When I take my 3 year old black lab in the car with me he gets really excited. He in anticipating going somewhere and doing something that he likes. He will breathe heavy, whine a lot, and bark if he sees another dog or if a person comes close to the car. I'm not sure how to correct this behavior appropriately. I always have him enter the car calmly by having his sit, but inevitably he gets going once in the car. Is there some other way to correct this besides getting an electronic collar?
He is not crated when in the car, he is in the far back and separated from the passengers. The only thing I thought of is to have his prong collar on, and a long lead so I could give him a correction when he gets out of control. I don't think that's the ideal. I'm wondering if there is some way of training him to understand that car=calm.
Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
Posts: 1824
Loc: Cambridge, MA
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Peter, do you only put your dog in the car to take him someplace fun? Or does he get to ride along with you regardless of whether the trip has an exciting end, or not (ie, trip to the grocery store... waiting for you to shop... trip home...etc.)?
Sounds to me like you've just conditioned him (inadvertently) to think that the car ALWAYS means fun time is coming. Once he gets amped up with anticipation, the barking at passersby and such is just a symptom of excitement. If this is the case, you could condition him OUT of thinking the car is so much fun by loading him up to just sit in the driveway for a few minutes (you in the car too) - then maybe load up and drive around the block, then get out - keep extending the "boringness" of what most car rides are until he starts to settle down and stop always anticipating a giant party when the car finally stops. I'm not an expert here, but this sounds more like a conditioning problem than aggression.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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I personally try to keep the excitement down with my lab ala doggie seatbelt which forces the dog into a sit. It keeps her off my lap when she spots a bird and from trying to go through the window when we stop at the blind. Often times a little restraint is all thats needed to keep the tail from slapping me in the face while I drive. You can also start using a bark collar in the car.
The lab usually is beyond excited when she sees the gun and gear make it's way towards the truck so if she seems a little over the top we take a quick walk to get the jitters out.
Thanks guys!! I need to figure out the "shut up" command. Otis will bark once if I ask him to, but I can't get him to keep barking in order to train the no bark command.
I'll have to figure out the crate thing. I don't have money to buy extra crates and bark collars right now.
Reg: 12-15-2007
Posts: 143
Loc: New Zealand, Auckland
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Peter does your dog actually bark on command? And does he know the meaning of the word 'no'?
If so then combining the two shouldn't be too hard - 'no bark' or whatever word you use.
We taught Max to bark on command (using 'gelt' - Portugese I think) and now we can say 'no gelt' and he will stop barking, if only for a few seconds - he hasn't quite figured out that we actually mean he has to shut up longer than that.
Well, that is the trick, he will stop for a couple seconds, but he is so excited that he'll start barking again. I'm doing a lot of work with him on drive and focus and the distraction phase of training. I realize that I haven't taught him that he needs to listen to me under any distraction.
He understands "no" he just gets real wound up and then has less self control.
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