I have a 4yr old German Shephard,Wyatt who loves to go with us every where and is usually a good traveler, but.... when we're in the car around town he will bark at dogs and people on the street,even cars if there close enough, any good tips on correcting this behavior ? we're tried most the standard ones. our eardrums are going quick
Have you tried having a leash on him in the car with which you can correct him (as you might on a walk)? My dog initially wanted to be in the front seat with us, very persisitent, but we found putting her on a short leash with a harness and attaching it to the back head rests worked very well, and now she's free in the car and doesn't come into the front at all. The only exception is when we leave her in there to go into a shop or something briefly...and then the entire car is hers!
I would encourage you, and any other family members, to read the bonus book "Secrets to becoming the Alpha Dog". This book will give you a good understanding of the hierarchical nature and behavior of your dog. Follow the tips in this book as much as possible and you should get good results within a couple of weeks.
If you treat your dog as an equal it may well see it as an opportunity to challenge your position. For example, be aware that allowing your dog onto the couch, bed, etc will give it the leeway that it needs to be able to challenge your position as the alpha dog in the relationship. This behavior change may occur quite gradually, without you even noticing it, until your dog starts showing aggressive tendencies when you try to move it!
Here are some ways to reinforce your position- 1) If you come across your dog while he is sleeping or lying on the floor then you can reinforce your position as alpha dog by making him move so that you can pass by.
2) Make sure that you always go through doorways first. A good method to reinforce your position as alpha dog is to walk your dog around the house on the leash, making your dog wait while you walk through doorways first.
3) At mealtimes make sure that your dog or dogs eat after all of the humans have.
4) Do not feed your dog tidbits or let it pester you at the table. Save the morsels and tidbits for training sessions instead.
5) Do not greet your dog straightaway when you arrive home. Make it wait until you are ready and then call it to you.
6) Whenever your dogs want attention or anything wait till they are sitting and being well behaved.
7) When you give a command make sure that you are in a position to enforce the action that you require from your dog, especially in the initial stages of Alpha Dog training. Also, use the Alarm-No-Command technique as described in the Alpha Dog bonus book to reprimand your dog if it does not obey your command.
Generally I do not recommend people give their dogs bones as this encourages the aggression, because in the wild the alpha dog would be the only one to have the privilege of chewing the bones.
The next big thing is obedience. Work with your dog twice a day for 10 minutes on sit, stay and come.
As Blue said a leash in the car is a great idea. When your dog barks reprimand him.Use a loud GRRRRRRRRRRR or AHHHHHHHHHHHH and follow with a sit command. If he sits praise him with attention and petting. Be sure to stay on the road.
You may want to try just sitting in the car when it is not moving and try this. With a mixed reprimand and reward method i am sure you will have some success. Please let me know how things are going.
Thanks to you both, he does seem to be getting better, but we have to stay on him , we travel quite a bit, and he's fine once we get on the highway but in stop and go traffic he can be an idiot, yet he's wonderful in hotels, and a good boat dog too! I just need to keep at it, you and Blue always give good advice. Thanks again, I'll keep ya posted on our progress Stephanie & Wyatt
