Oskar goes crazy & I need help :)

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Oskar is 9 months old & I had to start using a restraint on him in the car this month.  He decided he liked the front seat, next to me, or would jump to the front seat when the door opened.  He jumped out of the car once & went flying around a parking lot.

So, for his own protection, he now wears a harness in the car.   Along with that, he is clipped to a 'dog seat belt' which goes into the seat belt receptacle.  This way, I know he won't go running into traffic when the door opens.  I tried a barrier between the front & back seats & that didn't work, except he loved chomping on & breaking the buckle :)

He goes insane when my grandkids or new adults enter my house or get in or out of the car.  At times like these, he responds to nothing...it's like he's out of his mind, crazy.  This is all because he's happy, excited, exuberant...he spins, he jumps, he wiggles, he loses any sense he may have :)  

Any suggestions?  

[Ginny Nightingale]

The harness in the car is for YOUR protection too--if you had an accident, he could go flying into you.

Yes, i agree with Sandy-=obedience classes are needed--it may be quite a while before he is a calm dog, but you need some better tools to deal with his excitability.  If he is food motivated, give him his favorite treat when someone comes in and he sits by you--force him to stay there with a leash and a collar, but give him treats while you do--eventually, he will come sit next to you for the treats when someone comes in the door! If you have a friend that will help you practice, that would be good.

[Kate C Pappas]

Good for you on harnessing and tethering your Doodle; you should. They can fly through a windshield just like a human. My girls have never ridden in the car unrestrained. 1 1/2 years ago I totalled my huge Escalade with 2 year old Yindi harnessed in the back. The police couldn't believe it as they'd never seen a dog restrained. They had to cut us out of the car! We were both fine. Whew.

If he's doing what you say when visitors arrive, it seems like that is very stressful. Perhaps crating him, keeping him on leash when he comes out to greet visitors would be a good idea. 9 months is young still and he needs to learn his manners. They're so smart, so they can do it with effort from their humans. Good luck. :)

[Adina P]

Obedience training.  Not just one class...but until you have taught him how to respond when exciting things are around him.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Only thing I see curbing his enthusiasm is a romp with Boomer and Milo.   LOL!  I'm meeting another DK'er at Three Forks tomorrow at 2pm.  Can Baker and Oskar come too??  

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

training for both you and your doodle.  I have a goldendoodle that I have been through lots of training with and it shows...... for the most part.  I also have a wild 14 month old doodle that I should have started in training much earlier then I have.  He is very excited about EVERYTHING!  Yes, it takes time and effort on your part and everyone in your household's part to maintain consistency with his training but it will pay off in the long run.  Please look into it.  You want your dog to be the best dog possible!!

[Kyoko]

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/mor...

I was thinking about Jane's "Power of doing nothing"...May be you can train him when other people are not with you that car door will not open unless he is calm... ( Along with harness and seat belt.) Or if he is really unsafe for himself and the driver by moving around, he may need to be crated in the car. I transport doodles for doodle rescue, but I always carry the crates with me when I go pick up the dogs, since I dont know how they ride in the car.... it's for safety for both of us.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

While restraints will keep him safe while you are in the car, I do think that the dog should never be allowed to exit the car unless he's sitting or lying calmly while you attach the leash.  My dogs are not always restrained, but they are in down/stays in the car unless I release them.  They know when I open the back door they must sit and be calm while I attach the leash or they won't be allowed out.  Then when they do jump out we stop and wait for a few minutes again before moving forward....because just getting out creates some excitement.  The excitement with people coming into the house is a whole different matter.  This will only be solved with a training program.  You may want to start a discussion in the Training Group and perhaps we may be able to offer some suggestions.

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Thanks everyone for your advice & tips...he has been to some training & I will now sign up for more !