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Post by jackie on Jun 28, 2012 16:48:27 GMT -5
A gentleman who lives near me has recently adopted a greyhound. He has settled well but will not jump into the car. This is a problem as the man has always walked his dogs at a nearby beauty spot which is a short car journey away. He has been lifting his dog into the car daily but the gentleman is elderly and has now hurt himself doing so.  I have suggested he walks him closer to home for the time being but if anyone has any ideas to encourage the dog in the car without lifting I will pass them on.  (apparently treats don't work and he panics if he's pushed)  |
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Post by samburns on Jun 28, 2012 17:21:19 GMT -5
Jackie, if your friend has someone that can help try this method..... With our first greyhound he always went on the back seat so to get him to jump in one of us stood with Jazz at the open door, the other went to the other door on the opposite side of the car, took the lead and called Jazz enthusiastically while tugging gently on the lead. We have also used this 'method' with the back seats down, one person at the back of the car, the other holding the lead passed through the inside of the car, standing with a rear door open - obviously you need two people to try this out and also not pull hard, just gentle encouragement so that the collar isn't slipped  Hope that makes sense |
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Post by elmuervo on Jun 28, 2012 17:34:06 GMT -5
Uff! That sounds familiar!  When Barney first came here he wouldn't jump into the car (the boot of a Fiat Punto) ever, ever - so Steve ended up lifting him in all the time and it was an absolute killer because Barney's a big heavy boy. That went on for months and months, we put dog beds and duvets and toys in the boot to make it nice and comfy, to no avail; we bought a ramp and he wouldn't use it (he'd do that panicked freeze on tiptoes that they do); enticing him with food didn't work . . . In retrospect I think he had problems interpreting what we wanted him to do: He just had no idea at all, and over time TBH we probably even conditioned him into expecting to be lifted. Months and months passed with us lifting the big daft lump, and then one Sunday we went to a Jim Greenwood training day in a field out in Cheshire. It was boiling hot and really humid, and there were loads of us there (about 15 dogs - it was bonkers really). We waited literally 3 or 4 hours - standing observing in this boiling field - to have our 1-1 evaluation with Jim, so by the end of the day we were all totally fractious and knackered. When we got back to the car late afternoon, we opened the hatchback and poor exhausted Barney just went BOING and jumped straight in and lay flat out.  ;D I reckon by then he was so miserable and desperate for a place of comfort that it gave him the impetus to take the initiative: His survival instinct kicked-in - "Oh my comfy bed at last - thank GOD!" ;D ;D ;D ;D Based on that I'd say take him on a ludicrously long, leg-tiring walk and see whether he does the same. It's worth a try, as we've never had a problem since: It kind of forced the penny to drop in Barney's tiny stubborn mind ;D ;D ;D ;D Jo x |
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Post by loopylou on Jun 29, 2012 3:10:46 GMT -5
We had this problem with Barkley when we first adopted him seven weeks ago. We couldn't lift him in either as he would growl and mouth us. Lisa suggested a squeaky ball and treats, but also to dose him on rescue remedy for a few days first and not take him even near the van, then just walk to it and if he'd got in just sit with him for a bit and then get out.We did this and after a couple of times he was happy to jump in and just sit with me. After a few more days he happily jumped in with the others with the aid of the squeaky bal being squeaked and thrown in and a treat for good measure. He didn't look back, now he is happy to get in but we have to laugh as he still waits for a treat, even though he doesn't need it. ;D
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Post by jackie on Jun 29, 2012 11:46:31 GMT -5
Thanks all, I will ring the gentleman after the weekend. I may offer to go and see him (as I have only ever spoken to him on the phone) and suggest or try some of your suggestions. |
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Post by wings on Jun 29, 2012 12:50:58 GMT -5
Lela also won't jump into the car (unless it rains, then she can't wait to jump in, to get out of the rain ). If the dog really won't jump in, I wonder if there is an easier way for the man to lift his dog. Rather than picking Lela up completely and putting her in the car, we do this is stages. We line her up, facing the boot. When first lift her front legs in, so she stands with her front legs in the boot and her back legs still on the floor. Then we lift her back legs in. I find this quite easy, but I would not be able to lift her completely. Although I guess it would depend on the shape of the boot. It's easy in our estate, with low lip. |
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Post by jodav on Jun 29, 2012 15:13:27 GMT -5
We often have the same problem with our Paddy, who is a very athletic, muscle-bound, youngish lad. When he wants to, he can jump into the boot like lightening! I agree with Wings about the height of the boot being a consideration and lifting the front legs up with back legs still on the ground being a good idea because if they jump in at that stage, they are doing half the work and understand what is required of them. Failing this, a stool- type step on the ground half way, followed by a treat and then a treat for jumping the rest. Paddy jumps into the boot when it suits him (like when he's waiting in the kitchen to go out) but he seems to be a bit stubborn at other times! When he is very tired, he's loathe to jump in whereas our female Tracy will jump in anytime, anywhen no matter what. You decide? Good luck to your neighbour  Jo x |
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Post by tesse0barney on Jul 1, 2012 16:16:36 GMT -5
we used to throw squeaky toy in and watch obie jump in after ... he wouldn't get in on his own without it.
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Post by julies on Jul 1, 2012 16:28:39 GMT -5
Is the boot very narrow? he might not be able to work out that he can 'fit in' so if the back seat's are dropped down and nice treats thrown in that might help too? Greys are used to travelling in vans and being able to see out can spook them too at first ....
J x
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Post by dizzi on Jul 5, 2012 1:23:32 GMT -5
It took watching our other dog for the penny to drop with Nancy.
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Post by mtbbuxton on Jul 5, 2012 16:36:28 GMT -5
Is the boot very narrow? he might not be able to work out that he can 'fit in' so if the back seat's are dropped down and nice treats thrown in that might help too? Greys are used to travelling in vans and being able to see out can spook them too at first .... J x I was thinking something similar, but about the headroom - if he's a tall boy, he may be worried about hitting the top. It may be easier to get him to go onto the back seat as it's not such of a leap up. Has he got other dogs? It could be that his greyhound needs to see another dog jump in first so he knows what to do. Moira x |
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Post by ragsysmum on Jul 6, 2012 5:19:27 GMT -5
Has the dog never jumped in? One of mine would not jump into the car when it was in the garage with the boot open but would do as long as the car was standing out on the drive. I had another who would only jump in if the car was parked on grass but not if it was on gravel or solid ground....obviously something to do with discomfort to his feet. New dogs here usually learn by having one of us sitting in front offering cocktail sausage or liver cake over the front seat into the back just out of reach whilst the other stands at the open boot holding the dog. Guess we all jump through hoops for these hounds, one way or another.
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