Agessive Behavior when in Car

[tamaqueen]

Caesar and Athena are both gentle and friendly dogs, however, Athena who was never agressive or mean with other dogs goes nuts barking and jumping up and down at the car windows when we pass people walking their dogs...she acts like a killer and then Ceasar starts acting the same. When I holler they ignore me but when my husband hollers they stop, unfortunately he is not always with me. It is disturbing and people must think these dogs are mean and violent when they see them carry on like this.
Any advice why she acts like this in the car??.....she was never really in a fight and gets along well with my daughters dog Nittany.

 

[Krikkit]

Pat, I think Athena is related to Layla We have three cars and Layla will only do this in one of them and I have never been able to figure out why. Like you, if my husband is in the car it is okay because I can distract her before she starts but if I am alone then the dog from hell arrives! Layla does this simply because she can and gets a nice buzz from this behavior and it is very self rewarding to her - dogs soon figure out what works and is 'fun' :rolleyes: Layla will not do it if she is in the crate in this car but sometimes I can not put the crate in it if I have the four Boxers with me. So I guess my only suggestion is to crate her in the car if it is possible and see if it makes a difference. She probably pays attention to your husband shouting as he has a big tough 'boss' dog voice and you have a gentler voice so Anthena probably thinks that you are barking along with her. Sorry I'm not much help but just wanted to let you know that you were not the only one with a Boxer who does this

Sharon

 

[alaska]

my dogs also react similar when in cars, my younger one will actually hit the windows trying to attack strangers, I'm afraid he will break one. my older dog reacts when he see's another animal, so If I see it first I tell him NO! and he stays seated as we pass the distraction. while he cranes his neck all the way around to watch us pass it.

 

[tamaqueen]

Car behavior

While riding our dogs only react to other dogs, not people, they do jump and bark against the window, I usually can simmer the one sitting up front down as he is within reach, but the female who really instigated the problem which the male then follows, sits in the very rear seat of our minivan and says "ha, ha you can not get me from the driver's seat.' Otherwise she is the friendliest, sweetest dog you could find and hates to get hollered at except in the car when she sees other animals. I guess if this is their worst behavior, I can put up with it. Otherwise they are angels.:D