[Jonathonmc]

Hi can anyone help. I have a 11 month old springer spaniel. Lately he has become scared of getting in the boot of the car. He just lies down infront of the car and refuses to go near it. Once we have had to lift him in. He tries to make a dart out of it. He was never a problem until a month ago.
He is highly food driven but when scared not interested in any of it.
Has anyone got any advice on what to do on getting him in the boot and helping him past his fears?

 

[Thisisme19]

Hi can anyone help. I have a 11 month old springer spaniel. Lately he has become scared of getting in the boot of the car. He just lies down infront of the car and refuses to go near it. Once we have had to lift him in. He tries to make a dart out of it. He was never a problem until a month ago.
He is highly food driven but when scared not interested in any of it.
Has anyone got any advice on what to do on getting him in the boot and helping him past his fears?

I'm assuming that this is the back of an SUV or similar that is open to the rest of the car but doesn't have seats?

Is there anything that you can remember that might have scared him while he was back there? A sudden stop? Did he get jostled back there? Did he hurt him self?

 

[Jonathonmc]

The only thing I can think of is that we had a trailer on the rear when we went camping about a month ago. But he is also reluctant to get on the front seat of my van as well now. Where as before he was quite happy to jump in.
Quite confusing.

 

[Thisisme19]

The only thing I can think of is that we had a trailer on the rear when we went camping about a month ago. But he is also reluctant to get on the front seat of my van as well now. Where as before he was quite happy to jump in.
Quite confusing.

You might want to try easing him back towards the car. I know you said he won't take treats when he's in the car so you'll need to start in the area where he can see the car but isn't too scared you'll force him in and work him closer and closer until he's comfortable getting back in. If you can manage I would avoid forcing him into the car and try and get him to go in there on his own. Once he's in the car just let him hang out and keep giving him treats. Do this a few times before starting the car, and let him chill with the car running, then move on to driving a bit. I would treat him like he's never been in a car and you're just introducing him now.