Posted by Imogen Holt on April 19, 2008, 8:26 pm, in reply to "labrador going mad in car !!!!"
Message modified by board administrator April 19, 2008, 8:27 pm
Hi Mickey,
These problems can be quite difficult to change, because the dog gets into the habit of being crazy in the car and it can become as much habit as anything. However, you say she gets excited because the trips are exciting. So, take a morning off and enlist the help of a friend. Get your friend to sit in the back of the car so s/he can get hold of your dog's collar.
Then put the dog in the car, sit calmly, then get out and go home. Then do this again. If the dog gets excited get your friend to hold her collar without talking to her or looking at her and ignore her until she's quiet. Then sit still, listen to the radio, chat calmly to each other, etc. Then get out and go home again. Do you see where this is going? Next time, same thing, but this time start the engine. Then turn it off, and go home. A few minutes later, go to the car, start the engine, drive around the block. If she starts, get your friend to do the collar thing again WITHOUT acknowledging her. When she's calm again let go the collar gently and drive back home. Build it up until you can get to the walk without excitement - only then go on the walk. It might not take long.
The important thing is DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE BEHAVIOUR, and DON'T SHOUT AT HER (we've all done it, but it makes matters worse).
Let us know how that goes. They're bright dogs and learn quickly.
Good Luck!
Imogen
http://www.workwonders.org
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