6 month old Goldendoodle is afraid to jump in & out of the car

[Lisette Palmer]

Charley refuses to jump in and out of my KIA Sorento.  He seems to like to go with me.  I have tried luring him with treats but He acts like he is scared to climb in or out.  Do you think he may have joint problems?  He is a happy, energetic dog otherwise.  I appreciate any comments.  Thanks, Charley's Lisette

[Lisette Palmer]

I have arthritic thumbs and gave up on the clicker.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Can you make a click or cluck sound with your mouth, like you do to encourage a horse to move on. That works just as well as a mechanical clicker.  A small bell like a jingle bell (distinctive sound) also works well.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

One of my doodles has never feared jumping in and out of cars (ironically he's afraid of everything else but not jumping) and the other will put his front paws up and then look at me as if to say "ok the rest is on you!". I generally do what others have, I have the other dog go first and then the puppy (7months) who is afraid, will sometimes follow or I will need to use a treat. Your baby is super cute!

[Lisette Palmer]

Thanks. 

[Stella]

Is he fine once he's in the car? No car sickness or anything? My guy used to get car sick and he always refused to jump into the car until we fixed the car sickness. How old is he? While still growing, you don't really want him to jump up or down that high - too hard in the joints. Does he jump happily at other times? Unfortunately, as a canine rehab practitioner, the first thing I think of when I hear about a dog that doesn't like to jump is joint problems. So, if you've ruled out everything else as an issue, I would see your vet or a rehab practitioner and get him checked out.

[Lisette Palmer]

Thank you Stella.  He was car sick when I put him in the back and drove to the beach but never in the front. He is 6 months old.  He is playful & runs but I don't notice him jumping.  I do not have stairs either so he is not used to stairs.  Can you recommend a rehab practitioner in the Portland, OR area?  

[Stella]

Hi Lisette, you can try looking for someone near you at these websites,
Canine Rehab Institute. http://www.caninerehabinstitute.com/Find_A_Therapist.html
University of Tennessee http://ccrp.utvetce.com/practitioners.asp
American Association of Rehab Vets. https://www.rehabvets.org/Referrals.lasso

FYI, a rehab vet will look at things with a different viewpoint than other rehab practitioners. Just as you would get a different viewpoint from a doctor vs a physiotherapist!! (I'm a people physio that also,does canine rehab, in Canada!!).

[Lisette Palmer]

thank you.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I remember some people saying when we first taught our puppies to jump in, that they would open the door on the other side as well. It appears like it's more space I guess. Also with Yogi, if he is standing with his face right up to the car
, he won't jump. He has to be about a foot or so away, then we just say jump and he goes right in.

[Ron Carnes]

I taught Zack by opening both rear doors. I went to the opposite side with a high value treat while soneone else held him about 5' from the other door. When I called him up he came. 

 

 

[Lisette Palmer]

Good ideas, thanks

[Diane and Alma]

I used to drive a Honda Odyssey minivan.  Alma could jump in and out easily.  I now have a Toyota Highlander and I have to lift her in every time -ugh!  She accompanies me daily as I drop off and pick up my kids to/from school.  The Toyota sits up higher and also has a plastic foot step on the inside of the door.  Her paws slipped on the plastic when she tried to jump in the first few times so now she doesn't even try.  And the back hatch is so tall, plus the fact that she is tentative about jumping in, means I continue to lift her in.  Luckily, she does hop out on her own.  Maybe I should consider this when I buy my next car.

Charley is super cute.  I bet your granddaughters love to visit.