She should just keep putting the dog in the car, maybe go for more short trips. The dog will get used to it fast enough.

Just takes a little time.

Just be patient, I think they are just a little afraid of the change, maybe afraid they are being taken away.

sushipup... she told me today she has been leaving them home because of that, but I agree, she should continue to take them. They usually go with her everywhere!

vala55.. that might be it too. I am wondering too if the old car still had her husband's scent (it has been 2 yrs. since he passed away though) , would that be possible?

I doubt it. It's just a new place. Tell her to drive them around the block twice a day for a week, and I'll bet the dog will adjust quickly.

anything is possible...does she have anything of her late hubs to put in the car? really though i can't stand the new car smell either!

She could make the trips very positive from a dogs point of view-drive-thru McD with shared fries, or a trip to the park. Sparky is very food motivated-what about a kibble tossed in for the dog to get?

Lisa that is exactly the way I trained my dogs to not play games when going for a ride. They love to run errands with me. I always run through a drive thru and get a plain kiddie burger for them to share when we get home. They equate the truck with the treat at the end.

My dogs are also allowed only to enter and exit on the passenger side. Eliminates the push to get out when I exit. They are not allowed to exit until I say so. Took a little extra training time but well worth it.

The neighbor should just not allow the little dog free run until it is accustomed to getting in the car. Just put her on a leash. Problem solved.

Another thing she could try is to engage you or someone to keep an eye on the dog who refused to get in while she simply drives off without the dog.

She needs to stop chasing the dog. it's all a great game for the dog. Leash or simply pick up before leaving the house. Dog needs to learn who the master is.

I can't believe (well yes I can) this is being asked (except the part of maybe an aversion to something about the car) about a little dog who can easily be picked up. Similar to parents who let thier toddlers run off or through tantrums. Pick them up! You're bigger. LOL

Thank you all for your responses. I just talked to her and asked if she had anything of her husband's she could put in the car. She said she will put one of his jackets in the car and take them tomorrow for a ride. She has taken them to McD and ate in the car with them but the one just doesn't like the car she said. I told her......maybe it's the color? lol! not really, it's pretty! :)

They should get a treat after they get in the car or after they get home.

Odd as it may sound, have her put a dish of charcoal in the car. Plain charcoal, none with lighter fluid on it already.If it is because of the new car smell, this will remove it after about a week. As she had no problem with the dog getting in her old car, this may be the problem.

Tami

Give them treats when they get home after the drive. LOL

Wildchild..I was sort of thinking the same thing, it sounded like a parent who lets the kid call the shots! I was just curious if others have had dogs that act like that so I could pass on any info. to her. I don't have any inside pets, just a barn cat. It sounds like your dogs are trained....hers...not so much! :)

Mary, she should consider tethering the dog while in the car, I would hate to have him jump out of the car and get hurt. Please tell your neighbor good luck, while I understand that we are able to force our will on our pets it is sometimes tough to do.

We drive back and forth (1000 miles each way) to our vacation home with our two large dogs - a one year old boy and a 14+ arthritic old girl - 3 or 4 times a year. They are great travelers and we make up the back seat of our Tahoe as a big bed and take two days each way, usually staying somewhere in Kansas on the way. The old girl (70 lbs) can't get in and out of the car on her own anymore because of her arthritis, but she helps/cooperates and it's usually not a problem. Last September my husband had knee surgery while there and stayed longer than I could be away from work, so I had drive home alone with the dogs. After our first stop, I helped old girl back in the car and junior just stood there as if to say, "now help me." I explained to him that he is more agile and a lot younger, even in dog years, than me and told him to hop on in. He did as he was told and after a few more stops (including Arbys), we arrived at our hotel in Russell, Ks. The only problem this time was that the old girl wouldn't budge from the middle of the back seat. Coaxing and bribing didn't help and, with her arthritis, I couldn't pull or manhandle her for fear of hurting her. I also couldn't just leave her in the car alone, so junior and I just had to sit on the grass beside the car and wait her out. After about an hour, she felt nature calling and finally got up and asked for help. After she took care of business, she was happy to go in the motel and was fine the rest of the trip. I don't know what got into her, but I've never seen her so obstinate.

My guess is that the dog doesn't like something she smells in that car.

If it is brand new it may be off-gassing, or there may just be *something* icky she senses. (Somebody on the automotive line left something in a door or under the carpeting, etc.) Could even be a faulty exhaust system; the dog senses the gasses building up in the passenger compartment. I take it neither of these pups has soiled the car?