Hi, as a new member to the Forum I wonder if I can have your help.

On 1 May I became the new owner of a 5 year old male neutered Lab (from a dogs home).  He is very well behaved and a joy to own except for one area - car travel.

After my first outing with him in the car which can only be described as a nightmare (I think his previous owner allowed him front seat position with his head sticking out of the window) I invested in a car harness which has improved his behaviour somewhat.  He is still very excitable, puffing and panting and sometimes making 'crying' noises in his throat (which he only ever makes in the car) but I am continuing the 'meaningless, boring journey' routine hoping that eventually he will realise that car journeys do not always lead to exciting walks.

However, my main problem is when I leave him in the car.  He will bark continually and pace around as far as his harness will allow.  I cannot pop to a shop or a petrol station for a couple of minutes without this happening.  (Please note that when I leave him in the house alone he does not bark.)

I have tried 'the ignore him approach' but after 20 minutes of his barking I had to return to the car (as the neighbours would probably start complaining).  To do this entailed me having to climb out one of the house windows to be able to return to the car without him seeing me to  make him jump by shouting "No" whilst banging on the car window whilst he was barking (another idea put forward by the dog training manuals).  However, I am finding it difficult to be elsewhere so he knows I have left him but also be by the car unnoticed to reprimand him!

Has anyone had this problem or can anyone suggest a solution?  I am due to travel on a ferry with him in August and need to start some serious re-training to try to make him accept being in the car alone. 

Prev

Hi prev .. :-) please read 'barking in cars' posted recently in the 'behaviour' section of Champ Dogs. You need to get you dog used to being left without getting anxious..one way is to get him used to frequently  going in the car... the section mentioned describes how to do this (does not include climbing through window lol!). Would advise to take him for a walk before you leave him,don't leave him for long and make SURE he is not too hot!! good luck  ;-) 

Hi Prev and welcome to CD.

Whatever you do DON'T bang on the window to tell him no. It will only make him worse, not better. He'll think it's a game.

Can you get a crate for him instead of the harness. You could try to cover the crate, then, so he couldn't see out. You've got your work cut out for you with a rescue dog that has been allowed to bark :D Someone else might have other suggestions.

Hi Prev,

Sorry if I'm going to be long, but I have a rescue dog who also barked in the car when left alone, who threw up when the car was moving, and barked and whined when she was not throwing up.  And now she loves the car and is very calm.  Like you we often go for car journeys, which are sometimes up to 6 days long.  Imagine having six days worth of vomit and barking. :D  Not nice.  But back to the point, I solved the problems myself, so I know something about this.

First, start training the "settle" command, it is invaluable for many things not just car trips.  Here is how to train it:  Sit on the floor and have a book near or the telly on as you will be stationary for up to 40 minutes (not at first though).  Then use a treat to lure him into a down while saying "settle", make sure he is laying on one hip.  When he gets down give him the treat and start stroking him with long strokes, this is like a relaxant, and say "settle" repeatedly in a low calm voice, you may find out he actually likes it. NEVER force him to stay down, that's why you only practice when he is tired.   Each time you say "settle" and he stays still, praise him, but also in a calm voice.  At first only have him settle when he is calm, and then only for 5  minutes, then release him by saying "all done" or wharever other term you want, but remember only use this term with the "settle".   As he gains understanding of what settle means have him settle for longer times.  When he can stay down for 10 minutes take him to the park or for a walk and after he has had a run have him "settle" at your feet for 15 minutes while you read the papers or a book, and remember gradually introduce more distractions as he gains profeciency.  After 3 or 4 weeks of training every day, you should be able expect him to "settle" for 20 minutes in the town.  But every dog is different, yours may learn faster or slower, it doesn't matter how fast he learns, what matters is how relaxed he and reliable he is.  :)

What you can start to do now is go out to the car with him.  Leave all the doors open, and if it is a station wagon leave the hatch open as well.  Now put him in the harness get into the front and start reading, if he goes into contortions or starts barking, ignore him, just keep on reading.  After he stops, praise him and give him a biscuit, stay in the car for another 20 minutes. do this for about a week.  If he likes rawhide bones or stuffed kongs then bring one of them the next time you go for another "stationary car ride" :D, this time afer he settles down ( not the command) give him the kong or chew toy.  After he is engrossed with the toy start the car and start reading again, and spend at least another 30 minutes in the car. 

Do this for another week, by the end of that time he will understand the "settle" command.  Then go to the car, tell him to "settle", give him the toy, shut the doors, and get in the front.  Now, he understands shutting the doors means "We're going for a drive", and you will be back where you started.   That's where the "settle" command comes in to play.  If you have never force him to stay still and you have practiced enough, his mind will have been conditioned that "settle" means relaxation and calmness, that is why you never force him down.  Stay in the car for minimum 30 minutes a day.  After a week or whenever he is immediatly relaxed from the moment he gets in the car, start the car and start the process again.  After a week of daily 30 minute sessions or again whenever he becomes relaxed from the moment you get in the car, do the same process again only this time drive the car ahead for a few feet, then stop the car but don't turn it off.  If he is still relaxed drive ahead for a few more feet.  For the next week only do this, gradually increasing the time you move.

The next step is very important.  Get in the car, act the same, only this time drive around the block.  Do this for a week as well.  Try not to take him out in the car apart from the times you are working with him as if he acts wildly in the car it will cause a regression.  If at any point you see a regression go back to the step before and cover it untill he seems better.  :)

This may even help with the barking especially if you bring a toy or a kong for him to play with and give it to him and you tell him to "settle" before you leave the car. 

What are his normal barking patterns, and how often does he bark?  That could help us form a picture of how to solve the behaviour problem, as different types of obsessive barking need different treatment.

And congratulations on getting your lab. :)

                                                                                                                                                  Kate

Thank you reddoor, LindyLou and KateL for your swift responses.

Your advice has been very helpful and I will persevere with getting him used to the car as a relaxed place. 

KateL, you did not go on too long at all - it's nice to know someone has gone through the problems (although you had more than I to deal with) and succeeded to turn things around.

Thanks again for your help - wish me luck.  (Hopefully this may prevent me from being arrested on suspicion of burgling my own house!)

ps - Unfortunately a crate is out of the question as my father's motorised wheelchair often takes up the majority of the boot space.