New puppy drooling in car

AryaStark

Hi All.

We got a new puppy (rescue from the pound). He was bought as a christmas present and the first surrender to our local pound. We had decided last year to get a dog and waited until January as we knew there would be plenty of dogs looking for new homes.

Anyway brought him home on Thursday and so far everything is going great. There is one issue though.. he is drooling a lot while in the car. He got a bit sick coming from the pound and drooled. Then this morning I had him in the car to visit family (only 10 minute drive)... when we got there he had drooled and was quite wet.

Does anybody know if I should worry about this. Is he just nervous? As he is small do I have to worry about him loosing so much fluids and being dehydrated?

My other dogs have always loved the car so I have no experience with this.

AryaStark

He is is! A 9 week old collie/husky cross!

Tom Mann Centuria

Over salivating can be a sign of nausea in humans, presume same in dogs. I'd say your dog is car sick. My old dog travelled fine, my current dog doesn't like the car at all, well the movement of the car at least.

Bells21

He's probably car sick/nervous in the car. Starting at the very start to make it a rewarding and enjoyable experience for him. Having the dog sit in the car, door open car not on and treat. Once they are happy enough with that move on to having the door closed and offering treats. Then onto having the car started but stationary. Then moving it slightly and building up slowly so long as the dog it happy and not showing any signs of nervousness.
It will take awhile but if you plan on having the dog in the car quite a bit it's worth it. Also being careful not to feed too close to going in the car might help if they are feeling ill.

tk123

I’ve read that ginger biscuits are good for car sickness lol!

sillysmiles

My dog had terrible car sickness when we got him first. Part of it is anxiousness and part is the road. He hates roundabouts. We done a lot of work with him so that he is happy to get into the car and try to manage his journeys.

To start with, esp with a puppy, try pop him into the car, with it on, and sit there, reward and out again without going anywhere. Build it up then with small journeys.

richard john fallon

it is quite possible that he is associating the car journey with the trauma of being dumped by his previous "family", this sometimes happens, if this is the case , then only time , lots of attention , and getting used to car journeys with happy outcomes will get him past this.
hope you have success , and its good that you chose a rescue dog from the shelter.

coolisin

He’s class!!
Our Fella was the same around that age would drool a lot and get car sick.
We heard fresh ginger was great for settling stomachs, It stopped his car sickness alright he won’t touch any form of ginger now.
I assume he associates ginger with getting sick.

AryaStark

Thanks for all the reply... we are doing much better now! I have been introducing him to the car slowly and on our last trip out he didn't drool at all. He seems happier now to be in the car and once Nymeria, his big sister!!!, is there he is fine. Little bit of crying but I think that that is ok.

It is important for me that he gets comfortable in the car as we do a lot of travelling to find the perfect hike etc...

bertsmom

Op he is just gorgeous! Congratulations on your newest family member. My current dog is just fine in the car I could go Belfast to Cork and he wud just enjoy the trip but his little brother who we got from the rescue the poor little mite used to drool so much and vomit if the journey was anything over twenty minutes. It never actually went away but he used to be so much better in the end. He always drooled but didn't vomit every time I think he did associate going in the car to fun activities like the beach etc. so maby positive association coupled with short spins to start with might help. Hope all goes well and he have many many happy healthy years together.

RhubarbCrumble

Aw he's lovely. I'm glad he got a good home.
I don't have a dog but I have a cat who does the exact same thing in the car. Last time I took her to the vet she drooled so much that she looked like she was foaming at the mouth. Vet looked at her, laughed and said 'Here for the rabies vaccine are we?"

I think there's nothing to worry about OP.

AryaStark

I was worried about him getting dehydrated! I am a bit of a hypochondriac about my dogs! I had a lovely amazing collie/lurcher cross and she died at 4 and a half of addison disease... she was so healthy looking and just got sick one day and died within 3 days...

I am very lucky to have an understanding vet who doesn't mind me turning up with my dog because I think she might be a bit snarky and sick... she never is and he is great with her and the new baby!

gilly 60

Just to say your little dog is a Beauty, maybe its just a bit nervous and will soon get to enjoy a drive.