Question: How can I get Dougie to jump into the SUV????

[Adrienne]

OK, I am at my wits end.  Dougie is now 50+ lbs and will not jump into the back seat of my Honda Pilot.  He accidentally did it once so I know that it is possible, but, he will not even attempt to do it again.  I have tried treats, toys, having my kids jump in first, etc.  Nothing seems to work.  I have found that if I help him a little, he will clumsily crawl his way up into the seat.  And, if we are in a cement parking lot or area with a hard surface, I usually have to pick him up to get him out...  I have a strange feeling that I am being manipulated...Is there anything else that I can do?  Picking him up is quickly turning into a non-option.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My trainer helped me by one of us standing behind the dog at the orphan doorway. The other was at the other open door, leaning in, encouraging and offering a very high value treat.

[Kris and Sawyer]

We are having the same problem with Sawyer! He doesn't want to go near the car anymore. And the only thing that has happened is he's bigger now. I have to physically pick him up and guide him in. We have an SUV but it is not huge....Durango Citadel. The good news is that this inspired me to start leaving him home un-crated. He's done fabulous. I've left him 2 hours or so and no problems. He hates his crate, so this is good.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This may sound silly, but JD has to have the door open all the way or he will not try to jump in or out of the car. That may be Dougie's problem with the parking lots, as there is often a car parked too close for you to open the door fully. 

Since JD's ruptured lumbar disc, he can't jump onto the back seat. He can jump down, but not up. We solved that problem by moving the seat far enough that he can step into my SUV at floor level and then get up onto the seat from there. Not sure if that might be a possibility with your Pilot. I have a Lexus RX and have to let him in on the passenger front side floor. From there he gets up on the seat and then walks over the console into the back seat. My DD has a CRV and her front passenger seat moves forward enough for him to get in on the floor in the backseat. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Interesting point. Luca won't get in the car in the really cramped garage.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When my DD's car is in the garage next to mine, I have to back my car out first and then go back in the house for JD. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murph is the same way....he needs lots of room before he'll jump in.   If I'm putting him in the car in the garage I have to lift him in....if we're out and the door is wide open he'll jump right in.  Guinness will always jump in...he loves "road trips" and gets so excited when I open the garage door that there's no stopping him.

[Kyoko]

My poodle had same issue. But I up graded the treat to cheese and he did it once not for me, but for my daughter.

Then he continued to jump in for my daughter, and eventually began to do it for me, too... I , too think that I was being manipulated!! 

[BG and Gavin]

Oh I know this problem well.  Gavin as a puppy jumped into the back of my SUV and banged his head on the roof.  So after that, he would not jump in.  I tried everything.  Then I was watching a trainer on TV who was dealing with this problem and he said simply to give them another option.  So I started letting him go through the back passenger door, onto the floor, onto the seat and then behind the drivers seat, where the split back seat is folded down flat.  They become creatures of habit for sure.  He is not ever interested in going in the back driver side door.  He does however jump straight up from the ground to the back seat of my husbands full size pick up (I have to step on the running board to get in) with no problem.  However, once again he will only enter from the passenger side (sigh).

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Exact same problem here! We have a Jeep Wrangler...back seat removed, just for Enzo. Now......I KNOW this dog can make flying leaps at balls and frisbees, but when it comes to jumping I to the back of the Jeep...nada! And she LOVES going for rides! It is hysterical to see her turn her body just right, so either I or my DH, picks her up. Same with jumping out...she will only come out on her own if I pull her...but I hate to that!
Think we will work on this today...have some left over chicken she will love as a treat.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"Flying leaps" is the key. They often need a running start, or at least they think they do. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

LOL....we'll try giving her a running start.....video at 6! ;)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can't wait!