Getting A Dog Into A Car

[merylpeep]

my dog used to get into my car no prob. now, for no apparent reason, he refuses. I've tried tempting him with treats, but he just won't get in. This will be a prob if I need to get him to the vet, aside from taking him for walks etc. Any suggestions?

[Baldric]

Is it age related, could he be feeling a bit stiff do you think, and jumping in is not helping?

[Peaspeculiars]

Hi Meryl, has the dog got any problems with his legs (which might hurt him to get into the car) or has he had a scare whilst getting into it recently?

[Peaspeculiars]

If so, will he allow you to lift him in?

[merylpeep]

no physical probs, no. just seems spooked by the car and wont get in.

[Peter Pedant]

off point but I must tell....

I used to yell - "get in!" and in the dog went
when I was road running past a farm I heard the farmers' wife control her brood of four with the very words...."Get in!"

and there were squeals with - two faces-dog-two faces - all making frenz, from the back of the car !

country area and she had a sense of humour .....

[Peaspeculiars]

lol PP :-)

Meryl, sounds a bit daft, but if you put a blanket in the back and a toy with his scent on that might work (if you haven't already tried it). But also, try walking past the boot/ side door of the car when it's open a few times without actually getting the dog into the car so that he gets used to it again and doesn't associate being near the car with anything bad.
Do this for a few days (yes. you will get funny looks from the neighbours, but hey-ho) and talk in a soft voice to him constantly to reassure him.
Then try using a command such as 'up' each time you want him to go into the car - use one hand on the lead (relaxed length) and move the other hand into the area you want him to go, with a treat or small piece of cheese in it.
Don't go anywhere, just get him used to getting into the car again and being rewarded - do this several times over the following few days.
Then when (hopefully) he starts getting used to being in the car again, take him on a short trip to somewhere really fun for him, park, canal whatever he enjoys, and really, really praise him each time he gets into and out of the car.
It will take time, but have patience and don't worry about looking daft!
If he resolutely refuses to get into the car - get in yourself with him on a relaxed lead with a treat in your hand and speak softly to encourage him in - get him to make eye contact with you by holding the treat next to your nose, then moving it into the car with you.
I hope it works - if not, perhaps another AB'er might have some good ideas?
All the best

[woofgang]

do you have to take him in the car urgently? I had something similar with one of my boys recently for no reason that i ever worked out. I backed right off and for a whole week i didn't ask him to get in the car at all. Then we went out to the car, opened the back door, they both ate a treat off the door sill and then we went back indoors again. next day i tossed a treat just into the car where he could reach it without getting in, next day he had to stand on his hind legs to get in, next day I threw the treat into the cage so he had to jump in to get it. He refused so i let his brother jump in for it, did that two or three times till he got fed up with seeing his bro have all the goodies so he jumped in. I immediately praised him like mad and we went indoors. next day we drove about 10 yards had a treat, drove back. Every day we drove a tiny but further till he was happy again. including the week where we went no where, it took around 3 weeks to sort the problem but now he's fine again. Slow and patient is the way, it will take as long as it takes. If he has to miss out on walks while you sort it then so be it. You might also like to give him some melatonin which is very good for all kinds of stress in dogs.

[shoota]

Is it a Mercedes?



I wouldn't be seen dead in a Mercedes.....

[RAV1D]

have any other animals been in the car? or any person who has pets? animals have scents that they comunicate by. some scents give off different messages to other animals. if for some reason a bad scent as got into your car, it could be telling your dog to stay clear.

[janbee]

Most dogs LOVE cars but my dog HATED it. She was terrified and it was never a pleasure for her. She quivered and shook and was agitated the entire time. We never did find out why. Good luck with your dog Meryl xx