Dog trainer Oahu answers questions asked by dog owners and pet enthusiasts.
Dog trainer Oahu,
My chihuahua gets sick when I take him for car rides. I drive from Waimanalo to Kahala, but he throws up while in the car.
Can you help me with this?
Sam W. in Waimanalo
Hi Sam,
Be sure to feed your dog less than normal before taking your dog on car trips. Feeding the dog a small amount of scrambled egg (cold or room temperature) can help before a car ride. You can place your dog in a travel bag or on the floor board. Either way, I suggest that you put brown paper underneath your chihuahua. If you place your dog in a carrier, be sure that the location is stable (not shaky or wobbling about the car). I place a brown paper shopping bag at the bottom of the travel bag so that the dog is in contact with the brown paper. If the dog is not in a travel bag, then place the brown paper on the floor board. And get your dog to stay in that area.
Remember to drive in a smooth manner. When I am driving with a dog, I drive a little slower than my normal speed. I try not to drive in a herky jerky manner. No sudden stops, nor sharp turns, nor rapid accelerations. Drive as if you are driving with a surf board on top of your car. I’ve driven multiple dogs around in my car (individually) and I find that most of them fall asleep. I’m certain that the motion and my careful driving style is what rocks them to sleep.
If you have a question for dog trainer Oahu, please submit it on this page as a public comment.
Hi dog trainer Oahu,
I got a puppy as an emotional support dog. My dog has started barking and I am worried that it will bother the neighbors. Please help me!
Caren S. in Makiki
Aloha Caren,
While a dog can be a great support, remember that your puppy is going to take on your characteristics, especially if you live alone. If you are continually nervous, then your dog can adopt those traits.
The other day I was carrying a puppy across Kapiolani park while a group was playing soccer. The ball was kicked out of bounds and one of the players yelled at me for not helping him retrieve the ball. Maybe at other times I could have exchanged words with this stranger, but at this moment I was carrying a young dog in my arms and I knew that being calm was best for the puppy’s development. If I had gotten angry and engaged in a verbal battle with a stranger, I would be improving the chance that my client’s dog would exhibit temper tantrums. So be calm. You are the role model for your dog.
Aloha Dog trainer Oahu,
What type of dog do you have?
Christine in Honolulu
Aloha Christine,
Actually, I don’t have a dog. I do this intentionally because I offer a board and train service in which I take a client’s dog home with me and train that dog (or puppy) as if he is my own dog. Not having a dog of my own allows me to focus entirely on the dog that I am training privately. I give this dog all day training, exercise, and exposure to new situations that helps the dog adapt to the owner’s requests.
