These words will perk up my ears anytime! I love riding in the car, even if it’s just to go on errands. I ride in the back of a small SUV or the back of a station wagon, both have a guard up to prevent me from jumping up front. I do get jealous of other dogs when I see their heads out the window, tongues flying, eyes watering. But I guess it’s not good for our eyes to be hanging out a window with all the forced air hitting our faces. Bummer.
I guess I love riding in the car so much because a ride has always got the potential of taking me for a swim or to play or a hike. And yeah, I know it can also take me to the vet, but that only happens once in awhile. I would rather be riding in the car with my peeps than hanging out at home alone. Dogs don’t like to be alone. DOGS DON’T LIKE TO BE ALONE. Emphatic enough?
I’ve always been a quiet rider – rarely have I barked in the car. But I have a friend who barks like he went mad and is shouting about where his marbles have gone. My advice for his humans: get someone else to drive your car while you train your dog to shut the bark up (written with love.) Just with any other training, it takes time, patience and treats, but your dog will GET it. If your dog is barking because of anxiety, you gotta start driving to only fun doggie places with him or her in the car. Your dog will associate pretty quickly: CAR=GOOD.
One note to all the pet owners with little dogs who ride on laps and look like they’re driving… While cute in a controlled environment, you are driving a two-ton piece of machinery. Do us all a favor and limit your dog to the passenger seat. Besides, it makes the rest of us dogs envious. We all secretly want to drive. Where do you think I’d drive first if I could? “Take me to the River, Drop me in the Water…”
Here endeth the doggie lesson – woof!
