1Year old Collie refuses to get into the boot of the jeep.

[patseyr]

Hi all,

We got a collie who refuses to get into the boot of the jeep/or the seats. This has been like this since we got her as a pup. When ever we go somewhere she runs away and cowers down . You end up having to pick her up and put her into the jeep. She tends to nip at you when you try to lift her, as she knows she's going for a drive. She doesn't appear to mind the drive anywhere and usually she really enjoys her walks or visits to the farm that come along with the drive.

We have the same problem when its time to leave and go back home, she refuses to get in.

I have bought a set of foldable steps for her, and tried treats etc but nothing has worked so far. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[blackcob]

Before you consider this a behavioural problem to be solved I would want to eliminate pain as the cause - has she seen a vet?

 

[Sandstone1]

Is she in pain? Might hurt her to jump in? Car sick? If not then try feeding her in car but not going anywhere. slowly build up the time she is in there before going for a short drive. Slow and steady.

 

[Spotherisk]

I’ve not had your problem, but could you try always feeding her in the car ie you feed twice a day, and each time it is in the car. No treats between meals. Don’t shut her in, just park your bum on the edge of the boot and tell her what a good girl she is while she eats. If you’re feeding dry might need to release some scent from it with a bit of hot water on it. Once she’s got the hang of that try extra special treats in the car, maybe a lick mat with her most loved food - my dog like peanut butter and adores cheese, Primula is good.

 

[patseyr]

Before you consider this a behavioural problem to be solved I would want to eliminate pain as the cause - has she seen a vet?

I have considered this, and I don't think its a pain issue, she jumps out no problem and can run up and down stairs inside with no issues, she was at the vet last week for her booster vacciences and he checked her over too and found no issues!

 

[patseyr]

Is she in pain? Might hurt her to jump in? Car sick? If not then try feeding her in car but not going anywhere. slowly build up the time she is in there before going for a short drive. Slow and steady.

I have considered this, she could well have car sickness but she doesn't physically get sick or pee or poo in the car,

 

[Clodagh]

Collies are sensitive souls and there are so many triggers in a car journey. If you’ve ruled out pain (and it sounds unlikely) then I’d try a covered crate so she’s not getting so much visual stimulation. No radio on and slow driving.

 

[patseyr]

I’ve not had your problem, but could you try always feeding her in the car ie you feed twice a day, and each time it is in the car. No treats between meals. Don’t shut her in, just park your bum on the edge of the boot and tell her what a good girl she is while she eats. If you’re feeding dry might need to release some scent from it with a bit of hot water on it. Once she’s got the hang of that try extra special treats in the car, maybe a lick mat with her most loved food - my dog like peanut butter and adores cheese, Primula is good.

Thanks, I can try feeding her closer or in the car, I have tried her favourite treats previously but to no avail!

 

[Sandstone1]

I have considered this, she could well car sickness but she doesnt physically get sick or pee or poo in the car,

She may feel sick though. Ginger biscuits may help with sickness

 

[patseyr]

Collies are sensitive souls and there are so many triggers in a car journey. If you’ve ruled out pain (and it sounds unlikely) then I’d try a covered crate so she’s not getting so much visual stimulation. No radio on and slow driving.

Thanks , I may try this too, she doesn't mind going into her crate, so it may be an easier way to put her in the crate first and then into the car.

 

[Sandstone1]

Personally I wouldnt put her in crate then in the car, This will most likely put her off the crate too.

 

[Clodagh]

Personally I wouldnt put her in crate then in the car, This will most likely put her off the crate too.

Same. I’d just try to make a covered area in the car.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Please consult a vet to rule out a pain response. It will be a negative association of some sort.

 

[whirlwind]

One of our collies wouldn’t get in the car when we got her, she’d do the same- cower down and wee. With her though if you put a lead on she’d get up and jump in no problem collies can be weird about stuff, something will have upset her but you might never actually know what. Ours just seemed to click she only went in the car for fun stuff and got over it pretty quick.

 

[patseyr]

Please consult a vet to rule out a pain response. It will be a negative association of some sort.

Thanks for the reply,
Im really interested to know what you mean by ruling out a pain response?
I'm certain she isn't physically in any pain in relation to jumping running ect getting into the car / jeep . she can run up stairs , jump up on platforms over obstacles 3-4 foot high with no issues.

Its more of an anxiety thing with her I think. not sure what the vet would identify unless there is a way of checking for motion sickness etc!

 

[patseyr]

One of our collies wouldn’t get in the car when we got her, she’d do the same- cower down and wee. With her though if you put a lead on she’d get up and jump in no problem collies can be weird about stuff, something will have upset her but you might never actually know what. Ours just seemed to click she only went in the car for fun stuff and got over it pretty quick.

thanks for reply, we have tried putting a lead on her but she will just play dead and not move when she knows she's going in the car, what we have to do is have the boot open and pick her up in a comfortable place away form the jeep and then lift her into the jeep. If she knows she's going she will start nipping if you try put her lead on or lift her close to the jeep when she knows she's going in it.

I will try work on making it more comfortable for her and get her used to eating her food around it etc and see will she become more confident and less stressed in relation to getting in out of a vehicle.

 

[JBM]

My collie does this he gets stressed/car sick in the car. Doesn’t nip tho
Working on it
Slow and steady
Stopped vomiting in the car now after a few short journeys but still very weary of the car
He gets pet the whole car ride by passenger and not allowed to look out the side window
Front is fine

 

[View]

Is it only the Jeep that elicits this response?

 

[Jenko109]

Can you take the pressure off there being an actual journey and just make the car fun for now?

Is the dog drivey for a tug toy or similar? Could you open both back doors wide and get her playing tug with you sat in a seat and eventually work towards her willingly wanting to jump in to get her tuggy? Or something similar to take the focus off the actual car and make the whole thing just a fun game for now. Not actually closing her in. Not driving anywhere. Just playing tug with mum.

 

[skinnydipper]

I have considered this, and I don't think its a pain issue, she jumps out no problem and can run up and down stairs inside with no issues,

How old was she when she started running up and down stairs and jumping down from the jeep?

I'm certain she isn't physically in any pain in relation to jumping running ect getting into the car / jeep . she can run up stairs , jump up on platforms over obstacles 3-4 foot high with no issues.

and at what age was she jumping over obstacles 3 to 4 ft high?

 

[Sandstone1]

She could be in pain or has been in pain in the past and remembers the pain. Could be something like panostitis for example. Could be car sick. Could be some form of remembered fright she has had in or around the car. First thing is to rule out pain. If its not pain and she is a foody type dog start by feeding as near as she will go to the car without getting worried. Then very slowly moving the food nearer and nearer to the car. If not really foody try toys games etc. It might be a slow process. You could use a licki mat or snuffle mat. You need to make the car the best thing ever! Do not rush it and give her time. If you force her you will reinforce her fear.

 

[paddy555]

the thing that worked for my BC with this problem was to stuff her in the front footwell on the passenger side and sit with my legs over her. ie dark enclosed area. I was surprise after we stopped for a walk and she just jumped back into her new place.
A few times of this and the landrover and going out with us became the best thing ever. If you still need to then perhaps the dark enclosed crate idea would be a follow on

mine didn't care about food, toys etc it was mental not physical. Possibly this is a BC "thing" for some.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Has she been to the vet in the Jeep? We've never had one refuse to get in the car but we've had more than one severely dislike going into the vet surgery. They have been OK with the car because they went regularly (at least once per week) to somewhere they wanted to go, usually a relative's house with a resident dog.
But with a clever dog, I can imagine a refusal to repeat a vet visit could result in car phobia.

 

[honetpot]

I had a collie x with bad separation anxiety who would try as escape to be next to you in the car, when we brought her home she took the skin off my hands trying to hold her while my husband drove home, about five miles. This a long time ago, I used to let her sit on the front seat, and go on short journeys. Then she went to the back seat, I think it a very short time for her to associated the car with a walk or a trip to the farm. Collies are funny they are so clever, perhaps your dog sees the boot as being isolated from you and that in its self is a cause of stress.
I think I would make a bed in the car for it, and go and have a coffee and a snack and listen to the radio, give them a treat, so they see the space as a positive.

We once went camping in a two man tent, tried the leave the collie and the other dog in the car beside the tent, they howled and barked so they had to sleep with us, it was a bit cramped. We must have been terrible bed mates, because the second night they were happy to sleep in the car.

 

[webble]

I'm not a dog person so apologies if this is a silly idea but could there be pressure in her ears when travelling?

 

[twiggy2]

Is she like it in other vehicles?
Where does she travel in the jeep as in which part of the vehicle is she in?
We have had collies who dont like vehicles, dont like certain vehicles or dont like certain places in a certain vehicle, they all get to a point travelling is ok but some take more work than others.
I have also worked with labs and spaniels with vehicle issues.
Pm if you want to chat in more depth happy to help if i can

 

[skinnydipper]

Is she like it in other vehicles?
Where does she travel in the jeep as in which part of the vehicle is she in?
We have had collies who dont like vehicles, dont like certain vehicles or dont like certain places in a certain vehicle, they all get to a point travelling is ok but some take more work than others.
I have also worked with labs and spaniels with vehicle issues.
Pm if you want to chat in more depth happy to help if i can

If you could share on this thread what you did to resolve the issue with those dogs, it will help other people with the same problem who read the thread.

 

[Fastasflames]

I've worked on this issue with various collies over the years. It's very common - it may be that she doesn't like the jumping in rather than the car itself and this could be for a multitude of reasons. We had one that did have a back problem that took a very long time to diagnose but one of the subtle first signs was not wanting to jump in the car. For others they just find it difficult to judge jumping into an enclosed space and/or the sensation of landing on the plastic tailguard/boot of the car. Collies really are funny creatures and sometimes you will never work out the foible!

the biggest thing I take from your post is that she nips at you when you pick her up. You need to be able to pick your dog up, so work on this away from the car... she should never, ever be allowed to nip at you and it sounds from this as if your training balance isn't quite right. Once you have got her happy with being picked up, open up the back doors of your car and the boot, place lots of comfy non slip bedding and treats in and practice carrying her from the house (so you arent picking her up at the car) and actually get in there with her and sit with her her.. feed her, pat her and then take her out again. Once she is accepting this have someone turn on the engine for a minute then off again. The next step would be for someone else to drive and you sit with her on the backseat (use a harness clipped to the seatbelt) and do a very short journey. One of mine was only ever happy in the footwell at the front, I used a harness clipped up to the seatbelt to restrain her but being able to be lower down and see me seemed to work for her.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I have had a few collies and had one in particular who was very unhappy about getting into or out of the back of the car. Very quickly she showed us that she would be more than happy to ride in the footwell at passenger' feet as someone else up thread mentioned. It was a gamechanger once we cottoned on, for her and for us. Weird how it seems to be predominately a collie thing though.

 

[patseyr]

Some great information here, Really appreciate all responses, I may give here a break form the jeep for a while and try walk her locally.

we have two jeeps x3 and outlander, not exactly high vehicles, and we have tried putting down the back seats previously and opening the rear door to get her in the car.

When I say she was jumping over obstacles etc I mean she has no issues leaping up on picnic benches, clearing the fence to the neighbours running up and down stairs etc. so I don't see the height of the vehicle as an obstacle, but of coarse she may have had a bad experience at one time in the past.

She does go to the vet in the jeep too, but only for her injections so far, but maybe something like that may have triggered her anxiety.