Car sickness

Spring is coming, and with warm weather comes vacations. If you have a dog that doesn't travel well, I have a few tips that might help. These tips take consistency in order for them to work. If you have a puppy that hasn't ridden in the car yet, start his/her car experience with a trip to the end of the driveway and back. Do this for several days and then go a little farther, say to the end of your street or road. This needs to be done for about a week. After that, continue to expand the car ride for about 2 more weeks. Toward the last week, take a road that has some curves to it. If your dog gets sick on the curvy road, then, if possible, take your puppy back to that road and only go around one curve and turn around and go back. Do this for three or four days, and then expand the ride again, on the curvy road. Another tip is don't feed or water before your trip. You can tell if your dog isn't doing well because they will act like they have a dry mouth and keep licking the lips and smacking the tongue on the roof of the mouth. Slobbering is another sign. Use the same method on an older dog that hasn't ridden in the car. Also, you can use a crate, Vari-kennel, to kennel the dog in the car. The crate offers a feeling of safety to the dog. A dog loves to have what I call their own little "hidey hole." Well, just a little information to help you and your pet get ready for some fun in the sun this summer.