Car insanity

[Cessena]

My dog Vlad has been getting worse and worse in the car. He's always been kindof touchy about it. The windows have to be open, and he barks and whines on longer trips, or whenever we slow down and he thinks he can get out. Sometimes he'll calm down, sometimes he wont.

For a while there he would get int he car, start fussing and then if we got out, let him walk around for a minute or so and got back in he would be fine. He also seems to do fine alone in the car for a few minutes. But if my boyfriend and I are driving in the car with him he barks and whines and barks and shoves his head between our arms on the console and cries like the world is ending.

I try to only acknowledge him when he's calm, and quiet, sometimes he'll get treats or chewies or pets when he's being calm, but then he'll go right back to barking in my ear a few seconds later. (And a husky bark in your ear is NOT PLEASANT) Sometimes the stuff going on outside of the car is interesting enough that he'll stop for a bit, but the intervals of calm are short and seem to be getting shorter.

I also have been trying to make him calm down before he can get out of the car, he is often so excited to get out that he'll crawl all over me (probably because we're usually going somewhere fun, grandma's house, the dog park, etc.). He is getting better, but there is still a lot of me pushing on him to hold him back, and not a lot of him actually listening to me.

I have no idea what to do about this.

[bubbatd]

That would drive me nuts !!!

[ihartgonzo]

First off, I would get him a car seatbelt/harness... or crate him. Pacing around and shoving his head under your arms and crying has got be a HUGE distraction while you're driving!

Taking Vlad on numerous short, boring, positive car trips could help desensitize him to riding in the car. Make sure he sits and he's calm before he gets into the car and before you let him out. Try to give him plenty of vigorous exercise, until he's tired out, before you take him for a ride. Teach him a "quiet" command and reward him for being quiet and chilling out in the car.

[Lolas Dad]

I only had a problem with Lola carrying on when she was in her crate in a friends van. We were going to the drive in theater. When she is in her car booster seat looking out the window she is fine.

Does your dog get in the car on its own or do you need to force the dog in?

[bubbatd]

An open car door = dogs in !

[Cessena]

Weirdly, he will only get in on one side of the car easily at a time. For a long time he would only get in on the Driver's Side because he hit his head getting in on the passengers side. But now he will jump right in on the passengers side, and wont get in on the driver's side. He's usually pretty happy about it though.

I guess I haven't been taking him on as many boring car trips, so I will try doing that more. He doesn't really handle being crated or restrained particularly well, so I hesitate to spend money on a harness that will only make the screaming worse.

[Angelique]

Good advice from some others.

Your dog sounds like he has some issues with respecting your personal space (trampling you) and yeilding to restraint (harnesses and crates).

Part of this is a respect/leadership issue and part of this has to do with your dog learning to be patient and calm.

Long boring drives are good. Making him stop and wait until he is calm before proceeding in or out of the car, will help. Your dog needs to learn some self control and boundaries in social situations.

Classical Conditioning is part of how dogs (and all animals) associate one thing with another. That "thing" can even be a frame of mind and/or a behavior which is triggered by something else, such as the jingling of car keys, the smell of gasoline, the sight of the car, etc...the trick is to get your dog to associate these things with calm patience, rather than excited anticipation.

I'd also pay attention to your intensity and anticipation of how your dog has been reacting and be aware of how changing your behavior may begin to change both your dog's behavior and mental state.

Hang in there, I'm sure with a little work you can turn this around.

[AGonzalez]

Originally Posted by Cessena

Weirdly, he will only get in on one side of the car easily at a time. For a long time he would only get in on the Driver's Side because he hit his head getting in on the passengers side. But now he will jump right in on the passengers side, and wont get in on the driver's side. He's usually pretty happy about it though.

I guess I haven't been taking him on as many boring car trips, so I will try doing that more. He doesn't really handle being crated or restrained particularly well, so I hesitate to spend money on a harness that will only make the screaming worse.

While the screaming might be horribly annoying, it's a lot safer than having a dog all over you while you are driving.
I second going on boring trips. Maybe starting out being tired and then having something in the car to distract his attention (kong filled with that liver goop?) and make it a high value treat. If he starts whining and such maybe a passenger could distract him, and when he's quiet, treat him? I think being consistent with a passenger would be key, because we know it's hard to drive and give dogs treats, pats, etc...not to mention dangerous.

[Cessena]

Part of this is a respect/leadership issue and part of this has to do with your dog learning to be patient and calm.

This is true. He is a husky, so leadership issues are pretty much normal, but I think the patient and calm part is something we could actually do something about.

He just has a really hard time calming down once he gets excited or anxious. He also has separation anxiety, and can be leash reactive if he's feeling nervous or overly excited. When he's calm he would never dream of stepping on me or jumping on me, but when he's overly excited/anxious, like in the car, or in unfamiliar environments he will.

He's generally a really sweet and mellow dog, but when he gets too wound up he's like a different animal.

If anybody has recommendations for ways I could work with him on learning to remain calm, I would love that as well. I will go look at harnesses tonight.

[Angelique]

Sometimes it's the destination the dog comes to expect which can cause too much excitement in the car. Kind of like Pavlov's Dog drooling when they hear the bell, because it represents food. I've seen dogs who anticipate the dog park (or any other high energy activity at the end of the ride) associating it with the car, and getting very over-the-top in the car.

Sometimes it's just a dog venting energy. Husky, you say?

Bit of a challenge there.

Do you do any structured walking, where your dog has to concentrate on holding a position at your side? This is a great exercise for teach self-control to your dog, and assess how they view you as their leader. It also takes mental energy.

Warning: Due to the Cesar Millan nature of the advice I may give, personal discretion is advised.