The Dog Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Barking in the Car
We have a problem with our dog I hope you can help us with. Last January, we adopted her from our local animal shelter. She is a 6 - 7 year old English Foxhound that was a stray, so they had no information on her. Our problem is her barking while in the car.
We recently went on a five-hour road trip, and she barked almost the whole time. She always wants to go in the car, so it doesn’t appear to be fear. We stop fairly frequently to give her a drink and a chance to potty. We are really stumped by this behavior, and wonder what we can or should be doing. Any suggestions you might have will be appreciated.
From: Ed, via Email
Dear Ed,
Hounds are dogs who use their voices to express their built-in drive to recognize odors and scents, whether tracking or hunting in a pack, with people on foot or on horses. It may be the excitement of all she is seeing and smelling that has her working so hard. If it’s annoying to you, think how exhausting it is for her.
Read the section on fear of cars in THE DOG BIBLE, and apply this little-by-little technique to driving with her, in very small amounts, that increase only when her behavior conforms:
Have someone sit in the back with her. You will correct barking by a sharp little tug on a very short leash she must wear. You’ll say “No!” firmly and sharply when she barks -- and the moment she’s quiet, you give a great treat, so you correct the behavior you don’t want, and then reinforce the quiet.
Also, give her a good long walk so she’s tired before she ever gets in the car. This takes the edge off her hyperalertness.
Please let me know if you have success. If not, we’ll talk about other techniques.
Thanks for writing.
Tracie Hotchner
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE DOG BIBLE: Everything Your Dog Wants You To Know, and from DOG TALK® The Radio Show, broadcast live, Saturdays, from 11-12 noon EST, on your local NPR affiliate. All emails are answered personally and then posted, sometimes in abbreviated form.
