How to stop a dog barking in the car while driving?
Wilson Schoen
2025-06-26 06:27:48
Count answers: 8
I have a 5 year old GSD called Hogan, and whilst he is mostly a delight I'm starting to have issues with barking in the car.
Well it's me with the issue, from puppyhood to now the barking never really bothered me.
I now have a significant other though who would like to take in the car to enjoy our walks in the woods.
I have never been successful with quiet command as the only time he barks is when we are driving or when he sees a cat.
I did try slowing the car to a crawl as he barks but this only had limited success as it's often not safe to do.
Koby Cassin
2025-06-26 05:19:26
Count answers: 5
To help your dog become more comfortable on the road, you will need to create more positive associations with the car. Pair the car with something your dog loves, such as a favorite treat or toy. Start with short drives around the neighborhood and then back home, so your pup can start to predict where he is going and that he is always coming home. If your dog has a favorite location, such as a local park, take a few trips just to the park and home. The main goal is to get your dog looking forward to riding in the car, instead of fearing it.
Use one of Kurgo’s car restraints, such as a crash-tested car safety harness, a car restraint, or a dog car seat, to keep your furry friend tethered to the seat. Distract them with an interactive toy. Teach your dog a reliable “wait” command so she learns to sit still when you get to your location instead of bolting out of the car as soon as the door opens. It’s also important to ignore your dog’s barking while in the car, as you don’t want to reinforce the behavior by touching or talking to her.
Find an environment where you can expect to see the stimuli, stop the car and get in the back seat with your dog, and every time your dog sees the stimuli, feed her a favorite treat, to create a more positive association with the stimuli. She’s also learning to look at you every time she sees it, and the goal of this drill is to teach your dog that if she looks at you when she sees the stimuli, good things will happen.
Antonette Roob
2025-06-26 05:12:18
Count answers: 9
It starts with knowing why a dog is barking in the first place. It could be fear, excitement, anticipation, or maybe the dog is triggered by what they see out the car window. Sometimes limiting your dog’s view out the windows can eliminate barking. You need to counter condition and desensitize your dog first. Why to reinforce your dog for being quiet when in the car and ways you can set that up. The strategy of stopping the car when your dog is barking in anticipation. How to help a dog who gets overexcited about car trips and going places in the car.
Erin Block
2025-06-26 04:46:44
Count answers: 8
You’ll first need to identify why he barks, then you can set about remedying it. You’ll have to take a number of measures to keep him calm and subdued in the car. You’ll also need to use obedience commands to teach him to be quiet. If he’s a puppy, his brain should be malleable and you can expect results in as little as a week. If he’s older and had this noisy habit for many years then you may need up to three weeks to fully kick the habit.
Treats or his favorite food will be essential. You’ll also need some toys and possibly some food puzzles. These will help keep him distracted when he’s in the car.
Find 10 minutes a day you can set aside for training, when you won’t be distracted by a noisy household. Training your dog not to bark in the car is relatively straightforward. Training him to be quiet will mean you can drive safely.
Franco Gleason
2025-06-26 04:08:45
Count answers: 11
One reason Ava may be barking is because she feels the cars are a threat. When she is barking, she may be feeling stressed and unsure — but as you’ve unfortunately found, we don't want to inadvertently make that worse. Instead, we want to comfort and reassure her as much as possible, ideally by having someone she trusts sitting in the back seats with her. It sounds like you’ve tried to block the view, but it could help to use fitted screens on the side windows to block views of cars, and a fitted screen between the back and front seats, totally blocking the view so she can’t see out the front window. Masking the sound of cars driving by with music may also help. It's also a good idea to have Ava checked by your vet to make sure there are no underlying medical conditions that could be causing or worsening this behaviour. It is important not to punish any barking such as spraying her with water as you mentioned.
Read also
- How to calm a dog during a car ride?
- How to get a dog to stop barking at cars?
- Why does my dog bark while riding in the car?
- How to stop dog anxiety whining?
- Why does my dog freak out in the car?
- What is the best anxiety medication for dogs for car rides?
- How to stop a dog from reacting to cars?
- Why does my dog lunge and bark at cars?
- Why do dogs hate car rides?