I've got a 6mt old GSD who won't get into the back of our estate car. He just sits down and won't move. I have to pick him up and put him in (and he's getting really heavy!) I've tried treats and over-the-top praise, but nothing works. He is fine once he's in the car and settles down and seems quite happy. He's is travel sick now and again. Any suggestions?

I remember this problem with a young Dobe who was rapidly growing and always wanted to be lifted in and a GSD at training classes who had the same problem.

In both instances the same method worked - try running him towards the car - taking it for granted that he will go in? If you can get an experienced dog handler to do this for you it might help as you are used to him sitting and will probably automaticlly brace yourself for him to stop.

Another way is to feed him in the back of the car - if his food is in there and he is hungry he may get in more readily.

Christine

Hahahahaha - and that young Dobe was the Mockodile :D :D

I thank god for the day that Christine got him to do this, my back was beginning to break :D :D

Beth

Sounds like your dog is suffering from car phobia. It's probably resulted from a bad car experience in the past.

In order to help you as best as possible you need to answer a few questions....

How long has this been occuring or when did you first notice the car phobia?

Do you have any idea what may be causing it?

What have you done to try and encourage the dog into the car? Believe it or not, some methods do more damage in some cases.

Try taking things as gradually as possible. Unfortunately, however, it seems that he's grown aware of your plots (e.g. bribing with treats) to try and bring him in the car. Try something else...just NEVER EVER force him because this re-enforces the fear.

You should start back at square one. Forget about trying to get him INSIDE the car. For the meantime, try to actually get him NEAR the car. If he's already past this step then even better. Try opening the doors and using the car as a playground. Feed him a tasty treat like chicken in the car so as the help the dog associate the car with something positive rather than car sickness. Bring his favorite toy and throw it near the car for him to go fetch it. Then try throwing the toy IN the car for him to go fetch. Eventually, try closing the doors with him in the car. Praise him and give him a treat...play some more...quit while your ahead and come back the next day. Always end on a positive note. The next day...repeat only this time try turning the engine on for a little while. If he doesn't respond with anxiety or apprehension then you can move on to the next step tomorrow. The next day try giving him a bone or something to chew on while you go for a quick ride around the block. When you return...praise lavishly....well i think you get the pattern here. Just take it slow and end every session on a positive note. Every subsequent day, try to make a little more progress. However, be careful not to end on a negative note (e.g. extreme anxiety or apprehension). The goal is to make your dog happy to be in the car. Try to act as happy as possible when near the car...your dog can sense this. This will help your dog associate the car with good.

This is all the advice i can really offer you without knowing any of the details of the situation. Let me know how it goes....good luck!!

Rob

More commonly it is the result of an owner following advice and not letting their pup jump into the car when young and the dog gets used to being lifted in - especially if they are quite happy and settle when inside, than being a phobia

Regarding sickness - have you noticed any pattern - windy roads, travelling soon after eating, cold day and car heating on high, noise?

Christine

Good point christine! I overlooked that fact that you mentioned that you have to pick the dog up and into the car and that once he is inside he seems quite happy.

Alot of dogs develop what i like to call "voluntary helplessness" when owners get accustomed to helping their dogs by picking them up.

Being that i've never actually encountered this problem before, the only advice i can offer is stop picking the dog up!! Good luck!

Rob

hi all, a friend of mine's working cocker, who is now 3 years old, wouldn't jump into her Landrover, he can jump agility, he can almost jump the kennel run!!! But when it comes to jumping in, he just wouldn't - its not that he doesn't want to go in and doesn't like the journey - He just wants to be picked up and lifted - You tell him "up", or " in " use treats whatever - but he sits there , wagging his tail like crazy! then if she get annoyed and shouts at him - he lays on his back, wagging his tail!! Its kind of a submissive looking thing - but not really, being submissive, I think it is like a ' passive refusal' , you know - "I'm going to try it on, and not do what you say - but not really challenge you - so I'll use a submissive posture!" He just wants her to pick him up! I once told her to drive off without him, and she loaded the other spaniels in, he did his usual!! she shut the Landrover door and drove off. I stayed watching him, just in case he decided to do anything dangerous - that dog got up so quick and looked so puzzled! He didn't do it again! :D julie:)

I just thought, how about using a doggy ramp for the dog to walk into the back of the car, so he gets used to getting there under his own steam. You won't have to lift, and he won't have to jump. I know you can buy ready made ones, but prehaps you could construct it yourself, or get someone to make one for you, and put it flat on the floor to start with, encourage the dog to walk along it flat with a treat, and then raise one end and use treats etc. Do a gradual built up to the dog finally jumping in on his own (well its supposed to work that way:D) Just a thought , might help! Julie:)

Julie,
I was thinking the same thing as I was reading the thread :) :) :) In fact, there's one in my catalogue that folds up rather small that it fits in an included bag...then it's slid in with the dog :) :)
Jackie--- note the BAG -- Jackie!!!! ;) ;) :D :D :D (just ribbing you ;) )
toodles