I have an 18 month old black labrador who is terrified to get in the car. He has always been quite reluctant to get in the car and has always needed a "helping hand", but over the last month or two as soon as he sees us heading for the car he rolls on his back and will not move. When we do eventually get him in the car, he lies there shivering until we reach our destination where he is his lively self once again. We had an accident in March but I dont think this is connected as this problem has only got worse recently. Any adive would be greatly appreciated.

I would try giving him his meals in the car - not driving him anywhere, until he is a little more confident that nice things can happen in cars. Then you can sit in the (stationary) car with the engine running, just a couple of minutes at a time, then let him out again. Build up the time (read a book or something - just sit there and ignore him) until he loses some of his fear.

It could take a long time.

I'm sure his reluctance to be in the car will be related to the accident - my dogs and I got hit by a car when we were walking 8 years ago. We all survived relatively unscathed, but the one I have left from that time (she was 15 months old at the time) still trembles when we walk down that particular stretch of road (it took a year to be able to get her to walk past the spot).

Hi Guest,
Dylan, my 4 yr old Lab cross has always hated the car too, hiding in the house, shaking etc, he is also afraid of any other small spaces, i couldn't put him in a (large) crate when he was a pup as he screamed and hurt himself trying to escape. He is even worse when it is raining as he is afraid the back wiper may try to attack him - we keep it switched off all the time. We have tried everything to get him used to the car, but he won't eat when in the car as he is too frightened and that was while it was stationery in the back garden! The only period of time when he did get better was when he was doing agility regularly, he didn't mind getting in the car so much as he thought he may be going to play, it may be worth trying taking him just very small distances, to somewhere he loves eg his walk or a doggy friends house.
I wish you all the luck in the world, I'm sure your dog cannot be quite as neurotic as mine (gorgeous though!)
Hayley

We have a pup that doesnt really like the car . He shakes quite a bit but we put it down to him only being a pup . We only travel to the park and to his training classes so he doesnt associate the ride with anything "bad" . Do some dogs never grow out of this ?
Lel