Can't get him into the car

Newfs Forever

New member
Here we go again. Bodie does not want to get into the car. Unfortunately, he needs cruciate surgery. I will have a consultation w/ortho vet 12/06. I am already driving myself nuts.

I am sure he will need some extensive PT. How often do you bother the neighbor.

I have used "high value" treats, such as hot dogs, dried chicken. No dice. When we have gotten him in, he freezes. He does not vomit nor drool. He just freezes and doesn't move.

I do have some floral essence calming, but it doesn't seem to do much good.

In the past I have used ramps, but that doesn't seem to work. I do have the pet loader stairs and he wants no part of those either.

Any suggestions, ideas?

TIA,
 

wrknnwf

Active member
This is my problem also. Bother the neighbor as often as you need to.

In the past, I had a problem because Spirit was afraid to get in. If I opened the door on both sides of the car, and stood on the opposite side holding his leash through the car, it helped. Also having someone get in the car and lure him with treats helped. But nothing was quick or easy.

Now Spirit is too gimpy to get in by himself. That's where the help'em up harness comes in handy. And I build him some steps that are wider and longer out of pink insulation panels from the hardware. Covered them in some carpet. He doesn't mind stepping up on them, but still balks like a mule when it comes to going all the way in.

So now I rely on someone else to help me. I don't like asking anymore than you do, but it's essential sometimes.

You may want to start feeding all his meals from the car for a week or so before you have to go. Just set his bowl inside where he can reach it without getting in. Leave the steps there too. Give him plenty of time to decide to to for it. Next meal start moving it by inches to where he has to eventually get in. That worked for my other dogs, but Spirit is just to crippled to hop in by himself. Also throw in a couple of his favorite toys.

Other than that, I don't have much to offer. It's a very real problem and I sympathize.
 

Angela

Super Moderator
I thankfully have never had to deal with this but have you tried either giving him a Gravol pill or ginger cookies about 1/2 hour before you want him to get into the car?

My mind is going!! Is Brody a Newf?
 

NinaA

New member
I'm sad to say this is why we can no longer have a Newf. It took our neighbor's SUV, my neighbors along with their son who had to drive 10 or so miles to get her, plus my husband and I to get Moonlight to the vet's office the last two times. I simply can't do that to them again, or to me.
 

Newfs Forever

New member
I have the pet loader stairs for him, that are quite sturdy. I have not tried a ramp with him, as I don't have one. However, with Sam and Dex I had borrowed a ramp and it was too wobbly. Both Sam and Dex were 25 - 30lbs. heavier than Bodie.

I have a Honda Element. Bodie is now 6 1/2 yrs. old.
 
I have a rescue I had to use a lift for the first few weeks, and we physically couldn't hoist him up into our van, so we begged a neighbor to build us a step, similar to a pallet, and he did, just put the boards closer together, then we put a rubber-backed rug on it. Simply reducing the height of that step by 4" made the difference. Of course we have to stow it in the van with the dogs to travel, it's automatic now. When dogs are not with us, we can turn it over and it makes a perfect sectioned holder for groceries, and other purchases.
 

NinaA

New member
An Element is not that high. Are you putting him in the back or in a seat. My Newfs never, ever, none of them, liked the seats, but they'd get in the back of an SUV and ride anywhere. He may feel he needs more room than a seat, thus the deck.
 

wrknnwf

Active member
Forgot to mention this...

Braunsweiger will make most dogs do anything. Just don't throw a baggie with liverwurst in the car and forget it. If the dog doesn't eat it, plastic and all, it will be really, really gross in a day or so.
 
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