Refuses to jump in car boot

[cumbrianjack]

We adopted 2 gorgeous ex-racers 3 months ago, no problems with house training, walking on lead,other dogs just lots of patience on our part paid off well. We have always had hounds mostly greys but some lurchers, always those that nobody wanted, young and old.

These two are brother and sister, they will argue sometimes but never fight. The bitch usually wins the argument which we find is the 'law of the dog' anyway. So life is sweet with our two except for Boris who now has decided he doesn't like to jump in the car boot anymore. He is a big dog, about 30 kilos or more and we are pensioners and I find it so difficult to lift him. Tried all sorts of treats, throwing them into the back which gets Alfa in the boot but not Boris. Tried him on his own and with his sister but just the same. We need to use the car ( an i40 Hyundai ) it is not just an option.He didn't really bother at first and nothing has changed with our routine. The boot is one of the biggest you get, plenty of room to move about for both. They lie on memory foam bed and a luxy fleece ( lucky dogs ) as when we first got them they had bald bums and their fur was 'tatty'---but not so now!

Any help however small would be greatly appreciated, it's a problem that we havent come across before.

[lurcherlot]

Had you thought of a ramp?

[cumbrianjack]

Many thanks for your tip, we stapled carpet to a strong board for grip and he still wouldn't have it

[ragsysmum]

If you practice with the ramp first on flat ground with him walking along it, them slightly raised on a brick, then on a box before the steeper slope up into the boot, you may find he will learn quite quickly especially encouraged by treats.

[cumbrianjack]

Thank you for your advice, we have tried every conceivable treat, tried leaving it flat in the living room, playing with it, gradually raising it to car height and still no joy! We bought another one from Aldi (they have them on offer at the moment) waste of money. We have the notion that he has had a bad experience from his racing days, perhaps not being kindly transported. He also has a very large scar on one side of his chest ( not that that has anything to do with it!) but we don't know his past history so eveything is speculation.  It is so frustrating for us as we need him to do this simple thing, his sister very readily will jump in with a piece of our finest mature cheddar. We live 'out in the sticks' so finding a good dog behaviourist is out of the question. We/he is missing out on so much.

[ragsysmum]

Can he do stairs/steps? You can get dog steps off Ebay and he might climb up those into the boot or maybe through the side door onto the back seat if that is an alternative. I think some people use them for smaller or older dogs to help them climb onto a sofa or human bed.

[cumbrianjack]

We really appreciate all your advice, I have tried something similar, using a pouffe but as soon as the back door is open, he runs away.

    I have even tried a different car but the problem remains the same. It is not an option using the back seat either as we transport other folk frequently. We are 'pulling our hair out'.

[whosyer]

I just recently came across your post trying to research reasons why my retired racer will no longer jump into our car. We’ve had her just over six months now. When we first got her, she would jump into our SUV like a gazelle and loved going on car rides. Then on October 2nd of this year when my husband picked her up from dog daycare, she wouldn’t jump into the car and we’ve had issues ever since that date. My husband and I usually go together to drop off and pick her up, but on that day I had a previously commitment so he did both. We normally only leave her for 3 hours or so. Said he had no problem getting her there and nothing happened on the ride there. I spoke with the daycare and asked if anything out of the ordinary had happened and they said she ha a great time playing with a new friend. We have coerced her since that day by using treats as lures but here we are two months later and she is refusing to jump into the car with treats! We’ve tried everything, including ramps. Consulted a dog trainer because, like you, feeling terrible because she’s missing out on so much. He suggested only using treats and having her jump onto the back floorboard instead of onto the seat (she won’t have anything to do with the rear of the car). That seemed to work. She got into our car and then the trainer and I went for a ride because he wanted to see if she was at ease riding in a car. As always, she was enjoying the ride. After the trainer left, I used the same method and my husband, myself and Mia took a drive and stopped for a shake for us and a hamburger for her. Next day, wanted no part of the floorboard method and wouldn’t jump into the car, no matter what we tried. I really don’t think anything is wrong with her medically, as she zooms at home and jumps up on furniture, the bed, etc., without difficulty. I’m at my wits end! We live in a condo so we rely on taking her to daycare, dog parks, etc. to blow off steam. Did you resolve your problem? If so, how?

[cumbrianjack]

Sorry but I have just seen your message.

I can totally relate to what you are/have gone through.

We are no wiser to a solution either. There has been a couple of instances when with a piece of beef or turkey, when thrown into the back of the 'boot' has tempted him to jump in. We praised him like he 'had the cure for the common cold'! but it hasn't lasted.

I hope by now you have found a solution, we have not and find it so difficult to lift him as we are seniors.

So still living in hope