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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Jennifer Shryock is a certified dog behavior consultant, who specializes in helping families keep things safe and fun between children and the family dog/s. She has a duo bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Kutztown University. She combined her passion for working with families, children and dogs into a career in dog behavior, and founded Family Paws in 2002. She developed Dogs & Storks™, an original and complete program for new and expecting parents (and grandparents) who have a family dog.
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2/10/2006
I have a 4 year old very healthy and very active Golden Retriever. Brodie is a very well behaved, lovable boy who I can't complain one iota about except for one small thing, which is quite an inconvenience for me. He will not jump in the car by himself. He has done it a couple of times and is perfectly capable. He has no physical problems and is a very active dog. I have tried everything, throwing tennis balls in the car, running starts, coaxing from the front seat, putting his favorite stuffed animal in the car, HOT DOGS! He absolutely refuses to jump in.
He used to live with a puppy 3 years younger than him who would jump in and out of the car regularly. I thought he would start copying the puppy, but no, Brodie can be quite stubborn. The big problem is that Brodie is quite a large Golden, 110 lbs. He is not overweight, but very tall and long for his breed. I weigh 115 lbs and it's inconvenient as well as a struggle for me to lift him in the back of the SUV every time we go anywhere. Brodie has never really loved riding in the car, but he doesn't get carsick either. He is usually fine sticking his head out the window or lying down in the back. It's not his favorite thing to do but he doesn't react to it as badly as he used to. Please help. Also, I can't use a ramp, he simply won't walk up it. (sacamble, California)
The first thing that comes to mind is trying to get him into the car through another door. You may have already tried this bu
t if you have not then I would see if he is willing to go in through the front door or another door.
You mention that you have tried hot dogs and throwing toys in the car. Try all of this when you do not need to go anywhere. Hand feed him his dinner in the back of the car. It sounds like he settles down once in the car but getting in is tough. This could be due to negative association with jumping in or going somewhere unpleasant such as the vet.
It is important to think back to before this behavior began and try to place when this started. Was it hot? Was he in the car too long? Was he left in the car? Was it a difficult vet visit? Does the closing of the door scare him?
It is important to create a relaxed and positive association with the car. Here is a trick I suggest for situations like this. Get hot dog and grate it up. Then heat it up and sprinkle it in the middle of the area you want him to go to. Don't let him at it right away. Make him want it and then let him go. If it is in tiny pieces it forces him to stay a short bit. Then allow him out. Do this when you do not need to go somewhere. Repeat this for a while until he is ready to do it on cue. Then I would take a short drive to a good spot and have a great play session.
I have seen many dogs that do not like the back door slamming and letting them in another door seems to help. I hope that something here is helpful for you! Good luck and happy travels!
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