Henry was fine in the car until he was about 5 months-old. He started barking one day on the way to the park where he has his long, off-leash walk. He didn't bark on the way home, so I thought it was a one-off. Nope. Every morning he barks all the way to the park, not a peep on the way home.
Thinking this was a learned behaviour, that he somehow thinks he NEEDS to bark to get to the park, or was just over-excited, I've tried different things, but with no success. I have:
- changed our routine so we go a bit later or earlier
- played with him and did some mental training before we went out
- covered his crate in the car with a blanket
- given him his favourite toy
- driven in a circle so we just end up back home again
- taken him in the car to other places, and on trips where he doesn't get out of the car, like when I'm picking up one of the kids.
- Ignoring the barking but praising him in the odd moments he is quiet.
Nothing has helped. And now he has started barking in the car at other times as well, although rarely on the way home from the park when he's tired. I am careful to never let him get out of the car while he is still barking. Does any one have a tired-and-true method to help with this? I don't mind how long it takes, if something works I'll stick with it until it does. I do find the barking very distracting when driving.
