My 14 month old Shepard mix will not get in the car. I have tried the treats, with me in the car, out of the car...everything. I start Puppy school with him next week and if I can't get him in the car I can't get him to class. He threw up on his way home with me from the Humane Society and did three small trips just fine after that. The next trip, which is only blocks from his school, he threw up again. I've tried no food, no treats, people food-which I swore I wouldn't do- I can't put him in by myself because all four legs go to all four directions on the compass and cannot get him through the door. There is no one to help me during the day to practice. My husband put him in once and he di really well! I even took him around the block and praised him! When we got home and got out, I went back in and so did he.. twice.. now he won't have anything to do with it. I'm stuck with a good dog who knows sit, wait, down and up but not in! I've never had a dog who doesn't want to ride in the car! This is dog number 4. How are we supposed to take him camping and hiking and on walks in the park if we can't get there? HELP!!!My touchy feely Puppy teacher thinks it's all my fault and that I need to "expect the dog to do what I want not what I don't want". Well... I want my dog to get in the car so we can go have fun!!!!
Thanks for writing in. You certainly have a complex one on your hands!
I don't think this is one that can be solved by behavioural training- please ignore the comments from your puppy school teacher. I personally feel getting your dog to the vets for some anti-nausea medication is the best bet. Your dog clearly has pretty bad motion sickness and is hence averse to car rides. Does he have any issues with his ears? Some times ear infections can travel up the ear canal to the point where it is affects the inner parts of the ear where the 'balance centers' are. You could ask the vet about this as well when you take him in.
Let us know how you go once you have the meds for him. He may need a few trips on the meds before he becomes comfortable with car rides.
I really think if your dog has something for the nausea all it will take os a fun trip once your out.My dog Maggie would not get in the car she is a dane so ot took me and another oerson to get her in the car .The vet was the only place we had been and she was getting shots so no wonder she didnt want to get in.so we forced her in again and I took her to the TSC store they gave her treats and payed her alot of attention.I stopped at another store made her wait in the car like 5min. Bought her a cheap toy .we have not had any trouble. Since .
Now if I could just get Maggie to watch her step .she is always stepping on peoples feet and it hurts!I tried yelping and a firm ouch but it does not seem to phase her.Have any suggestions?
There are a couple of reasons why your pooch is doing this- 1. She is clumsy. Very rare in the doggie world but still a distant possibiity. 2. She is a bit insecure - is she a stressy dog? 3. She wants your attention and stepping on your feet gets her exactly that!
Now, easiest way to get her to stop is to teach her a command that gets her to 'back up' via obedience training- using a clicker or treats as incentive. The other way to go about it(if just the 'ouch') isn't working is having a water gun at hand and giving her a good squirt when she does it (right in the face).
Let us know how you go! All the best with the training
