Flicka

[Joy]

That sounds like a huge step forward - well done!
With the car have you tried other travelling options other than the one you have always used? I have a small car and dogs normally travel on the back seat wearing a harness attached to the seat belt, but Rajah wouldn't even consider this. So I put the back seat down, removed the back window ledge and asked him to get in through the boot and he was willing to do that. (This was after several months of walking from his house to the local park with me not using the car at all.)
So if your dogs normally travel in the back, maybe try on the seat instead?

 

[Selina27]

Looks like good advice from @Joy above Sonia @Jelinga , maybe you could also try giving treats near or in the car so it becomes a good place?

 

[Jennifer]

Brilliant progress. @Jelinga a few weeks ago you didn’t know if you’d get Flicka to walk down your lane. You have and with your help she’ll continue to get braver and make progress. Just keep doing what your doing.

 

[Stacia]

That sounds like a huge step forward - well done!
With the car have you tried other travelling options other than the one you have always used? I have a small car and dogs normally travel on the back seat wearing a harness attached to the seat belt, but Rajah wouldn't even consider this. So I put the back seat down, removed the back window ledge and asked him to get in through the boot and he was willing to do that. (This was after several months of walking from his house to the local park with me not using the car at all.)
So if your dogs normally travel in the back, maybe try on the seat instead?

I also have a small car and in desperation tried to get her in via the side door to sit on back seat, no luck, but thanks for the idea.

 

[Stacia]

I have another big problem, Flicka is lame on her right fore leg. I have always had a slight suspicion, that there was a little lameness there, but thought it due to being so aware of Rourke's lameness. I stopped throwing tennis ball for her a few days ago, this morning it is more pronounced, I could weep. I will try and find someone to help me take her to the vet. I did mention it to vet when he visited to prescribe the worm pill but dismissed it. I feel it is one thing after the other, can't cope with another lame dog.

 

[Selina27]

I also have a small car and in desperation tried to get her in via the side door to sit on back seat, no luck, but thanks for the idea.

But have you tried treats to make it a nice place?

 

[Cath]

Would this help @Jelinga

How to Relieve Dog Car Anxiety and Fear of Car Rides

Learn step-by-step instructions and tips to help with dog car anxiety and fear of car rides to help your dog relax and enjoy going for a ride.

bestfriends.org

If your dog won't go near a car, you can try these steps to help them become more comfortable:


Desensitize your dog: Start by rewarding your dog with treats and praise for being calm near the car, even just walking around it. You can also try inviting them to sit with you inside the car with the doors open.

Create positive associations: Use your dog's favorite toys and treats to lure them closer to the car. You can also try placing something in the car that smells like you or your dog, like a blanket or pillowcase.

Take it slow: If your dog reacts fearfully, go back to the previous step and try again. The process can take weeks or months, so be patient.

Make it fun: Give your dog lots of attention, praise, treats, or playtime.

Consider a backpack: Putting a backpack on your dog can help them focus on something other than the car.

 

[Stacia]

But have you tried treats to make it a nice place?

Tried tennis ball which is her idea of heaven!

 

[Stacia]

Would this help @Jelinga

How to Relieve Dog Car Anxiety and Fear of Car Rides

Learn step-by-step instructions and tips to help with dog car anxiety and fear of car rides to help your dog relax and enjoy going for a ride.

bestfriends.org

If your dog won't go near a car, you can try these steps to help them become more comfortable:


Desensitize your dog: Start by rewarding your dog with treats and praise for being calm near the car, even just walking around it. You can also try inviting them to sit with you inside the car with the doors open.

Create positive associations: Use your dog's favorite toys and treats to lure them closer to the car. You can also try placing something in the car that smells like you or your dog, like a blanket or pillowcase.

Take it slow: If your dog reacts fearfully, go back to the previous step and try again. The process can take weeks or months, so be patient.

Make it fun: Give your dog lots of attention, praise, treats, or playtime.

Consider a backpack: Putting a backpack on your dog can help them focus on something other than the car.

Thanks @Cath, that is enormously helpful, will start tomorrow and let you know.

 

[Cath]

You are doing so well. I am sure you will get there with Flicka x

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

You’ve already made such good progress with her. I’m sure the car challenge can be overcome, especially with you being so determined.

Is her sore leg something brand new? Could she just have strained it?

 

[Selina27]

Tried tennis ball which is her idea of heaven!

I was really thinking of what Cath has unloaded, hope that will be helpful for you.

 

[Stacia]

You’ve already made such good progress with her. I’m sure the car challenge can be overcome, especially with you being so determined.

Is her sore leg something brand new? Could she just have strained it?

I am hoping she has just sprained it as it comes and goes. She has just done zooms around the garden, leaps off the lawn onto the patio, down the side of the house, through the dog door, spins round and repeats! That cannot do her leg any good. If I restrict use of the garden, she does it round the living and dining room which is chaos! I came down this morning to find broken glass and very loose poo spread all over back yard! She must have found the old coffee glass lost in the garden years ago. I am exhausted!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Oh goodness, that sounds pretty dire. She didn’t hurt herself on the glass, did she?

 

[Stacia]

Oh goodness, that sounds pretty dire. She didn’t hurt herself on the glass, did she?

Hope not! I can't see any signs of a cut mouth. I went up to vet to get some medication for her diarrhoea and the vet came out to speak to me and thought she would't be crazy enough to eat glass, but you never know! She prescribed two tins of gastrointestinal food (not sure what good that will do) and some paste which I might not need. I have some pumpkin so mixed that in and she did eat that, little and often apparently. The weather is dire, she needs to go out or she will be in a zoom mood all evening!

 

[Kelsey]

She prescribed two tins of gastrointestinal food (not sure what good that will do)

That food will help bind everything together and help everything move easier as it passes through her system Axel was given that lots when he would eat foreign objects

 

[Stacia]

That food will help bind everything together and help everything move easier as it passes through her system Axel was given that lots when he would eat foreign objects

Thanks Kelsey, that is very encouraging.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

How’s Flicka doing? Everything safely…erm… passed through?

 

[Stacia]

How’s Flicka doing? Everything safely…erm… passed through?

I think so! Fingers crossed, though she is a little quiet this morning! No signs of blood in poo!

 

[Stacia]

Quick update on Flicka. Now gets excited at thought of a walk, rather than cowering in her bed and frightened of the lead. I have let her off the lead in a safe place and she loves it, tail never stops wagging. She is now a happy dog though nervous of people and other dogs, but getting better. When showed a slip lead, she would run away, now I can just hold a loop of the lead and she will voluntarily move forward and put her head into it, not that I use a slip lead but wanted her to get over her fear of it. Am taking her to the vet this evening with the help of a friend, hope it doesn't put her back as it will be scary for her to be put in the car and going to a strange place. Fingers crossed for me.