When first introduced to car riding, some dogs get sick. Luckily, most get over it and love to go for car rides.
The first signs of car sickness are yawning, then excessive drooling, sometimes followed by vomiting. For a dog that is exhibiting these symptoms, open a window a crack to get some fresh air in the car. Along with getting fresh air, it is important that the dog be able to see out of the window. Arrange a spot in the car, perhaps the rear window ledge or a box, that the dog can get up onto and see the road ahead. For severe cases and for long trips you may want to try motion sickness medication.
Conditioning is the best method to prepare your dog for riding in the car. This is done over several weeks and it involves you, your dog, your car, and the use of lavish praise. For a few minutes several times a day for three days in a row set up the following schedule. First, just sit in the car with your dog and give him lots of praise for not showing any symptoms of sickness. Then, start and run the engine for the next three days and continue with the praise. Next, start the engine and back the car out of the driveway and drive back in. Never mind what the neighbors will be thinking! Continue praise for showing no symptoms. Finally, drive around the block, then go half a mile, then two miles. Keep this up until your dog is able to ride several miles without getting sick!
Teach your dog a verbal signal such as "OKAY" for getting in the car. Use the same signal for getting out. In other words, do not let your dog get into or out of the car without your okay. This will teach him not to get into strangers' cars, and it will keep him from jumping out of your car into traffic.
If your dog is jumping around inside your car, try putting him in a crate (a small cage). After he appears to have settled down, you can open the door of the crate and offer him some freedom so long as he behaves.
Whining and running around can often be a symptom of impending sickness, excitement, or anxiety. If you determine car-sickness, follow the procedure above. If the whining is simply a bad habit, work on training him to stop. When he whines, say, "NO Whine!" When he stops follow this with "Good Dog!" For some dogs, you may have to try some aversion therapy by squirting lime juice from a plastic squeeze lime into his mouth immediately during the whine. Follow this with "NO Whine!" and praise when he stops. The best way to accomplish this training is do it in small steps following the routine outlined above for conditioning.