Ann, I'm sorry that your dog is causing you so much frustration. Sounds like such a sweet pet otherwise.

This may be a little drastic, but I know of two people who managed to solve their dog's car sickness/fear problem this way (their dogs were just like yours, so stressed that food/toy motivation didn't work anymore).

What they did is move their dogs into the car. Crate for one, no crate for the other, but both dogs spent the next couple of months living full time (!!) in the car.
They stayed there during the day, slept there at night, got fed there, got their toys there and the owners only paid attention to the dogs when they were in the car (ignored the dogs when they were let out to do their business).
Of course the dogs only received "visits" when they were calm and behaving well

For the first few days the dogs were stressed and didn't eat their food, but it didn't take long for hunger (and boredom!) to take over.

As I said, this is definitely drastic, but it solved the problem for those dogs. They were eventually moved back into the house and they're now both fine with the car.

In fact, one of them (an airedale terrier) now prefers sleeping in the car at night or when things get hectic in the house during the day (yep, kids, lots of kids).

I don't know if you'd be willing to try such a strange solution, but I thought I'd pass it on, seeing as it worked so well for those two dogs I know.

Good luck!

Take him to the park or where ever you have class, or to petsmart, or someplace other than home to practice the car routine just like you did at home. After he has learned the car is ok at home now he needs to learn it's ok to get in everywhere. Wow- it sure sounds like he must have really been traumatized with a car somewhere in his past. Who knows since he's a rescue. That might help. We always hope dogs generalize, but they don't.
Alison Voore

Ann, it does sound like your dog has a case of car sickness, thus the anxiety about getting in the car. At this point, I wouldn't even try luring him in with treats or food, or giving any food at all in the car or before any trip in the car. Feed several hours before having him get in the car to reduce feelings of nausea. The food only makes car sickness worse. I think his tummy should be empty while riding (no water either).

I would think the only exception to this is giving the dog some form of ginger a few minutes before the car ride, which is supposed to be good for nausea (like ginger snap cookies). Do a Google search for "dog car sickness" to find out more about the different forms of ginger. Ed Frawley also talks about ginger on one of his DVD's, but can't remember what form he advised using. I'll see if I can find it today and post back. I believe Dennis Jones once posted about ginger snaps and cream cheese helping as well (something about his having been in the Navy ).

Also consider getting Herbal Calm for your dog's anxiety, giving it to him an hour or so before the car ride, which will help in some form, perhaps relaxing him to a point where he may be more willing to try and get in: http://www.leerburg.com/48.htm

Almost forgot to mention, if it's at all possible to get him into a plastic dog crate in the car, that may be a big help to him. It would keep him from looking outside the windows at everything blurring past him. Looking backwards or sideways out windows can definitely cause nausea. A plastic crate will very much limit his view.

It will take time, short steps, and patience. I wish him all the luck with getting over this, so his life can be even more full accompanying you places.