Help: Why is my dog balking at getting into the car?
Cowboy, my border collie-Australian shepherd mix (about 5 years old), has very recently begun balking at jumping into the back cargo area of my Jeep Liberty.
Worried that he was developing some kind of hip or back problem, I took him to my vet. The X-rays and blood work all came back normal. His back, hips, knees are all just fine (and when he does finally make the jump into the car, he does so with ease).
So. The vet said it must be "behavioral."
My first course of action was clearing out the cargo area as much as possible. Maybe some of the "stuff" was making him nervous (especially a baby gate I'd recently used as a makeshift barricade between the front seats and the cargo area).
I've tried giving him a choice of doors, putting the seats up, putting the seats down. But he's continued to balk -- a couple times I've even resorted, after 10 minutes of unsuccessful pleading, to getting a friend at the dog park to help me just lift him into the car (I take the front, she takes the back).
I've tried putting his front paws up onto the folded down seat, but he strongly resists this and I'm afraid I'm only spooking him more by physically forcing the issue.
Cowboy loves riding in the car, which usually ends in a destination and activity he enjoys -- a hike on the Peninsula or a romp at the the dog park, the dog beach or a rare excursion to the snow in the mountains.
He's a rescue and has always been on the timid side. This issue has cropped up so recently, I just can't figure out what's going on in his complex doggie mind. My next strategy is to use some very high-end treats.
Any other thoughts?? Once he's in the car, he's just fine. Have any of you encountered something like this with your dogs?
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About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
Well, it's been a few days and I'm happy to report that Cowboy is once again jumping into the car without much hesitation. Perhaps he was still experiencing the after-effects or a belated, lingering reaction to my ill-advised baby gate solution, even though the gate had been removed from the SUV. But I'm still thinking through the issue of making their transportation more secure. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Yes, the baby gate is history. He hopped in OK today coming home from the dog park, lured by some cheese I'd brought along as a reward.
Not sure two crates big enough for my dogs would fit in my suv, which is on the smaller side, but that is obviously a safer way to travel. Many of our trips are short, of course, 5 miles round trip typically. But I realize also there are safety hazards without restraints for the dogs.
I'm a huge advocate of having our dogs ride in a dog crate in the car. This prevents us from having to jimmy a baby gate to segment car acces, and allows you to keep your car windows wide open with the air blowing through (without risk of your dog jumping out or being bothered by people).
I think it's most probably the fright he experienced when the baby gate didn't stay put. I'm assuming you've removed the baby gate by now?
If you decide to consult a pet psychic, I can recommend someone :-)
Perhaps Cowboy was spooked by a sudden stop while riding in the cargo area? Have you tried using a doggie carseat restraining belt? He might feel more secure if that is the issue.
Yes, I was thinking of that also. We may have to put the back seats up, get them well covered, and try them on belts.
Thanks Christina. My vet also does acupuncture -- for now Cowboy is on Glycoflex as he did have some very mild beginnings of arthritis. But otherwise, there's just been no indication of any physical discomfort -- he bounds up the stairs, loves walking, plays and runs at the dog park. Because of his rather skittish personality -- thunder, lightening, other kinds of fears -- my guess is that it could be related to the baby gate I had propped up in the car to barricade the front seat (not a great solution, I realize, and it did once clatter backwards into the dogs' space). Another reader suggested feeding him in the car a couple times to reinforce a positive reaction to the cargo area so that may be worth trying. I'll keep everyone posted, though, and if there are other symptoms I will definitely take him back in for more checking!
Hi Donna, maybe it's a muscle or nerve thing and not a bone issue? I work at Redondo Shores Veterinary Center and Dr. Yelinek does chiropractic and acupuncture and we also have a therapy laser. If in fact it were a muscle or nerve issue and not behavioral, one of these treatments may benefit him. :)