Car Barking - HELP! I have a 3 year-old YorkiePoo who loves to ride in the car. I enjoy taking him with me but there are times when he can't always go inside a store, or pumping gas, and I have to leave him in the car (never on hot days, windows partially open and he's in his car seat). As soon as I get out of the car he starts barking uncontrollably like he's being tortured but once I'm inside he stops and calms down. He doesn't do this at home when I have to leave him alone. It's gotten so bad that I no longer take him with me. Any suggestions on how to make him quiet in the car when I'm not there? |
Sounds like separation anxiety and hyperexcitement all mixed together. He's probably so excited to get to be out in the car, so he's amped anyway and then his mama goes off and leaves him. Try to the exercise involving getting out of the car but only staying out a moment and then getting back in, so he realizes when you leave him in the car, it is not "forever". Each time, lengthen your time out of the car before getting back in. After a while, walk a way from the car a few feet but right back and get in the car with him. Increase you time out of the car and your distance from it gradually and before long he will begin to get the idea that there is no need for him to bark out to call you back and he'll begin to relax in the car. Once he's quiet after you've been out of the car and away from it but still within his line of sight, reward him with a lovely treat and praise the patience he is learning. Eventually, go into a store and come right back out and join him, then gradually increase your time in the store. It can take a week or so but inside that time with a few of these exercises, a smart dog will get the idea he's not going to be left forever and accept his lot in life in this regard. Once he's learning gradual separation is not so bad, teach him to bark on command. Once he's barking on command like a champion, teach him the "Quiet" command. You can then work that "Quiet" command into your gradual separation lesson and he will eventually get the idea that sitting quietly and waiting for you will get him a great big praise and lovely greeting when you do return. As you know, leaving a cute dog unattended alone in a car is dangerous these days due to dognapping, even when the weather is nice and cool and no danger exists from that. Some people can use a special tool and bust a window open in 3 seconds, have your door open and your baby gone within 30 seconds. I know you'll be very cautious when he is alone unattended in the car. I would start by teaching him to bark on command and then teach him the "Quiet" command. Keep working on that until he has aced it. Then, get out of the car with him in his carseat, window open and when he starts barking, give him the quiet command and the moment he stops - even for a part of a second - reward him through the window. Keep saying "Quiet" and get back in the car with him. |
Never, ever, ever leave them in a car unattended, period. Sorry, but thats what I believe. I have a very small canvas carrier that I use to run in the store and I don't pump gas with them in the car, its to easy to get distracted watching pump, paying etc....(no one has ever said a thing about my pup in any store). I work with inner city teens all the time, when they see my pups pics they think I am rich and paid a "million dollars" for them. Public perception, in general, is the same. btw, hes gorgeous!!! |
I agree but there are emergency situations that can arise when you have a dog in the car with you and you may have to leave it and I would prefer to have my dog sitting quietly in that inner city than barking and attracting attention. |
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Well, for instance, I was barely able to walk after a hip injury after total hip joint replacement and had to pick Tibbe up at the vet after my doctor's appointment. I was told to get myself home and get off the hip and in bed ASAP to keep the inflammation and swelling down and all the bad things that would happen if I didn't and what would happen if I restrained it under its present circumstances. I needed to stop by the 7-11 for some toilet paper(totally out) and had no choice but to park in front of the store, him safe in his little carrier quietly waiting, and get into the store and out again, all the while watching the truck for anyone stopping by it, prepared to yell "He's stealing my little dog!" at the top of my lungs to the shoppers in general as I crutched myself out the door! There was no way I could have gotten him home, climbed out of that truck to deliver him in his crate on those crutches, barely able to walk, managed to get back up into it with the crutches to drive to the store and out of it and back in again at the store and out of it at home once again - I was barely moving by the time I left the doctor's office, let alone by the time I left the vet's. Humans do get put into bad situations at times by circumstance and a dog that is secure and quiet to me has a better chance of incurring less danger than one that is barking and excited. A dog that has barked itself into excitement/frenzy often tries to get out of whatever seat or harness they are secured with. So Tibbe has been trained to be quiet and serene in the truck. In that "emergency"(at least to me it was) situation, though not ideal or to be repeated hopefully ever, I am glad he wasn't barking and fretting as I got my TP and we headed for home and me to bed! |
Yorkietalkjilly, Thanks Thank you for the advice Yorkietalkjilly, I will definitely try your advice and see how it works. I also had a hip replacement, it's been 15 years so the clock is ticking, so I understand what you mean. There are times when the lil' ones are with you and you have to make a quick stop but they can't go in. And with crutches - you're a superhero!. Take care of yourself, and thank you again. |
Oh, you're welcome. While it may never happen to most Yorkie owners, there are times in some owner's lives when you just didn't anticipate having to stop anywhere but for one reason or another, have to make an emergency stop. It rarely happens but having a dog as safe as possible and pre-trained to try to anticipate any emergency is the wisest course. Good luck with showing your baby leaving the car doesn't have to mean you will be gone forever. Gradually working up to leaving him will teach him not to grow nervous when you have to leave his side. |
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