How to Train Your Dog to Not Whine in the Car

Hello, For potty training, check out this article and the Crate Training method or Exercise Pen method. Those methods can be used with a doggie litter box, disposable real grass pad, or pee pads. Since pup is going next to the pad instead of on it, I would start the exercise pen method by covering the entire floor of the pen with pee pads or disposable real grass pads (may puppies do best with the grass pads out of all indoor potties and they transition to outside potty training easier when needed). https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy I recommend desensitizing pup to the car and slowing the overall process down. Start by simply feeding beside the car while its off, then feeding treats along the runner with the door open, then inside the car with it still. For at least a couple of weeks practice the Down Stay command on the middle seats' floorboard or seats (if a row seat). Gradually move to practicing with the car in the driveway but still while on - don't turn on in the garage for gas breathing reasons. When pup is completely relaxed in the car and can do a solid down-stay, recruit a second person to drive or train, so the driver can only focus on driving. Have the person training enforce Down, while the driver simply pulls out of the driveway and back in When pup can stay relaxed during that (which will require a lot of repetition before pup relaxes then too - once pup sees that the driving is boring through repetition), then drive down the block and back. Gradually increase the distance and level of excitement as pup improves, only moving onto further distances or more exciting locations once pup can stay relaxed at the current level of training. I would also crate train pup and pup ride in a crate while little. Tether the crate to the seat or something secure though so pup's crate can't slide around. Another option is also to use a seatbelt harness but instead of tethering pup to the seat, tether pup to something secure on the floorboard of one of the middle or front passenger seats, as long as its away from airbags. From the floorboard pup doesn't fell like they are sliding as much, can often still see you, and can lay down more easily. There is going to be crying, don't give in and pick pup up, let them practice riding without being held, do the above car desensitization, and practice the concepts from the surprise method I have linked in the article below. Pup needs a chance to see that they can calm themselves and relax in the car. Most puppies cry terribly at first, just like the crate. Being somewhere low and not in the very very back of the vehicle can help prevent motion sickness, desensitizing pup to the car while it's turned off can also help. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Since pup was taken from litter mates a bit early due to the breeder, it will be especially important to join puppy play groups or classes with off-leash puppy play times. Pup may not be old enough to enroll quite yet but go ahead and find one because I would start as early as possible. If you have any friends with puppies too, get together with them and let the puppies practice learning how to control their mouths through play that you moderate and facilitate breaks for pups as needed. Check out the article linked below. Starting today, use the "Bite Inhibition" method. BUT at the same time, begin teaching "Leave It" from the "Leave It" method. As soon as pup is good as the Leave It game, start telling pup to "Leave It" when she attempts to bite or is tempted to bite. Reward pup if she makes a good choice. If she disobeys your leave it command, use the Out command from the second article linked below to make her leave the area as a consequence. The order or all of this is very important - the Bite Inhibition method can be used for the next couple of weeks while pup is learning leave it, but leave it will teach pup to stop the biting entirely. The Out method teaches pup that you mean what you say without being overly harsh - but because you have taught pup to leave it first, pup clearly understands that you are not just playing (which is what pup probably thinks most of the time right now), so it is more effective. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the area, is also a good command. Check out the section on Using Out to Deal with Pushy Behavior for how to calmly enforce that command once it's taught. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Another important part of this is puppy learning bite inhibition. Puppies have to learn while young how to control the pressure of their mouths - this is typically done through play with other puppies. You are looking for puppies under 6 months of age - since young puppies play differently than adult dogs. Some pet stores with trainers offer free or cheap play groups too. Some areas will conduct outside classes too if being inside is a concern. Moderate the puppies' play and whenever one pup seems overwhelmed or they are all getting too excited, interrupt their play, let everyone calm down, then let the most timid pup go first to see if they still want to play - if they do, then you can let the other puppies go too when they are waiting for permission. Finding a good puppy class - no class will be ideal but here's what to shoot for: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/puppy-classes-when-to-start/ When pup gets especially wound up, she probably needs a nap too. At this age puppies will sometimes get really hyper when they are overtired or haven't had any mental stimulation through something like training. When you spot that and think pup could be tired, place pup in their crate or an exercise pen with a food stuffed Kong for a bit to help her calm down and rest. Practicing regular obedience commands or having pup earn what they get by performing commands like Sit and Down before feeding, petting, tossing a toy, opening the door for a walk, ect... can also help stimulate pup mentally to increase calmness and wear them out. Commands that practice focus, self-control, and learning something a bit new or harder than before can all tire out puppies. Know that mouthiness at this age is completely normal. It's not fun but it is normal for it to take some time for a puppy to learn self-control well enough to stop. Try not to get discouraged if you don't see instant progress, any progress and moving in the right direction in this area is good, so keep working at it. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 5, 2022

Hello Dee, I recommend desensitizing pup to the car and slowing the overall process down. Start by simply feeding beside the car while its off, then feeding treats along the runner with the door open, then inside the car with it still. For at least a couple of weeks practice the Down Stay command on the middle seats' floorboard or seats (if a row seat). Gradually move to practicing with the car in the driveway but still while on - don't turn on in the garage for gas breathing reasons. When pup is completely relaxed in the car and can do a solid down-stay, recruit a second person to drive or train, so the driver can only focus on driving. Have the person training enforce Down, while the driver simply pulls out of the driveway and back in When pup can stay relaxed during that (which will require a lot of repetition before pup relaxes then too - once pup sees that the driving is boring through repetition), then drive down the block and back. Gradually increase the distance and level of excitement as pup improves, only moving onto further distances or more exciting locations once pup can stay relaxed at the current level of training. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Jan. 7, 2022