Riding

Question
Ok, question about my poodle. Actually two questions....

#1...My poodle hates to go for rides. When my husband and I go down to the store or something, my dog will get all excited and we'll take him with us. He whines constantly. But if you ask him if he wants to go, he freaks out because he is so excited. If you open a car door around him, he jumps right on in and won't get out. You have to go in and get him out. Even if you aren't going anywhere. I think he would be happy if "bye byes" was sitting in the car and not going anywhere. What's up with this and is there anything I can do to get him to like riding?

#2....When we do take him somewhere and my husband or I get out...(one of us is always with him)...we yelps and whines until we get back in. Like if we stop to get gas, my husband will get out and go inside. As soon as hubby gets out the dog will start yelping and running from seat to seat looking for him. His yelping and whing is ear piercing. My husband says the same thing happens if it is me who goes into the store. He stops as soon as we are in view again. Why does he do this?

Thanks

Angie

Answer
I am not sure there is a good answer to that.  It does sound like your pack structure needs work.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  More good techniques, http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm