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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Greyhound and car

12 replies

Wornoutbear · 09/04/2018 10:24

Some ideas, please. My last grey was no problem in the car, hopped in happily, and slept all the way through a trip. My current girl - also a rescue racer - although she travels reasonably well - just won't get in the car. DH has to pick her up and put her in! She doesn't fight it, just dangles as we put her in and nothing will persuade her. She doesn't like going past vehicles that have open boots/doors either. I can only think she's been horribly treated when racing, and has been so frightened that it alarms her when she sees something like this. Once she's in she settles down, but getting her in! Any ideas? (Oh and she doesn't get on the couch either!)

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 09/04/2018 10:41

I'd do lots of sitting in the open boot with her while you give her loads of her preferred treats when you aren't going anywhere, and as many trips to somewhere she loves going (even if it means you drive to somewhere you would normally walk to, like a park or woods) as you can so that you get a massively positive experience of going in the car. Treats when she has been put in there too.

ThymeLord · 11/04/2018 14:43

Our new boy is exactly the same. As soon as he sees the boot open he plants his back feet and won't move. He has to be lifted in and he's near 40kg We have only had him 4 weeks so it is very early days but, as CMOT advises, we have just been making the boot a place to hang out, treats for approaching the boot, treats fed off the back, treats on the very edge of the beds in the boots, then lifting him in, treating him with something amazing and lifting straight back out etc. Trying to create a positive experience of the car. He's absolutely fine once he is in - will settle down and go to sleep - but he just won't get in. It does seem to be working as when we went out on Sunday he jumped in (with the help of some roast chicken being waved at him from the back seat). I'd just keep persevering.

scattyhattie · 11/04/2018 16:32

Sometimes its the shape of boot that puts them off jumping if roof doesn't seem that high or has a boot lip, my greys didn't like jumping in old hatchback car but happily got in van style car. Its easier on the back rather than pick up fully to lift greyhound front end in first then boost butt in.

MiaowTheCat · 13/04/2018 11:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ICantCopeAnymore · 13/04/2018 12:03

Is she food motivated? Or toy?

Why is it a problem to lift her in, if that's what she prefers? Does she display any frightened behaviour or is it just laziness?

One of my dogs refuses point blank to get in the car because he literally cannot be bothered. He's not good or toy motivated and he hates walking anywhere. He's just a stroppy bugger who isn't keen on moving much at all unless you're taking him to Pets at Home

RatherBeRiding · 13/04/2018 12:05

Icantcope - have you ever tried to lift a resisting greyhound . It's at least a 2 man job and then you have the bloody dangly legs to deal with.....

PerfectlyDone · 13/04/2018 12:05

How long have you had her?

I think I'd persevere with high value treats, cut up frankfurter sausages persuaded our grey to do most things he did not want to do/was scared to do.

Hand-feed your dog's preferred treat outside the boot, near the boot, hand just inside the boot and see how far you can get her to take it from you. Persevere. Once she seems less worried, throw the treat in to the boot, near the lip of the boot, then further away until she does it.

MiaowTheCat · 13/04/2018 12:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

villainousbroodmare · 13/04/2018 12:22

I don't know about "horribly treated when racing" as a reason not to hop into your car. Natural caution, mild car sickness etc much more likely.
Our dog used to hate the car as a puppy and now goes to lie in it if any door is open. Took a while and lots of short trips to nice places. Also think about where she is sitting - the very back of the car can be a car sickness black spot!

ICantCopeAnymore · 13/04/2018 12:37

Haha, fair enough. I've had to lift a seven stone large breed into a car but no gangly legs

Would she walk up a ramp?

Original poster

Wornoutbear · 14/04/2018 18:51

Hi, all - and thanks for taking the time to reply. We have tried treats, and sitting with her in the boot, but that's not worked - mind you, I've not tried roast chicken (or bacon) which are her fav things! I really don't think a ramp would be any good as she shies away as soon as the boot is opened. I don't know if she's just bone idle, as I say she won't even jump on the settee, prefers to be on the bed on the floor (no bad thing really) We've had her a year and one week! She's such a good girl, but def has "issues" - oh well - we carry on - at at least once DH has put her in the car, she settles down. Thank you all for reading

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 14/04/2018 18:53

How about a ramp? You sit in the boot with a rotisserie chicken?!
Yep I'm mad enough to consider doing that. My hound was terrifed of the car and would wee every time. We used to sit in the boot together and cuddle and I would give her treats!

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