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.

[Pat and Traveler]

I had this same problem with Trav!  I have a Honda CRV, and he now jumps onto the back seat, passenger side floor and from there up onto the seat.  I generally keep the back, driver's side seat down flat, and the front passenger seat forward about as far as it will go.  The back door has to be open all the way.  With this configuration, he'll jump up onto the backseat floor, which isn't really a very high jump.  It took some coaxing with high value treats to get this going on.  :)  He will jump in through the open hatch door in back, but I hate to see him jump out from there onto concrete.  Those long, skinny poodle-type legs just look like they shouldn't be jolting into concrete too often! 

[Adrienne]

I agree with you regarding the long, skinny legs and jumping onto concrete--not a good mix.  But, I am going to have to resolve my problem fast because he is getting BIGGER, LOL!!

[Dee & Chloe]

I have the same problem  with Chloe and I know I am manipulated! The only time she will go in  is when both doors are open in an open space and there is a high value human friend at the other door urging her on. If it is me at the door, she will refuse!

[Adrienne]

Well it sounds like Dougie is in good company. Glad to know that I am not the only one with this dilemma. Thx for all of the great advice. I am going to try some "better" treats and also move the seat to give him more room. I am waiting to see the video...I might get s

[Adrienne]

...some good tips. I accidentally hit reply. Thx DK family.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, we have that problem with Groucho Too.  He will jump into the car even if I ask him to wait for Charlie, but he will not jump out.  I think it was too much pressure after his surgery, but he always wants to go somewhere so he will jump into the back of the car.  We also have a ramp that we used for baths to get him up to the sinks, but Harpo just jumps right up onto the counter.  We prefer to have them wait to be lifted down or to walk the ramp down.

Having then put their front feet up and then wait to have their rear end lifted is rather a middle ground, or you could try a ramp. They fold up nicely for getting into and out of a car.  My friend (whose dog has back problems) always uses her ramp for getting into and out of the car.  He can't jump at all, but loves to be on the go anywhere.

[Adrienne]

Nice to know that I can get a ramp as a last resort :).  Thx for the advice.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Finn loves the car and he'll wait by the door to jump into the backseat. But he has trouble jumping into my friend's SUV. He'll get his front paws up and try to scramble in but I usually have to give him an "assist" with his back end. Seems he needs more space to jump that high.  He is able to jump into a wide open back end.  Hope that giving Dougie more room to jump on to the floor works. If not, maybe a ramp or step stool?  I had to use a leash and treats to train FInn to jump out.  Now it's funny, he waits for the leash or the command before he jumps out (an unexpected beni).  Hope you guys are doing well :)  

[Miss Ellie]

I think we have spoiled our little girl in this respect.  Since we brought her home we always picked her up and placed her in the van because we didn't want her to jump and hurt herself when she was so little. To this day she still expects us to pick her up and put her in the vehicles even though she loves going for a car ride.  Sorry no words of advice Adrienne.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

LOL...nice to hear Ellie and Enzo have yet another trait in common! ;)

[Debbie & Gibbs]

What if he had those little step stools that you get for children, would he walk up a couple of steps and then jump on the back seat.

[Heather & Brinkley]

My friend's doodle jumped in her SUV once and never again after that.  It turned out that it was the start of him showing his hips were hurting and that he has hip issues. He was young.  I hope this isn't the case but just throwing it out there so you can consider all options.