Dog doesn't want to get into car

20-10-2015 9:46pm #1

So my dog (springer cross, 8 yrs) doesn't want to get into the car anymore. He used to run and dive up into the boot, he loves his walks and knew getting into the car meant walks. He used to cry with excitement until we got wherever we were going.

Now he goes mad in the house to go for a walk but when we go out and I open the boot, he just sits on the ground looking sad. He won't even jump in after a ball or treat, and he loves them! Then when I put him in he just cries.
He enjoys his walks just as much as ever when we get there.

I recently started driving a different car & I'm wondering if it could be that? The make of car is the same, just slightly different models. He is still in the boot, its a hatchback with a grill up between it and the back seats.

His tail is between his legs & he looks sad when I want him to get in, I just don't know what's wrong with him.
Any ideas?

DBB · 20-10-2015 9:54pm

Oooohhh... given his age, I'd be getting him checked at the vet, especially for any musculoskeletal discomfort. Something may be jagging him as he makes the leap. It might be something that's not really bothering him during normal movement, but just tweaks when he jumps up.
Another thing to consider is that there's nothing wrong with him now, but one of the times he jumped in a couple of weeks ago, he may have got a jag of pain if he twisted or landed awkwardly, and the memory of this is stopping him from jumping in now.

20-10-2015 10:00pm

DBB, yea I did think maybe it was something like that too, I have noticed him get a lot slower around the house and sometimes after a long run he is a bit grumpy.
I was worried he was maybe in pain.

DBB · 20-10-2015 10:23pm

That pretty much confirms that you need to get him checked out! Your vet will most likely be able to tell you pretty quickly if there's a problem. Keep us posted

Dozen Wicked Words · 20-10-2015 10:28pm

My springer (who's not one yet) puts the breaks on when she knows she's getting in the car, I think (guessing) with her it's more a travel sickness thing, she drools a bit and it's about the only time she's ever subdued! We have to lift her in but she is happy to jump out, and she's back to 100 mph after that. She's never liked the car for some reason.

20-10-2015 11:20pm

Yea, its a recent thing with mine, that's why I thought it could be the change of car! He's not great with change.
I'll ask the vet what he reckons, he did have cruciate problems couple years ago so maybe he's just getting old and sore.
I'll try him with a bit of a step up to the car as well, see if that makes any difference.

aonb · 21-10-2015 12:01pm

Jumping in/out of a boot is a big leap for the older dogs. I always lift my guys in/out, but they are smaller... My friend has one of these for her lab -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pet-Plastic-Folding-Lightweight-Transport/dp/B015R9I03W/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1445425224&sr=8-8&keywords=dog+ramp

jimf · 21-10-2015 9:33pm

if theres 1 thing I have learned with springers over the years as the get older they can start to develop little hip issues that were not noticeable in their younger years and jumping in to a car boot would just be the trigger for a little twinge

so as dbb has rightly advised above a trip to the vet may be in order

Dog doesn't want to get into car

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