Bodhi: 5 steps forward 4 back-- car training

[Beckysmom]

Bodhi has been sent back to the original class he was kicked out of. (The teacher decided that the problem had been his eye hurting when she held his face.) Actually, I am supposed to go without him since though he hasn't shown more growliness he can't wear the head halter till his eye is operated and healed, and he is too hard to control on her nice rubber traction floors without it. Also, while his chasing cars is getting to be less of a problem, he is developing major travel problem to wit:

1)huge problems with Bodhi trying to sit in front seat during car trips. I have a coupe (2-door) style car.

--have tried a metal barrier between back and front that has a suction cup up by headliner and screw out legs to tighten against floor: he just shoves the barrier down and climbs over it

Doggy "seatbelt" harness: chewed through it.

Doggy "quickstay": (1) tangled his leg in it. (2) managed to climb into front seat anyway.

Combo of above methods: Knocked the metal barrier forward so that I had to stop car even though he was still in back.

2) Additionally he gets hyper excited every time he sees any large bird, deer, cow, horse, sheep and now also as he recognizes that he is getting near to the dog park which he loves, and barks and tries to exit the car through its closed windows (thus far unsuccessfully).

I am starting to think that he gets one last round trip to vet for surgery on eye and neutering and then can be an at home only dog--unless I ever get an SUV or stationwagon or some car where he can be kept far far from driver.

This is not an ideal situation though, since I'd like to be able to take him places including obedience classes, and of course, he will need to go to vet more than just the once etc.

I would not mind him in passenger seat terribly (which is where he wants to be)--but he is very big and getting bigger, and tends to cover the gear shift area in addition to the seat.--also I'm concerned that if he sees a sheep out my window he will try to climb out the driver side window.

i can sit in stationary car and he will do a down stay in the back seat--but he breaks it if anything interesting happens and I am driving--and if I am driving I can't focus on him and what he is doing, or get him back into a down stay until I find safe place to get off road etc.

Has anyone dealt with such a problem successfully? And if so, how?

[KatMc]

Kate,

It sounds like you have your hands full and I don't envy you at all. My Sooner HATES to travel, if I put him in the backseat he immediately jumps to the front, if I manage to get him in the passenger seat then for 10 mins it's fight time, he still winds up sitting on the window controls and mirror adjuster. Needless to say he only goes when he has to anymore.

Maybe you can try benadryl on him? Just a thought.

You've done an awful lot of good for him, so just keep trying.

good luck,
Kathy

[Carina43]

Hi Kate...I remember your last situation when he was kicked out of class, it DOES sound like you have your hands full! Are there other training places you can take him...perhaps someone else can give you some different methods or ideas? I would definitely suggest that...

Anyhow Dutch (a big naughty rescue who has definitely been learning manners!) does the same thing. My primary dog vehicle is an extra cab pickup truck & a dog fits comfortably and safely behind the seats. But Dutch wants to be in the front seat, in my lap, on top of the gear shift, etc...not ideal for driving! At first I used a short sturdy leash to restrain him - he could sit up or lie down, but not move forward (you could use chain if he chews). He's since "graduated" to no restraint, but I keep the passenger seat flipped forward so he can't climb in, and he's learning what "IN THE BACK!" means.

I was going to try using a rope netting barrier at one point...perhaps that would be worth a try. Bodhi couldn't knock it down, and if it's somewhat taut the worst he could do is get tangled.

Dutch also initially wanted to lunge at passing cars, in fact he bit a couple of holes in the passenger door in frustration! He's stopped that...I've been taking him on regular walks along the road wearing a pinch collar & he's finally realising that he gets no reward at all for trying to chase cars...I think learning manners and general training has kind of a wholistic effect on behaviour sometimes.

I've heard a lot about "Rescue Remedy" as being some sort of calming herbal potion being effective...I don't know anything at all about it but perhaps it's worth looking into.

Or you could just stuff him in the trunk for necessary trips...:D
(Just kidding, just kidding!)

[Judi W]

Try to find a buddy to ride in the back seat with the dog with a collar and lead for corrections and have regular car training sessions. Cookies for when he is being good, leash corrections to let him know when he is out of line. I would also think that a very short teather from a buckle collar would keep him in the back. If he learns manners, he could ride shotgun.