Let's Look At Carsickness.

"She has anxiety."
"how do you know?"
"She pukes in the car.  Every time!"

Well, Ok.  You may not be entirely wrong on this one.  Your dog may be nervous about riding in the car.  She may well be working herself up so much, that it causes her to throw up.  Knowing that the car makes her feel sick (building a negative association in her mind) may be perpetuating her "anxiety."  This can lead to an increase in nervous behaviors in other aspects of her puppy life.  You may notice that she now has more "anxiety" and doesn't want to get in the car.  In fact, she now doesn't like it when  you try to take her outdoors.  And come to think of it, she's started to hide whenever you pick up the leash....

Or, your dog simply feels nauseous in the car.

So what do you do?  Talk to your vet about nausea medication to help alleviate the physical symptom of throwing up.  Then, prepare to take some time and help your dog form Positive Associations with being in the car. 

The following are some tips and games that can help her see the car as a fun place to be.  This will help her to relax, which may help her leave that pukey-ness behind.  With any of these ideas, begin with a car that is Not running.  Progress to starting the vehicle, and going nowhere.  Then maybe back out of the driveway, and pull back in.  Perhaps around the block after that.  Go at whatever speed of progression your dog seems to be happily handling, and before you know it, you won't have to have two layers of puppy pads and a blanket everywhere you go. 

1. In, Out, Around game.
Open both rear doors of your vehicle.  With your pup on a secure leash/harness or collar, climb in to your car.  Encourage your pup to jump in with you.  Be patient.  You may need lots of treats, or a squeaky toy to do this.  Please do not drag the dog in to the car.  If your dog cannot jump in to the car by themselves, set up a ramp, or steps to help.

Once she does follow you in to the car, make a big fuss over her.  "What a Good Dog!  Ohmahgosh you're amazing! Here's a snack! And you got your toy! Yay!"  Then climb out the other side, and invite her to "out" with you.  Give a smaller level reward for this.  The idea being that getting In the car is more exciting, but we still want to encourage her to do what you ask.

Now, run around the back of the car to the other side, and repeat this.  The game becomes faster as the dog gets better at it, so be aware that your dog may try to jump in and immediately jump out.  Be careful not to allow this.  We don't want to give them the idea that jumping out of the car, without being asked, is ok. 

As she gets the hang of following you in to the car, and back out again.  Try tossing a treat, or her toy on the seat and tell her "IN" or "Load Up" and see if she will jump in before you climb in first.  Again, make a big deal out of this, by following her in to the seat and playing with her.

Once you've mastered it with both doors open, go ahead and close the other door and practice again.  Some dogs will need you to go back to climbing in first, when the opposite door is closed.  That's OK!  Just pretend you are teaching this all over again.  Stay positive.

2. Feed Meals In the Car.
Your dog most likely loves eating.  Sitting in the car together for meals can really go a long way towards a better association.  Obviously, you wouldn't want to take a pukey dog, with a full stomach, for a ride.  This is meant to be an exercise where the dog gets a meal, hangs out in the car for a bit, and either goes for a walk, or goes back in the house when finished.

If whole meals don't sound like your kind of plan, you can accomplish this (albeit a touch slower) with a yummy yummy treat, such as chopped chicken breast, or pieces of cheese.  Basically, you want the dog to begin to associate the car with something wonderful!

3.  Stuffed Kong's Rock.
It still fascinates me how many people do not realize you can stuff a Kong toy, with something other than Peanut Butter..or that you can stuff them at all...

Try a mixture of dog food soaked in chicken broth 'til soft (can substitute just water if you desire), with some smashed sweet potatoes, or a little bit of scrambled eggs, or plain Greek yogurt---Basically anything that will not give  your dog diarrhea, and is on the 'safe to share' foods list (see the following link for a list of things NEVER to share https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/people-foods-pets-should-never-eat  )---Freeze that Kong overnight, then offer it to her in the car.  And yes, this can sometimes make a mess while she works to get at that yummy, so lay a towel or blanket over your seat if you want to save your interior.

4.  Use a Canine Seat-Belt, or otherwise restrain the dog.
The motion of the car might be messing with her sense of balance, and her feeling of security.  If she is accustomed to being in a kennel, and small enough to use one, it is perfectly acceptable to put her crate in the car.  Or to have a 'car kennel.'  If you opt for a crate, this must be strapped in for safety in the event of an accident.

Riding in a canine seat-belt can also be a magical way to help your dog relax. 

Not only are these crash-tested for safety, they prevent your dog from escaping through an open door or window.  Please take time to put this on and reward your dog for wearing it, prior to going anywhere in the vehicle.  With some anti-nausea meds on board, these can be life-savers.  And they do in fact come in size Hugemongous, should your dog actually be the size of a small pony.

My own dog, Rockey, is a pacing, whining, obnoxious disaster in the car...Unless he is properly, comfortably restrained in his seat-belt.  Truly, it is Night and Day how different he becomes--Quiet.  Sitting or laying peacefully.  Happy because he feels secure.

5.  Evaluate if Where You Put the Dog Could be Making Her Dizzy.
Some dogs do just fine in the "way back" of a station wagon, or SUV--some do not.  Try putting your dog in a different seat. 

I had one student whose dog was throwing up every time they went anywhere, for more than five minutes in the car.  Her dog customarily rode behind a pet barrier in the hatch back portion of her vehicle.  After moving him to the back seat (with a seat-belt) he stopped vomiting in the car.

6.  Play With a Favorite Toy.
Yes, I know you cannot have 100 lbs of dog careening around after that tennis ball, while flying down the highway...But, you can sit in your driveway and gently toss that favorite ball to him.  Or you can give him a special squeaky, or something that he cannot destroy, but loves intensely.  Just remember, he is not allowed to take that toy, or bone, in to the house.  Car only.

Sometimes, this really is a 'puppy thing'  that they grow out of, but sometimes not.  The medication may take the puke out of it, but it is up to you to help take the negative association away, so that your dog does not develop actual 'anxiety.'  Taking some time to acclimate your dog the the idea that the car is cool, may eliminate the apparent anxiety.  You might well be one of the lucky ones who are blessed to own a dog who is Happy as Heck to go for a ride, but still needs her meds so she doesn't lose her lunch.  But at least she'll be Happy.