We started our dog out riding from day one(8 weeks). No truly bad riding experiences. On the other hand, we went quite a few places he did not like. He had elbow problems when he was young and made a lot of trips to have his elbows worked on, sometimes having to stay for the day. We also made a 22 hour trip no stopping except for the vet stop to see a specialist. I actually think that may have been the deciding straw for him. He decided he does not want to ride in the truck.

SO I started taking him for rides a bunch, only fun places, to the park, to get ice cream, to visit our vet(he loves that place) anywhere that I could think would be fun, and no hard training really, just fun stuff. I seemed to make a small dent, but he still will refuse to ride if he has a choice. And that means you better have a leash on him before he knows he's riding. And he does not act like that with anything else. I need a good treat to get him in the truck, my husbnad will just pick him up and put him in.

Once in he seems happy enough as long as the window can be down. If the window has to be shut, he will lay down and just stare into the door jam. We make a bid effort to make riding fun. We save great toys only for riding, but he will ignore them even if they would be great at home.

This is quite disheartening since I had intended to have him go anywhere I could take him. My husband says maybe he just really loves it at home. Maybe we have made him too comfortable when we are gone. :-)

Is there anything I can do to change his mind about riding? I am willing to put in the work, but all I have come up with so far of taking him fun places hasn't made much of a dent.

Wow, I was really hoping someone would have some ideas that I haven't had. Bummer.

Julie, when I read your post, I was reminded of a great article I recently read in the "Whole Dog Journal" about this very subject. They talked about using counter-conditioning and desensitization to get a dog over his car phobia. They started all the way back to the beginning with this dog who would get stressed as soon as the leash was put on to go to the car. Only one step was dealt with at a time: putting the leash on, then walking to the car, then getting in the car with the door open, then with the door closed, then starting the engine, then moving down the driveway. You get the picture. It was a weeks or maybe even months-long process.

Here is a link to the WDJ website with this particular issue. You have to be a subscriber to read the whole thing, or you can purchase the back issue with this article. It would probably be well worth the few bucks.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/14_4/features/Behavior-Modification-In-Large-Dogs_20233-1.html

How old is your dog now? Any chance at all he's suffering car sickness? I ask because I have a dog who learned to dislike the car and/or the truck because he was getting motion sickness. Not to the point of vomiting, but he would sit with his head hanging, drool excessively, and just generally look green around the gills. Our vet recommended Dramamine, and it helped. He's almost four now, and he no longer gets car sick, but he still is not crazy about riding in the car. He tolerates it is about all.

Edited by Cheri Grissom (02/11/2012 07:42 AM)
Edit reason: added link

Hey Julie, I see Cheri posted some good information as I was getting some thoughts together. Was thinking much along the same lines.

What about some fun games in and around the vehicle, ending with him not going anywhere. Just in and out.

Not sure what kind of vehicle you have but can you open, say both back doors. Line him up and toss a ball through. Maybe have hubby on the other side if he's more treat oriented. Not sure how bad the elbow is, that may not be possible.

Maybe a step up thing, like an overturned hard plastic box, container, block of wood, might help with the distance up. The jumping thru may be more of an end result. You may have to start marking just the step up.

Never had a dog that I didn't have to work on the opposite with. They can't wait to get in the vehicle. But if I did, I think it would be all about good things happening in and around it. Fun, quick marker sessions in front, at the back. One door open, all doors open.

Do you have a touch command? Maybe get him to touch the bumper, the door, the seat. Once he's comfortable just being around and in it, maybe start feeding him a couple of his meals in it. Just in to eat then out for some fun, not going anywhere.

Just some thoughts.

That is a great idea, to "play" in the truck. I bought a leerburg baitbag awhile back, actually two, one for me and hubby, and they are the greatest things ever! I can keep treats with me all the time with no ruined pockets! SO anytime, I can just pop open the doors and hop in for a treat. Or a meal, or whatever, great idea!

Yes, I do not have him constantly hop on and off things, even though his elbows as far as we know have been normal for a year+. That has led to the problem of him not wanting to listen to me if he does get on something I want him to get off of, we just haven't practiced it. But he is not allowed on furniture so that isn't an issue, except for the bed in the spare room where he sneaks on when he can.

But he doesn't actually hop in the truck much, he steps front feet up and I put a back leg on the running board and he hops in. That came from me trying to force him into the truck, and then it just became a habit. He isn't fighting, he just thinks this is how we do it. In a way I like it because he doesn't do that pulling up with the front legs jump, but in a way I just wish he would get in by himself.

he does hop out on his own. He is just a little big for me to have to help him out. :-)

As for the sickness issue, he doesn't get sick at all. Even a little bit. One day he just decided he is not getting in the truck anymore. he will still try to throw a "i'm not getting in" fit every now and then,. Usually at the vet's office. Oddly, he loves the vets office and doesn't like to leave. So when we get to the parking lot he will lay down and refuse to get in the truck. Go figure.

is it possible his hips are hurting him? i had a service dog that started having problems i made a small ramp so he could walk up in the explorer. good luck

Whats he do when you get someplace? Is he anxious to get the heck away from the truck or is he excited to start doing something?

I wouldn't think so judging from his antics on our morning hikes, and how he exercises in the yard.

I bought an extending ramp when he was little so he could walk up into my jeep liberty, but it doesn't work well in the truck door. He never really liked it much, although I make him use it if we have to go somewhere in the jeep. That is too high for him to jump into, or out of. He has very seldom ridden in the jeep, and has really hated it from day one, even when he didn't mind the truck. I don't blame him there, it's not the best set-up.

Can you crate him? My dogs do best in the car when they are crated...just an idea

He does crate in the house if I need it, but it doesn't fit in the truck. he has a very good comfortable set-up once he is in. I'm not sure that making him be in a crate would make him want to ride more. I would think that it would make him like it even less. he doesn't dislike his crate, but in the truck he would not be able to look out the window which is his favorite thing to do once he's in there.

I think making it a game holds a lot of promise. I can't wait to get started!