| New surroundings, other dogs, strangers in the | | | | destination was not a happy one. These problems |
| house, physical restraint, isolation, and loud noises can | | | | can be corrected easily in the puppy stage, but the |
| cause serious stress for dogs. These stresses cause | | | | behavior can also be changed in a more mature dog. |
| dogs to exhibit two extremes of social behavior: | | | | Bring the dog into the car, but don't go anywhere. |
| excitability or inhibition. Excitable dogs may bark | | | | Simply pat the dog, let him explore, and give him a |
| excessively, exhibit hyperactive behavior, and chew | | | | treat. Repeat this several times and then take short |
| constantly. Inhibited dogs may become nearly | | | | trips, as short as the end of the driveway, and give |
| catatonic exhibiting slow stiff movements, | | | | the dog a reward. Continue increasing the distance |
| depression, and lack of response to environmental | | | | until the dog is routinely calm in the car. It shouldn't |
| stimulation. These behaviors seem to express | | | | take too long. Make sure that the majority of future |
| themselves mostly at night when the family is | | | | car trips give the dog a positive memory. |
| sleeping, or during times when the dogs are left | | | | There are situations where behavior cannot be |
| isolated for a long time. | | | | change through simple retraining and reconditioning. |
| Hormones are known to effect both physical and | | | | Some dogs suffer from a hormonal imbalance that |
| emotional changes in humans and animals. Like | | | | directly affects their behavior. Veterinarians can |
| humans, hormonal balance varies from dog to dog. | | | | prescribe certain drugs to mitigate symptoms such as |
| This balance can also change in any given dog during | | | | hyperactivity and depression. Dog owners can also |
| its lifetime. Neuro-chemicals in the brain are now | | | | help mitigate certain stress related behaviors by |
| recognized as the most probable factor that | | | | feeding their dog certain herbs and drugs. Some |
| determines whether a dog's behavior will tend toward | | | | owners have had success by feeding their dog foods |
| excited or inhibited activity. For example, a mother | | | | containing wheat, which seems to help induce |
| dog can respond to isolation by turning inward | | | | calmness. Warm milk is also known to reduce stress, |
| exhibiting introverted behavior such as self-mutilation. | | | | as with people. A natural herb called kava may also |
| One of her offspring, on the other hand, while | | | | help. Add a few drops into your dog's water bowl. It |
| experiencing the same isolation can become | | | | is a natural relaxant. |
| extremely excitable and hyperactive. | | | | It comes down to observing your dog's behavior and |
| Some dogs that usually exhibit a normal happy | | | | determining, with the help of a veterinarian if |
| disposition become extremely hyperactive when they | | | | necessary, whether training will help to solve the |
| are taken for a ride in the car. The cars motion or | | | | problem, or if medications should be used to |
| remembrance of rewards given at the previous | | | | supplement the training. Either way, it is possible to |
| destination can cause a sharp change in the dog's | | | | change your dog's routine and environment to |
| behavior. Other dogs, given the same conditions | | | | ameliorate the dog's over-excited or inhibitive |
| become inhibited and frightened when taken for a | | | | behavior. |
| drive. Perhaps their experience at the previous | | | | |