In need of some suggestions
Today, I brought half of a cooked steak. Tried to lure her out of the car. Nope she wasn't budging. I actually had to pull her out of the car today. I felt so bad, but I can't leave her in the car all day while I'm at work. It's getting warmer outside. Sometimes when we come home from daycare or even PT she doesn't want to get out of the car. So it's just not when we get there. I don't know what to do, or what to think. Is she playing a game? Does she not like it.? I don't want to get her out of the habit of going, she's not the social butterfly that Frankie is, and I worry when we take a vaca that she really wont be happy there. Next week I'm thinking about taking Frankie in the morning, and bringing her in the afternoon. When she realizes that she's alone all morning maybe she might realize she's happier going. I need some ideas. I just don't know what to do. Thanks Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
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| Does she not want to go to daycare or does she not want to get out of the car? Once out of the car will she walk in or is she still ambivalent? Once in it doesn't sound like she is unhappy...maybe just a little uninvolved? Only questions right now...no answers...sorry  |
| She's wiggly and excited to get inside. Mattie is more of a watcher than a dog who participates in the activity. She's become more dog social since going to this place. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| Do you always take Frankie out first? Maybe try switching it around? No idea if that will make a difference, just throwing it out there! |
| It sounds like she just wants to stay in the car - regardless of where she is going. This can be a bad habit. I've seen it twice before, both in OES. The last one was our rescue foster Otis. He was so bad that he had progressed to the "growl and they won't make me get out" card with his previous family, and it was now a habit. In fact the basset friends of mine who picked him up to transport to me had to get him out of their vehicle for her. He did fine for Melissa and Alex, and fine when they met Todd and I, but really had pulled a number on the family. Make it fun, but be firm, Get out means get out. No bribing, cajoling, begging. Be matter of fact and then really praise and have a party when she gets out.  |
| Usually what happens is I try to get her out first, then get frustrated that she wont budge and take Frankie out first. She has never growled at me, but when everyone there tells me just go in and make her get up. I'm scared she might growl and bite me if I try to pick her up. I really think she's playing me. I'm worried when I pull on her collar I'm pulling to hard and will hurt her. How firm is firm? She acts scared if I raise my voice to her. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| Baley will pull this every now and then. He loves the car and loves to go so when we arrive at a destination somewhere else or home--he will sometimes be very stubborn about getting out of the car. What I do-is open the door and say 'out'--when he pulls this little trick--I get very firm--tug the leash a bit and firmly say 'out' in a voice that he knows is not a fun voice. When he reluctantly starts to move very slowly--I just wait him out and repeat 'out' until his feet hit the floor. Once he is out of the car--I do get my 'happy voice' back and praise and love on him. There have been occasions when this has gone on for 5 minutes or so--but I don't budge and I never give in and just close the door. I could not lift him if I wanted to. Another thing that works with Baley--is to tug a bit on the nape of his neck (behind the collar). It really isn't that he doesn't want to be at the 'place'--he even does this at home and he loves to be home. Don't know if this is much help--but the situation sounds similar as to what goes on with my two--Baxter is always eager to get out of the car--never even have to coax him--just say 'out' once and he bounces right out. From what you describe about Mattie at the doggie day care--I really don't think it is that she doesn't want to go to the 'place'--she is just being stubborn about getting out of the car. |
| Maggie does this sometimes too. Sometimes she even does it when we get home. She just wants to stay in the car a bit longer. But when I am taking her somewhere (daycare, the vet, etc.) I do insist that she get out of the car. I find that if I can take eager boy Henry in first to daycare and then go back for Maggie, she is much more happy to get out and go join him. For her, an authoritative voice and the leash works. |
| I didn't realize this was common! Lady does it too when we get home. I figured she was just tired and content in the car. She hates to be away from me so I hide like I'm walking away. Eventually she follows. She can only stay awake for a few minutes in the car before she passes out on rides despite enjoying car rides. Cars just make her sleepy. |
| Just throwing this out there......maybe something not nice happened to her there? I remember when I took 2 of mine to some friends for a few days while I went out of town for an emergency. When I picked them up, they were staring at me thru the door window, not wagging, as soon as I opened the door they raced for the car, couldn't wait to leave and didn't even acknowledge me. I found out the next day, things did not go very well because of their dog, who I took care of prior to that time. Dags have a way of letting you know. They were fine with a couple othersexcept one. The charged at her after I got home almost like saying , "GET OUT NOW!!!!" |
| If I remember correctly, your Mattie has some auto-immune type health problems and also diabetes. Because of what I learned from our dear Hannah that had a different type of diabetes but also many auto-immune type issues, I think you shouldn't force her. In my personal experience, Hannah was very clear with her actions what worked for her and what didn't. If you're able to respect that with Mattie, that would be a good thing. In this particular situation with your particular dog, I absolutely do NOT think she's playing you or being stubborn. Under no circumstances would I pull her by the collar. Dog's with a lot of health problems regardless of how well they're cared for and managed, I think don't feel that great. They can mask it pretty well but it will surface in instances such as this when they know what their limits are and tell you as best as they can. The most important point I want to make is I don't think she's exhibiting bad behavior. I think it's something more that she probably can't help. Taking her next time for only the afternoon is a good option to try. But if she has the option to remain home at other times maybe she just likes the peace and familiar environment of your home. She may miss Frankie though and be happy to go in the afternoon. Are there any other places to try in your area just to be on the safe side. There is the chance she doesn't like that place for other reasons. It does trouble me that they said to force her. Because I think she's not like most dogs because of her health problems. Good luck! Follow your instincts, that's usually what's best. |
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