Zoey - fear of car's

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Sumac3890

Forums Sage
Zoey hates to walk by a parked car and really does not like being put in my car. She does not want to walk out the garage either to get into the car. Right now I am so frustrated.
I harnesed her up, put on her leash and went to take her out the garage door and nope....pull, back up and pull. I picked her up put her down in the garage and nope she wanted no part in walking out that garage. So I picked her up and - the problem starts when you place her in the car. She turns and as I am trying to fasten her to the seat belt she is pushing on me the whole time to get out. Then I get the door closed and she freezes. I have tried several treats and cheese, meatballs...nothing gets her excited- nothing. Have not tryed a toy yet, will try that next.

She does not go for walks yet because she walks a few feet and gets scared of the big world out there.

Zak was so darn easy and nothing bothers him.

I have never had a sheltie that did not go crazy over food.
 
try a small crate for her until she adjusts.....
Dixie tried to get into Callie's closed crate when a motorcycle went by just after I had gotten her and Cran out of the car for a rest stop. if the crate had been open, Dixie would have jumped in and waited there. she was not happy that she couldn't get in but it was a safe spot for her......
 
Could you take a step back and just reward for walking towards the garage, throw a party and take a break? Do that a few times, then take one step into the garage, throw a party--play, treat, cheer. If she starts to worry, take a step back , party and cheer and try again the next day/time?
 
Shelby has never been a fan of cars either. I really do not know why. My only guess is that she used to get car sick when she was a pup.

We worked with her using treats as described above. She will now walk out into the garage and stand by the car waiting to be put in. She is by no way overly excited about it but she will do it if treats are involved. The funny thing is that she does enjoy going for a ride. For the most part she is very good in he car. If you ask her if she wants to go for a ride she runs around like a nut until it is time to go out to the car.

We do a lot of traveling with her so you would think she would love getting in the car.
 
We are making progress!!! I cooked some chicken yesterday and go the idea late yesterday after trying treats, toys and nothing worked. How about her food. So I took a small amout out with chicken and we put the bowl in the car. First I gave her a few pieces outside and it worked she relaxed after a while and my husband and I worked with her.
Then took her for a walk and treated her by the parked cars. I then went and got Zak and we took a short walk. A neighbor was out and she came to see her, then we ened up talking between her parked cars and Zoey eventually layed down. We were so thrilled.
Today I have done the same again and will do it later when it's cooler. I give her less of her food at meals so she is not over treated.
 
What you're describing isn't that unusual - it seems to pop up a lot in behaviour books. The main recommendation I've seen is to feed meals in the car. If the dog is really afraid start feeding just outside the car, then open the car door and feed and work up from there.
 
Sumac3890 said:
We are making progress!!! I cooked some chicken yesterday and go the idea late yesterday after trying treats, toys and nothing worked. How about her food. So I took a small amout out with chicken and we put the bowl in the car. First I gave her a few pieces outside and it worked she relaxed after a while and my husband and I worked with her.
Then took her for a walk and treated her by the parked cars. I then went and got Zak and we took a short walk. A neighbor was out and she came to see her, then we ened up talking between her parked cars and Zoey eventually layed down. We were so thrilled.
Today I have done the same again and will do it later when it's cooler. I give her less of her food at meals so she is not over treated.
Click to expand...

Susan, I think you are on the right track and should see good progress. You are doing exactly what I do with a car fearful dog. I agree with the suggestion that a crate might feel safer to Zoey. I have a couple who ride fine when crated but are very nervous if I just seat belt them in...the crate is like a safety blanket for them.

Trini
 
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