BehavioRx Case of the Month
for May 2006

The Carsick Cairn Terrier

The owners of a 2 year-old spayed Cairn Terrier named Bessie had a change in lifestyle. Besides her ride to their home from the litter at 7 weeks old, she had
lived her life in a comfortable house and yard along with her brother. Their only car rides were to the veterinarian, and then in their crates in the back seat of the car.
Now the owners had switched occupations and needed to travel for two weeks every month. They didn't want to board the dogs due to the cost. However, on their first trip, Bessie became carsick and vomited with 30 minutes and was also hyperactive in the car. Her brother, Bart, was no problem.

During our consultation, it became clear that Bessie was accustomed to controlling most of the social actions around her middle-aged married owners, Lillian and Ed. She was what they called a "noodge." Bessie revealed that at our office, too, but always with good humor (tail wagging).

We all agreed that "good natured and bossy" described Bessie to a T.

Lillian and Ed agreed that even bossy children didn't enjoy car rides with their parents, since they were literally out of the social and environmental "driver's
seat." Bossy dogs are even more out of control.

Bessie and Bart had been well socialized in their litter and their new owners had lots of visitors nearly every day at home. Neither owner wanted to have to crate the
dogs for their driving, hence our involvement in the solution.

Our standard BehaivoRx program for "Carsickness" was implemented forthwith.

1. Rule out health problems. A veterinary exam indicated Bessie's eyesight and other faculties were in excellent shape.

2. Dealing with her Bossiness required putting Lillian and Ed in positions of leadership, so the "Obedience Training - A Primer" was instituted for both Bessie and
Bart.

3. Extremely short rides every day for a week, at first just around the block, were begun after Bessie began responding well to the owners, which took two weeks on the Learn-To-Earn, "No Free Lunch" program.

4. The rides were widened to four blocks at the third week and thereafter extended weekly.

After a month, Bessie and Bart took their first extended family business trip of 135 miles without any signs of nausea or hyperactivity from Bessie. If anything, they
reported that Bart was the "antsy" dog.

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May 28, 2006