So, I posted today about how good he is. And then I had him out jumping up and down my ute (utility, truck if you're American). He was doing great, going in and out, and then I slammed the tray door and he crapped himself. Now he won't go in it at all. He won't jump off and when I pick him up and reward him for being in there he either refuses treats or looks scared as all hell. How do I fix this?
How old is he? You shouldn't let a very young dog jump up and down/ in or out of a car/truck. It can damage their joints.
Yeah he'll be ok Cath, I only do it occasionally and don't let him jump heaps, just upset how I scared him today by shutting the tray. Now he won't do it at all
I don't let my adult dog jump into my Cherokee or out. I boost in, lift out. I'd not put him in the car at all for a few weeks to let him forget about it. Then put him and feed him in there. Then, is there a place he likes to go that he knows the name of? That he has to go in the car? Grandma's house? You might try too, putting a scent in the car so it smells different, that works with horses sometimes, might with dogs. All guesses.
Please don't let him jump down at all; lift him in and out. Honestly, it is terrible for their joints. If I remember rightly, Heidrun's spaniel broke his elbow jumping out of her landrover and had to have surgery... I do sympathize though, my OH shut Poppy's head in the car door (luckily not hard!!!) and it took a long, long time and lots of patience to get her used to the car again. She is fine with my car, and if I drive his car she is ok with that too. It is the OH/OH's car combo that she is veeeeery suspicious of (and who can blame her).
Really good point. My sister's dog had all kinds of phobias about her car, what side he'd get in, where, how, when. So when I had to go in my car, alone, and pick him up one day I wondered how I'd get him in mine. Hopped right in, no problem. He was also much better for her in her car if my dog (sometimes me, sometimes not me) was there too. So, putting another dog in your car and feeding that dog there might help. And drive with.
