Hi, have a 9 month old female doberman who is generally very good BUT in the car driving through towns and villages it is non stop barking at people, bikes etc. Didn't start this until 6-7 months old. She is in a cage in the back of the car and can see people through the tinted windows and she is driving us mad. Motorways are great - no people!! Have tried the per corrector spray, water spray and even ignoring her but to no avail. She does it indoors if people pass or come to the door as well. Someone please help. There must be an answer.

Have you tried blocking the windows off in the car, putting up a black sheet of some sort so she can't see anything. If she's quiet, you pull back the cover so she can see, one bark and you put it straight back up. Ideally you'd need two people in the car to do this

__________________

I sorted that with my dog by using a soft muzzle.

__________________


MY FAMILY

Caramel (ginger girl) Harry (oldest son) Nick (Youngest son)

Is your car big enough to put in a dog crate and cover it in? That would be a solution, but seing as big dog big crate it may be a tall order. You can get the black mesh stick on blinds,they may help. Using things like pet correctors can make the problem worse. It doesnt seem to be a problem with the actual car itself if she seem ok on the motorway and anywhere there is lack of people. It seems just the stimulation of people for some reason she barks at.
personally I wouldnt use a cloth muzzle as someone has suggested, it will stop the barking because quite simply they cant bark. However, they also cant pant and as the only way a dog can cool itsellf is by panting they could easily overheat as they do tend to get hot on car journeys. Cloth muzzles also make it harder to breath in general as they cant get enough air. I think the quaickest and easiet solution is to block her vision from the stimulus.

__________________

Cover the create so she can't see out.

__________________
Jack - Black Labrador
Nalsy & Ponch - Purebred bedwarming moggies

Had the same problem with Flynn and the only way I stopped him was to restrain him. His car harness is attached to the back of the seat and I now use a halti to control his head in the car. I attach it to the head rest on the front seat so as he can move his head but not all the way round, otherwise he used to go banana's at bikes and passing dogs. The looks you get are awful as he sounds so viscious!

He is now very calm as he knows he can't "go off on one"!
Other than that a crate is a good idea but I can't fit one in my Corsa - can only just fit Flynn in the back!

__________________

Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

What about teaching the leave command? Start with using treats and teach her to leave them, then reward her when she leaves them. Then progress onto objects, like toys, bowls, tissue box, crisp packet anything. Then progress onto people. Start on walks first. When she looks at a person, say leave and reward when she looks away from the person. Then progress onto the car. Someone will have to sit near her to do this and when you see a person coming, say leave and then reward her when she looks away from the person. To make this work you need to spot the person before she does.

Good Luck!!

__________________
I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

I agree with Seven pets but I couldn't do any of the treat thing as i'm always alone in the car with Flynn and taking him out every day there's no way I can have the luxury of company!

__________________

Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

She is fine walking, when she meets people she never barks. Maybe tries to jump up but not barking, its only in the car where there is a problem. I think its because shes in the back in the cage on her own. We can't have her in the actual car with us as she is known to chew things. I think its one of these seperation anxiety things.

I was amazed when I was outside my car talking to the hydrotherapist and a dog went by that Flynn did not react at all - which makes me wonder if I pre empt him going off when i'm in there with him and he reacts likewise!

__________________

Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"