i have posted this topic before and got some good advice but it hasn't worked, my year old bitch dalmation refuses to jump in the boot of my hatchback car. She can do it as I've seen her jump higher walls etc. I've tried food (even chocolate cake), I've even sat in the boot myself for 10 minutes trying to coax her in. Could it be that there's a slight drop into the boot (approx 4 inches)?
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you solve it? I'm getting desperate now as she's getting very heavy and large. She loves the car but I find I'm leaving her in the house more and more as she's getting too big to carry into the car.

Well, as you have tried the nice approach........Let's be not so nice. 

My Dalmatian was fine getting into the car until I had a cage put in the back, then he point blank refused to go in.

I made sure he had a tight enough collar on as to not come over his head threw a treat in the back and heaved him in by the collar.  I kept the voice firm and just said don't be such a wimp and get in (more for myself then him, thinking about it :) )

It took a few attempts, with a bit of heaving by a second person at the back end to start with, but I found by sounding like I meant it and I wasn't going to be messed about worked.  After about a week he didn't need the collar holding and now jumps in by himself.

He is just playing you up (they are good at that).  Be firm and decisive and you will win.

I nearly posted last time, but I though I would see if the nicey, nicey approach worked first, unfortunately as I suspected it didn't.

Take no nonsense from her, just go for it.

Good Luck
Sandra

Oh dear, I have considered that especially when she's thick of mud and I have to pick her up. I will try to bring myself to do this (will be hard) but it' s for her own good I suppose.

Use the collar as a lever, rather then pick her up if possible, or she will just wait to be lifted in. 

The important bit is the being firm and showing you will not tolorate this nonsense.  She is being very silly and stubbon (as only a Dalmatian can).

Go on......just go for it. :)

And as stubborn as an Aussie :D :D :D Tara did walk to within 6 inches of hubbies Volvo estate last night and let me pick her front paws up and then, unceremoniously, pick her rear end up and throw her in. She does a good line in sitting firmly on her rear and so the idea of dragging her firmly by the collar would only end up with her nose being squashed on the bumper I think :D

Daisy

You're giving up too easily :D - 10 minutes is nothing!!  Did you try my previous suggestion of putting aside an afternoon purely for this purpose, with nowhere to go to get you stressed out?

M.

I have to say the nicely nicely approach didn't work with Saffy either.  She is very stubborn and I did try for a long time.  In the end (after being stranded while she refused to get in the car) someone picked her up and put her in and told me to be very firm.  Now I put her lead on and 'order' her into the car and she gets in no problem! (I have never taken her anywhere but nice places in the car really and I used to throw a few treats in to tempt her which did work for a while).  If i don't put her lead on, she runs and hides.

Fiona

I just wish my girl would jump in our car instead of the neighbours all the time!!  LOL

(do u think she's trying to tell me something????)

Bradley would only jump into landrovers, he has quite happily jumped in when there is already a dog inside,  little snob.

Tundra is the same........he waits by the boot of the car waiting for hubby to pick him up.  All very well but he weighs 70 lbs and he's only 8 months!  He seems to have got into the habit now!  Hubby has to pick up his front end and put his paws in then go to his rear and pick that up!  I never realised Malamutes were so lazy!  He's nothing like Nanuk, she will jump in the car at any given opportunity!

This reminds me of Ollie - 10 month old Golden Retriever.  Will put his front paws up but then I have to heave his heavy behind in!!  All well and good unless he is wet and muddy!

I've tried doing run ups with him but he just jumps up with his front paws then looks at me as if to say "go on then, what are you waiting for?"  :)

Haven't tried anything else yet like bribing with treats but I will get more serious about it soon I expect. 

Just made me smile reading these posts and realising it wasn't just my dog that did it!!

Nunuk, Ive only known Mals seriously for a few months, Found it really clear they were very lazy untill it came to food!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Rox

Well thanks Rox, so pleased to know it's just not our little guy!

I had the same problem with my lurcher. When he was young we had to lift him into the boot all the time. this continued untill one day we happened to park the car boot up against some raised grass and just having the grass  slightly higher than usual did the trick. He now jumps in every time. I think it is just a confidence thing. Good luck