Any tips appreciated - getting into a car!

[dawn]

Yes, at the end of a walk 13 month old Henry will not get into the car. 

He travels on the back seat of the car in a crate.

I have tried treats strewn on the back seat and in the crate, tickling his ears, ignoring him, looking the other way, putting the treats away, using the command 'basket'. The only thing I can't do is lift him, dodgy back. Yesterday a friend helped lift him in after 20 mins in the freezing rain!   

He knows the command 'basket' in the house and will run at top speed into his crate in the house, waiting for his treat. 

I'm guessing he doesn't want the walk to end, its usually after a one hour off lead run around, he gets four walks per day, 2-3 hrs. (spoilt!) On the way out for a walk a couple of treats gets him in.

Any tips will be appreciated.

Could it be the crate when wet? I could try a ramp and guard for the boot, or seat belts.

I think I might practice on the drive this weekend. Maybe treat after he has got in?

He is much better with my OH, but then he can lift Henry if there's any problems.

thanks for any tips!

[SJP]

Sorry no tips....I have the reverse problem. 
Lola will not get into the car to go for a walk, but can't wait to get in to go home!

Sometimes I get so fed up I let her sit on the back seat - I know I shouldn't, but its just easier.

Will be watching this thread with interest.  Hope somebody can help you.

[Emma xx]

Sorry no advice as never had the problem, but trying it on the drive sounds a good idea because at the moment it seems like he is seeing it as a negative (get in the car.. all the fun is over) so doing it on the drive and making it fun and rewarding for him to get in (giving him treats etc) should help him to realise that the car isn't such a bad place . I'm sure someone more knowledgable will come along and give better advice soon though

[Patp]

Does he get in the car okay before you go for the walk?  If so then perhaps it has the same effect as putting the lead on at the end of the walk (fun has now ended)

It might be worth putting him in the car on the drive and playing some games with favourite toys - getting him in and out - playing again when he is in.

Then at the end of the walk spend a few minutes when he is in the car playing with a toy.  He might see the car as an extension of his fun outing then.

Could be worth a try!

Pat

[dawn]

Yes there are times when he gets in the crate no problem! When picking him up from doggy day care, which he goes to once a week, straight in the car! On the way to a walk, although he does like a treat to get him in.

We are definetly going to practice on the drive this weekend. Yesterday I tried a bit of cat food in his bowl at the back of the crate. Worked well, but I know its no solution, since cat food is bad for him, and he'll soon learn!

The longer he refuses to get in the crate, the more attention he gets from passers-by, and the more treats he gets from me as I try to coax him in! He's not daft! 

xx

[seaangler]

What i would do is (if you are capable of doing so with your back that is...Is to open both back doors of your car and encourage your dog on a lead so he can walk through the car with ease so he can get use to the car again(encourage him with a bonio/treat and high praises)...it seem that at one point he has been traumatize in getting into the cage At one point...I would just try what i have said before trying for the cage again....Some thing to try...than nowt....at all..

P.S. NEVER at any stage pull on the lead.Just very gently

[spaniel04]

Looks like your dog thinks the only fun is being out on a walk.
Try and make the getting into the car a really good game for him, starting at home without actually going anywhere. I did something similar with my young cocker and clicker trained him to jump into the crate in the back of the car. It just took a couple of days for him to learn and to love the game. It involves a lot of jumping in and out of the car and click/treating with something very tasty. Now he is very reliable and jumps into the crate on cue but every so often I still play the game with him at the end of the walk of jumping in and out and even putting some distance between us and the car and sending him from my side. He absolutely loves the game.
All you need to do is convince him that jumping into the carat the end of a walk is not the end of fun but a really exciting game

[Snoo]

Wish I had some useful tips/good advice for you, but with Clover, she can't wait to get in it at the start and at the end of the walk - my problem is getting her to come out of it when we are back home, lol! Hope you can get Henry over his reluctance soon, anyway. Looking at all the good advice on here some of it must work for him!!! 

[dawn]

Thanks for all your support guys.

Well at the weekend we had him jumping in/out of the boot, clicking and treating on the drive. Pate on toast works a dream.

Today, returning from the walk straight in the boot, no bother! ha ha so far so good.

Now I just have to stop him jumping up and stealing stranger's hats while out on walks,  A nice black felt on today.

There's never a dull moment with a cocker around!

xx