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I also posted in "First Time Dog Owners and Basic Questions" as this is a new puppy question (not that I am a first time dog owner) But after posting I thought more appropriate to ask here..
new pup sick in the car, hates car rides....Catch 22 on how to socialize.
Sorry for the book.
So the new guy is 3mo. I've had him 2 weeks now. He salivates (nausea) barks, whines, paws at the crate trying to get out and poops or pees in the crate when in the car. The drive home from the breeders was so horrific for him that I kept him home for a week to let him settle in. Then I went to the vet for his puppy check up and advice on the car issues. Which is to say that we are way behind on the socialization process since he's so traumatized by the car ride, and I need to drive to see people and other dogs.
I'm doing counter conditioning work with positive reinforcement and the car (feeding all meals in car crate) I've taken him on short 1 min, 3 min and then 5 min trips with my other dog who is not car phobic. I've gotten some Cerinia from my vet and talked with her and my +R trainer on the need to give the meds and take him on frequent short positive trips when he's on the drug. I used it yesterday, some success, short car rides with other dog (only whined a little) then a ride to first puppy socialization class he barked the ride home and tried to paw his way out of the crate. The class wasn't a negative experience, it was also NOT a tail wagging good time either. He was timid and interested in other dogs but didn't play with any of them (other pups were smaller, softer)
I'll continue the short trips on drugs with the other dog and try to build positive association for the car. But do it every other day.
ANY other Ideas???
Anyone else deal with this?
I'm reluctant to use the drug every day. For fear of any harmful side effects. Maybe that's my own paranoia that I need to get over quick. But I also have this supposedly tiny window of opportunity to socialize him. So I need to get him out and see other dogs, animals and people but
Likelyhood of him growing out of it? I recall something online about inner ear development of puppies that causes motion sickness.... that they grow out of as they develop. Vet never mentioned this, and I forgot to ask.
Currently only other thought is to play more crate games in his house crates and really up the positive association with the crates.
Re; the pottying in the crate in the car, It really is an accident. HIs potty training os going really well, he never soils in a crate in the house. He is used to his crate, has one attached to his ex pen that he sleeps in all the time (I leave door open though) and He's in a crate at my bedside at night. I am tempted to allow him loose in back (have a dog barrier) to see if there is an associate confinement issue that adds to his car ride panic. But then makes clean up far more difficult.
new pup sick in the car, hates car rides....Catch 22 on how to socialize.
Sorry for the book.
So the new guy is 3mo. I've had him 2 weeks now. He salivates (nausea) barks, whines, paws at the crate trying to get out and poops or pees in the crate when in the car. The drive home from the breeders was so horrific for him that I kept him home for a week to let him settle in. Then I went to the vet for his puppy check up and advice on the car issues. Which is to say that we are way behind on the socialization process since he's so traumatized by the car ride, and I need to drive to see people and other dogs.
I'm doing counter conditioning work with positive reinforcement and the car (feeding all meals in car crate) I've taken him on short 1 min, 3 min and then 5 min trips with my other dog who is not car phobic. I've gotten some Cerinia from my vet and talked with her and my +R trainer on the need to give the meds and take him on frequent short positive trips when he's on the drug. I used it yesterday, some success, short car rides with other dog (only whined a little) then a ride to first puppy socialization class he barked the ride home and tried to paw his way out of the crate. The class wasn't a negative experience, it was also NOT a tail wagging good time either. He was timid and interested in other dogs but didn't play with any of them (other pups were smaller, softer)
I'll continue the short trips on drugs with the other dog and try to build positive association for the car. But do it every other day.
ANY other Ideas???
Anyone else deal with this?
I'm reluctant to use the drug every day. For fear of any harmful side effects. Maybe that's my own paranoia that I need to get over quick. But I also have this supposedly tiny window of opportunity to socialize him. So I need to get him out and see other dogs, animals and people but
Likelyhood of him growing out of it? I recall something online about inner ear development of puppies that causes motion sickness.... that they grow out of as they develop. Vet never mentioned this, and I forgot to ask.
Currently only other thought is to play more crate games in his house crates and really up the positive association with the crates.
Re; the pottying in the crate in the car, It really is an accident. HIs potty training os going really well, he never soils in a crate in the house. He is used to his crate, has one attached to his ex pen that he sleeps in all the time (I leave door open though) and He's in a crate at my bedside at night. I am tempted to allow him loose in back (have a dog barrier) to see if there is an associate confinement issue that adds to his car ride panic. But then makes clean up far more difficult.