Hope this is OK. I have a 1 year old chocolate lab. He gets excitement shits when he goes in a vehicle. Obviously this is very unpleasant for all involved. We've changed his diet, had him at the vet etc. He's otherwise healthy. Any advice very welcome! I want to take my boy to the lake this summer!!!
Is it definitely excitement rather that being nervous? If it is excitement, then I would wait until he's had a poo on his walk, then pop him in the car for 5 mins a few times a day. After a few days, drive to the end of the road and back a few times a day etc so it becomes something normal/boring.
I agree with 5labs except I would be inclined to take a more cautious approach. I think 5 minutes is too long at the beginning. The longer the dog is in the car the more likely the dog will be aroused. I would be inclined to limit it to 15 seconds. Repeat maybe 3 or 4 times over 4 training sessions. Then increase by say 15 seconds for each set of 3 or 4 repetitions. Rinse and repeat. If you see your dog is getting too excited, then reduce the duration to the previous step. When you get to 5 minutes, then you can turn the motor on or just shut the door, whichever results in the lesser arousal. Then rinse and repeat. After 5 successful repetitions, then you can drive 10 metres and so on and so on. I realise that under my alternative plan progress proceeds at a snail pace. But I believe you have to get the dog's level of arousal down and slow and steady---boring--is more likely to do that. Since one is proceeding in small increments, then one also has a better idea of observing the dog and determining what is triggering the dog's excitement. Let us know how you get on.
