[yorkietalkjilly]

It sounds like he's happy with the trip, the anticipation of the destination and the destination of happy exploring, visiting with friends, going to the park, going shopping, etc., but doesn't like the trip back all that much? He seems to realize that the fun of that destination is over and he is whining, wanting it back. Is there any rationale to that? Is there some way you can really tire him out at the first destination having him jump over and up and down a few short steps, toss a ball, have him chase it, fetch and fetch and see if you can really wear him out so that he is so tuckered out he just wants to life down for the trip back? It almost sounds as if he's complaining saying I did the trip there pretty okay, had some fun looking around and exploring but before I know it, I'm back in the boring car and I want out to have fun and explore. I wonder if it is the boredom of the trip that is his biggest bugaboo with car travel?

I'm thinking a carseat where he could watch outside could help him be less bored. And if you teach him to watch you for a treat, a trick that teaches a dog to focus and control its impulse to do something else while looking in your eyes. That way if he starts whining, say "Watch me" every so occasionally and eventually treat him when he does.

To teach this, stand up and say "Watch me" by looking him in the face. When he locks eyes with you, praise him as a mark that he's done what you asked, put the treat in front of your eyes so he sees it and your eyes and then give it to him. Now, move your head a bit, step or move to one side, way "Watch me", when he locks eyes, praise and treat him with that treat in the path of your eyes all the way to his mouth. No treat if he looks away, just an "uh oh" and look away for 60 boring seconds. Move a bit again and say "Watch me", praise when he locks eyes and treat him from your eyes to his mouth. Short, repetitions and a good game of toss the ball and outside when he's done.

Keep repeating this training in short sessions of only about 3-5 per episode a few times a day with at least 2 hours between sessions and a hard play session, outside afterward. Keep moving and changing position a bit before you say "Watch me" so he'll never know what you are up to and want to follow you with his eyes. In time, start to make him watch you longer from the time you lock eyes before you praise and treat, and if he stays focused for a longer period of time, he's learning to control himself and do what you want. In time, he can look at you for a long time to get his praise and treat. It will help when he's whining or barking or distracted when outside or acting crazy and it will keep your dog busy focusing on you rather than whining or barking or acting up. He will do it to get his praise and his treat and eventually, in time, he will just learn to do it by rote because you told him to and he really wants to please you. But by doing this, you are keeping him busy focusing on you, your praise, his reward and the happiness both of you feel when he succeeds. He will sense and know how good behaving feels and how much you like it and start to work hard to achieve that state between the two of you. It could help him cope with his propensity to whine and grow bored and needy during a trip away from what was a fun destination he really enjoyed.