My dog whines in car. Help!?

[Jordan]

I know my dog has separation anxiety...

when we aren't driving my dog will sit still, not really move and not whine; but when we move, he starts to whine.

I don't yell at him for it. I am calm and tell him to sit. He'll then sit. And then sometimes he will whine and something he won't, but most of the times he does. Everyone else in the car with us, yells at him for it...

And it seems like everytime we stop the car, he'll stop whining.



Is this something he should get punished for? Is he having anxiety? What should I do?
I forgot this...

When we go on roadtrips.. we take our dogs along. Many times my dog will get restless and lie down and sleep. It's when he is awake he whines. We do give him a bone; but to me that is like reinforcing his behavior.

I always get angry when other people yell at him for it...
haha. I know what sepration anxiety is...

We do bring a crate along with us on roadtrips; but he isn't used to being in there - and then whines and then everyone gets mad again. I just tell them to ignore it too. No use.

We change vehicles alot, so we aren't always in the same ones..

 

[Due 3/7/2010]

No you really shouldn't punish the dog for this that will only make it worse. He probably is really scared when in the car. My shih tzu hates being in the car and she just sits there and doesn't move an inch and just shakes really bad. Maybe try give him a treat when the car is moving and tell him good boy to show it that everything is ok.

 

[peppersham]

NO,yelling at the dog will not help.He can't stand the motion.I have 3 dogs I take on trips,one always whines,she gets motion sickness or something.When we stop you do have to let her out right then.Some dogs ride well and others do not,nothing really you can do but try and make his trip pleasant as you can.