his business before we go he is fine now. He will get used to travelling just be patience.

How did your dog's first holiday go youngphil? Hopefully all was ok, and all had a good time?