Dog hates going in the car-any ideas?

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Milo, my springer is just over a year old and has developed a real dislike of going in the car. When he was a puppy he went in the car a good bit, he never got overexcited, he'd just curl up and go asleep and he loved going to places. He then got neutered in the autumn which involved 2 trips to the vets, which he hated and then hasn't gone in the car since. We can go walking directly from home and he comes hacking with me so just never needed to.
The hunter trials have started and I took him to walk the course, as soon as he saw the car he cowered down and was very submissive. I had to lift him into the car and he just curled up and looked miserable. Once we got there he was fine, had a great time and was really well behaved and I then had to carry him over and lift him back in the car to go home. I've tried bringing the GSD aswell who loves the car, and I've tried putting him in a covered crate, and just taking him on short journeys. He doesn't get travel sick, it's more the noise and feel of the car and also the movement outside (he got really worried when it started raining against the windows which is why I thought hte covered crate might work).
Has anyone any ideas on how to make him tolerate it a bit more? I love taking him to shows etc, and he loves it aswell but I hate having him so upset about going in the car.
Also there's a chance he might have a job to do soon which would require a good bit of travelling so really want to find a solution to this problem
 
Is it possible for you to leave the car open (boot, doors etc) and while he's pottering around see it. Then gradually start feeding him in it, playing with him in it, belly rubs, etc anything you can think of that he really likes, but gradually introducing it so that he doesn't see it as a big nasty beast.
 
He may be feeling claustrophobic in the crate - try a car harness instead. You can get shades to stick over the windows if needs be.

Work up gradually to actually going anywhere - start by just sitting on the drive with the engine off and reward him just for putting his front paws into the car. Then gradually work up to getting in and straight back out, then getting in and staying in, then getting in and shutting the door, then sitting with the engine idling. Take it slowly, don't force him too far out of his comfort zone at a session and if he looks really uncomfortable, take it back to the previous stage so he ends on a high note.

There are no quick fixes, but a lady at my training class had a similar problem and with patience and persistance she now has a dog that leaps into the car perfectly happily.
 
Must be a springer thing !

We have an ESS who we rehomed when she was about 14 months, the other dogs I've owned used to jump in the car and be excited about where we were going.

She does a dead dog impression in the middle of the road and I have to peel her off the road and lift her in the car. I take her for a walk in the eve OH in the morn, she knows like on the weekend I ride in the morn so will often take her up yard in the afternoon for a run. She doesn't cry or anything once she's in the car, she just goes all drippy, doesn't look stressed or pants or anything like that, when we get near the yard she'll stand up waggin her tail so she likes it when we get there.

I've had to take her to the vets a few times to get her glands emptied so I just think she thinks she's going there. But that was ages ago. She's quite happy up yard running around, as soon as we go towards the car she goes all stupid again. I've got her a harness for her and my safety as she try's to clamber through from the back to the front and get as close to me as possible, tucking her head into me.

She's got her bed on the back seat so she can't be uncomfortable, she just wants to be near me for comfort. I used to put her in the boot (Vitara) and she used to look so depressed thats when she progressed to the back seat.

Even in the house before we go, if its daylight not dark when I normally take her out, she knows she will be going in the car.

I have thrown the lead through the car and run round and coaxed her in that way, she'll get in then but I don't think this is safe and she could do a runner !

Her old owners used to lock her in a cupboard so maybe have something to do with it
 
Worth trying a DAP collar as well, they really relax some dogs. Also, if you can try to feed him in the car everyday. It sounds like he's associated the car with the vets (clever dog!) and he just need to re-associate it with something more positive.
 
Mine was the same- used to sleep in the car quite happily as a very young puppy, we did all the early positive stuff. Totally wiped out after his second vaccination, he spewed up on the last roundabout, and we had car sickness from then on.

Did treats, short trips, getting in the car for a treat with no journey , trying to make the car fun (I believe the neighbours had a jolly good stare the day we played 'chase me' through a Nissan Micra) all the excellent advice you will get from more experienced people.

This made life in the Vomit Comet became bearable but not great, and I also felt like a s**t for making him get in it. I persevered because to do fun stuff car trips are necessary.

So at least twice a week, we drive to the park for a walk, meet other dogs, and shout abuse at squirrels in trees. After 6 months he has finally twigged that car = fun stuff . I also caught him looking about in a perky interested fashion during the journey and eating any treats I can pass back to him- before he would be so tense that cheese/sauasage would be refused.

But I do have to keep journeys part of the routine and if we need a vet visit I park the car somewhere else and walk there.
 
Thanks for all the ideas. Noisygirl that sounds exactly like him!! I'll have to just take it slowly and perservere and hope he soon associates going in the car with having fun!
 
Vomit Comet :p

That's what we used to call the Seacat...I mean the Sickcat :p

I had a little issue with this and fed B in the car, went for little short trips, etc, everything very positive.
 
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