Car Training?

[AlfiesMum]

I don't know if I have posted this in the right forum but my 9 month old Yorkie goes mad in the car. We have tried all sorts to calm him down from the calming spray to sitting on daddy's knee and on his own car harness. We just don't know how to settle him. He barks and cries and when he gets out of the car he constantly barks. It's not as if he is not used to the car and it is getting worse the older he is getting.

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Herschel]

Do you reinforce his behavior by responding to it and fussing over him?

 

[AlfiesMum]

I just tell him "quiet" which he does response to in the house if he is noisey but it doesn't seem to work in the car. I have said to my hubby to ignore him to see if that works too but he finds it hard to ignore him. We don't fuss over him though it's just a firm "quiet".

 

[bubbatd]

Would letting him look out the window or even have it openned a bit for him help ??? What is the calming spray ???

 

[Maxy24]

He's probably anxious. Start slow, just sit in the car without going anywhere with him. Give him treats when he lays down or is just calm. excessive panting is a sign of stress so until he is relaxed don't move onto the next step. Once he is relaxed just repeat sitting in the car while the car is on. Then move yourself to the front seat and give treats for calm behavior from up front. When you are done with the sessions take him out and do something fun like playing in the yard or going for a walk. Once he comfortable with sitting in the running car drive down the driveway, stop the car and give some treats, then go back up the driveway, stop and give some treats. et out of the car and do something fun. Once he ok with this then you can move to short drives down the street making sure to stop and give him treats if he is calm. If he does not remain calm then go back to the previous step for a while. Then you can start going on longer and longer drives but always go somewhere fun, a park or trail that you can walk in or play at. Soon you'll make the car ride a predictor of something good (the park) and he'll be happy and excited to go on a trip.

Now if you think your dog is barking because of stuff he sees out the window I would block the windows with dark paper so he can't see out. If he's quiet for a short drive then have a passenger take a piece of paper down while you drive and as soon as he starts barking put the paper back up. Soon he'll learn if he wants to watch the stuff outside he has to be quiet.

If you go to let him out of the car and he starts barking just wait and once he stops let him out. If he then stats barking when you open the door then close it and wait. If once he's out of the car he starts to bark just wait patiently until he stops. Since you are going somewhere good he'll want to go play so he'll learn to stay quiet if he wants to play or go on his walk.

I also suggest either crating him or getting him a dog seat belt for safety purposes, a crate may also make him feel more safe and secure so long as you take the time to get him used to the crate in the house before using it in the car.

 

[AlfiesMum]

Thanks for all the advice. I have a car seat belt for him which I use when its only me and him in the car. He usually sits on my husbands knee if I am driving. He also tries to get on my knee when I am driving so I don't know if he just wants on my knee or he associates my car door as the way out. He does look out the window too which quietens him for a while and then his down crying again. I also leave the window slightly opened for him.

The calming spray I have my neighbour gave to me. She bought it from the vet for her dog to try and calm him with they are setting off the fireworks at Halloween. She is not even sure it worked for Max but it also says its good for car journeys and seperation anxiety. It is meant to have the scent of the mother if you know what I mean but to be honest I have used them for the car journeys and for seperation anxiety and I don't think it does any good.

 

[bubbatd]

How about your husband sitting in the back seat with him when you drive ? I never let young pups get used to the front seat . Do agree with Maxy's post . I had a foster who hated the car .... after just hanging out , driveway "ride " and around the block , he was fine .

 

[angie8023]

I think Maxy gave great advice. My dog hated the car so much. He was vomitting and just miserable. It took a lot of time but now he loves the car! It just takes repitition. That's what worked for me Good luck and keep us posted.