Riding in the Car

[NewRescueMom]

Hello All:
I have had my rescue sine June 22nd. Thus far everything is wonderful. They estimate him to be about 2-2 1/2 years old. Anyway within the last 2 weeks he has really gotten awful about riding in the car. Very territorial I think. Barking and lunging but not consistently - he will take a break and lay down. Anyway I have tried the water bottle technique, leaving his lead on him and giving him a quick pop with the Leave It command to no avail! I know that it hasn't been all that long but next week we start our training and that ride is 40 minutes away! UGH - I also want to go to Rott Stock in NY but don't know if my ears can take it LOL! Anyway he really zonks himself out and gets al worked up when doing this - he doesn't really bark at any one thing.
Any other suggestions or advice? Should I get a safety belt/harness and strap him in so he is not able to move around?

[RottiMomCT]

Is there any way to crate him while going for a ride? I am unable to crate my dog and luckily he loves to go for rides and is quite well behaved while going for a ride, until he see's someone on a bicycle riding towards the car, then he can be quite the numbskull, and scare that crap out of me, and the bicyclist! Needless to say, I give him a 'Leave It!' and get his attention if possible and then huge praise and a small treat when he doesn't bark - only watches the person go by.

A crate might help with the issue of going bonkers in the car, but if unable to crate him, a seatbelt might help. Is he barking only while you are stopped at a light, or is it while in the car in general?

Hope you get results! Would love to meet you @ RottStock in NY - I think we all shold wear name tags with our Rott.net names on them so we all know who the other people are!!

[NewRescueMom]

Thanks Ann...
Hmm I use our Honda to take him to and from the park and vet but if need be I will have to try the crate in the back of my Tahoe. Its odd he does not necessarily bark at bicyclists, joggers or people mowing lawns just out of the blue will go a bit bonkers then lay down and mind his own business.. I tried last nite using lots of praise and treats and I think I need to keep at this for quite some time! Thanks.. I really want to go to Rott Stock in NY on August 4th but know with that bark I don't think my ears could take that for an hour and a half drive! LOL