So we've had Daisy for a few days, things have been going great, even though she keeps on whacking into stuff with her cone. She's starting to eat, and she did her first poop today. We took her for a short car ride today, we went to the office to plant some flowers and didn't want to leave her behind because we figured she would enjoy the experience. But she did not want to go in the car, she was jumping on her hind legs, trying to wiggle her way out of the collar when we opened the car door. Is that because she thinks we're taking her back to the shelter? Maybe the only experience she's had with cars are bad ones? (taken to the shelter by her first owners, vet, etc?) Or does she not know us well enough yet to know we're not taking her back? And, not sure if its related, but she follows us around everywhere we go, even in the house. Is that normal in labs?
Following you everywhere is a normal Lab thing They want to be where the people are. I don't think she'd be afraid that you were taking her to the shelter specifically but I would say that she's had a bad experience in cars or else has had very little experience and is a bit scared or unsure. She may have felt carsick in cars in the past, which can feed anxiety which can lead to more carsickness etc... I'd try getting her used to the car very gradually. Feed her her dinner and/or treats outside the car with the doors closed. Then with the door open. Then put the food on the floor of the car so she has to stick her head in. Then a bit further in so she has to put her paws in. Then so she has to fully get in the car. Go slow and go back a step or two if you need to. Once she's ok with the above go back to step 1 and repeat it all but this time with the engine on. When you think she's ready try moving the car a little way. Basically you are trying to teach her that when she's in the car nothing bad happens, good things happen. Eventually you can take her to nice places for fun walks and then she will really see the point of a car
What was she like on the ride home from the shelter? She was spayed before you got her, right? Did she have the cone on then? Or maybe, like my dogs, she was still a bit out of it and had to be carried to the car and loaded in? I wonder if it was the cone? I think it does distort their perception of distance so maybe made the car look frightening? If she's going to dance around going in the car I think I'd just forgo car rides till her stitches are healed, then work on it.
Both my boys absolutely hated car rides at first . It's one of those things after a couple mine picked it up and now they love it . Jax goes crazy if you say car ride . The first couple are the bad ones and they may get car sick. Once Jax discovered looking out the window though it was over with .
Also yes I've had labs for the past 16 years . My labs live indoors with us but go outside as well. The past 16 years of my life there has been a lab within arms reach they follow you around . First lab I take it ?? Lol be prepared for a ride . Labs are the best dogs ever , labs are also the most annoying ,destructive dogs ever if you don't have a way to let them positively burn off all their energy be prepared for destructive behavior mainly digging and or chewing . However if you focus that energy like with Jax it's fetching ,also don't leave anything around you don't mind getting chewed up lol. I basically baby proofed my home then puppy proofed , Jax showing me I couldn't win ate a hole in the wall.
Cooper was not happy with her first couple of car rides with us. (she rode 400 miles with the breeder to meet us in Portland when she was 7 weeks). After a couple of rides with our other Lab, Tilly, she was fine, and has been ever since. (The dogs just got back from a 4000 mile road trip.). The biggest problem is if we open the car to get in we are likely to have a dog join us, even if they aren't supposed to be going. It seems they think riding is fun, and it usually means going somewhere good.
Hi I had the same issue with my boy and getting into the car. As oberon on suggested I put treats or his food near to the car then gradually placed them into the car. I would park the car in the drive and leave the doors open for him to go in and out, curiosity soon got the better of him and now he's goes in no bother.
