Hi Jeff
It's very hard to comment without actually seeing the wider picture - the dog in action and the way you handle him.
Brief advice - might help:
You must establish leadership and some basic dog training skills. Dogs must always be treated as the lowest member of the household. You must be pack leader. Feed yourself and the rest of the family first, don't allow him to barge through doors before the family, don't allow him to run upstairs before you. Keep him off the furniture. I could go on and on.
I know it will be hard, but when the dog starts getting excited, try not to react to it, try to remain calm, try to ignore it. Try not to bend over towards the dog as that is a 'play' gesture. Always ask the dog to sit before putting the lead on. You could try getting the lead out at home and putting it on the dog (without any intention of actually taking him out) and just ignore the dog when he gets hyper. Remove the lead, ignore the dog again, put the lead back on. Do this probably 15 times a day until the dog loses interest. When you do put the lead on to take the dog out or into the car, do it quickly and quietly, no fuss. Walk the dog to the car, go back inside, walk the dog to the car, go back inside.... etc. Walk up the road, arrive home, put dog in the car, sit in the car for 3 mins, get yourself and the dog out, go back into the house. Keep him guessing.
Regarding travelling - have you thought about buying a seatbelt harness? They are excellent, it will restrain him from being able to jump about the car. Also, from a safety point of view, should you be involved in an accident, (heaven forbid), you won't have the dog being shunted around the car and causing serious injury to passengers and itself. Or, how about a dog crate? Could you fit one in the boot of the car? Dogs feel safe in 'dens' such as dog crates, you could use it at home and in the awning too. However, the dog will have to become accoustomed to using a dog crate. - at home, leave the door open, place the dog's food in it, allow the dog to go in and out....... don't close the door on him until he is completely comfortable with the crate, then leave him in it for VERY short periods of time. Please do not try to travel the dog in the caravan, that will compound matters and is a safety issue.
I suggest you get hands on advice by taking him to basic dog training as it sounds like you all could benefit. I highly recommend you try it, it is fun actually and will, I am sure help you and your dog to have a better relationship.
You could ring your local vet, rspca etc and they might have the contact details for a good dog training establishment.
Another word of advice, don't join any dog training establishemnt which uses choke chains (causes damage to a dog's throat). All dog training should be reward based. A good dog trainer will let you and your dog sit and observe during the first session.
Buy a copy of Bruce Fogle's 'the dog's mind' - an excellent book which will give you an insight into how the dog thinks etc.
Having a male dog castrated can 'cure' some issues but is not necessarily the answer to everything.
I wish you luck, it is very upsetting when you have the problems you describe but it's something that should be able to be changed, however, it will take time and patience and hard work by yourself and your dog.
Let us know how you get on.
Lisa.
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