New car problems!

[mattydog]

I have 2 rotties and they always go everywhere with me. Unless it is too hot to leave them in the car even for a short time they are happy to come with me and sulk if left at home. Until, that is, I got a new car. I had an Explorer but it is now very elderly and falling to pieces so got a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Not quite as much space for them but still plenty of room.
They got into it 3 times but now refuse to go near it. They have to get in at some point for vet visits etc. Any ideas how to persuade 2 40 odd kilo dogs to get in?

 

[LittleMonster]

Feed them in the back of the car?
Encourage with treats,

Maybe they are linking the car to bad things - vets (well bad in their eyes lol)

R wouldn't go in my car (when i first got her) so i sat in the boot with her food and her on a long line and eventually she jumped in and i sat in there till she was calm.

And sometimes if we go to the vets, we go home and i pop her back in the car to the park (she adores the park and scrambles to try and get out!) so she forgets about the vets visit and thinks car - exciting fields/park

people think im mad so i don't really care and she likes the car now and tries to get in when we walk past,

 

[mattydog]

Yep tried treats. Even my very greedy girlie will not get in for sausages! Dex won't actually go near it at all. Don't want to put too much pressure on them. For all their size they can be sensitive souls. I will try putting their tea in there though and just leave the back open so they can jump in and out as they please. Also thinking of getting a ramp as it is a lot higher than the Explorer.

 

[Dobiegirl]

Mattydog I was going to ask was it higher than your previous vehicle, I think a ramp is a very good idea as it not just the getting in but the getting out. Your dogs have had a bad experience IMO they may well have felt some pain getting in and out, how old are they?

 

[gunnergundog]

If the ramp doesn't work try a two step plastic mounting block........had an oldie a while back, who despite having done agility didn't like/wouldn't accept a ramp but happily used a mounting block to aid him up and down.

 

[Aru]

is the new car higher than the old? they may be struggling to make the jump up if they are not used to it.id provide ramp or some sort of block do the junp would be easier and then feed them in there.....I would also be mean and only feed them in there...no in,no food til next mealtime.hunger is fantastic motivation

 

[LittleMonster]

Yep tried treats. Even my very greedy girlie will not get in for sausages! Dex won't actually go near it at all. Don't want to put too much pressure on them. For all their size they can be sensitive souls. I will try putting their tea in there though and just leave the back open so they can jump in and out as they please. Also thinking of getting a ramp as it is a lot higher than the Explorer.

Ahh! Ramp or Steps like others have said.

Food i found was the answer! do they play alot? could use their toys too?

Good luck! (i have a mastiff sensitive is her middle name been wrestling with ear drops this week...)

 

[mattydog]

Thanks guys. They are getting on a bit....7 and 8. Although Dexter will only ever put his front feet on and I do the back end!! I think I'll go with the steps. Have you seen the price of ramps? My God they are ridiculously expensive.