Making travel easier???

[Traveling Mom]

My little guy hasn't traveled all that much, tho I am currently training him to ride in the car. Even tho we are taking it very slooooowly, he gets agitated and nervous and whines...even when we are at "Stage 2" (sit in car, in driveway, with engine on).

Is there anything that can make him more comfortable (I'm not crazy about drugging him cuz he will also be flying in a plane with me) and calm?
Thanks!

[E's]

IMO the dog's own vet should be consulted about this ASAP. My `Eowyn is a GSD from a working line of very large dogs; she weighs nearly 100 lbs, so airplane rides are probably not in her future, but we've had quite a bit of experience in surface travel. She absolutely loves riding in a car, but sometimes becomes nervous/unhappy on long trips. I have had great success with a generic brand of a well known antihistamine, which calms but does not render the dog unconscious. However, dosage MUST be carefully calculated for the individual dog, by that dog's DVM...

Please define "little" ... give size, weight and type? One assumes your dog is crate trained, and will be in his carrier on board a commercial airliner? In the cabin with you, not in the cargo area? If you can do so, make a test run to the terminal with the dog... or if this is not an option, take him to visit a PetSmart or other pet friendly place - even the parking lot of a busy shopping center, anywhere there are people, noise and activity. Another tip: make every effort to remain calm yourself while doing these things ! (Me, I've always been what used to be politely called "high strung" but nowadays is just "hyper"... so I know a little about how one's own mood effects a pet's reactions.)

Good luck! Let us hear of your progress when you can.

Dot B
New Orleans

[davet]

i agree getting info from your vet because some breeds and some sizes will =make the difference in the medication...i used to get good results from pediatric donnatol or similar compounds...it is not a tranquilizer but rather a sedative that relaxes them and makes them a little less anxious...but ask you vet 3what to use..

[Travelling Mom]

My guy is 4, neutered, 20 lbs, and a Bichon or Bichon mix. He'll be in his little travel bag, and inside the airplane with me, under my seat.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!