anns4boys
New member
- Oct 25, 2017
- 16
- 2
- Country
- US
- Bulldog(s) Names
- Frankie Sinatra, Fiona Blu and French Bulldogs Tallulah and Muson and Maltipoo DiMaggio
We adopted Frankie, who just turned one and a half, 4 weeks ago. He came from a home where shortly after getting him, they became pregnant and as soon as the baby was born, his life was turned upside down. After being boarded at the vet twice for a week at a time and then living with a professional trainer for a month, 1 day after going back home, he was back at the trainer and then 2 days later to our home. All of this back and forth happened within a month and a half. We quickly learned that he wanted no part of a leash. All you had to do was pick it up and he ran under a chair. He wouldn't even go near the front door for a week and a half. Would only go out the back door. We were gradually able to coax him to the door and eventually out the front door by making it a positive experience. When he went out, he got to play - run after a ball, Frisbee etc. We created a monster, lol because now he wants out the front door all the time! Once out front, you can put a leash on him and he is fine. Heels nicely and enjoys his walks. But you have to put the leash on outside - he will not let you do in in the house. And he WILL NOT GOT NEAR THE CAR! I got him into the car once, about a week after we got him to take him to petsmart for a new collar and toys. I honestly don't remember how I got him in the car, I know he resisted a bit, but I was able to get him in. The trip to petsmart was great, he was well behaved, he got toys, he got treats - but then he wouldn't get back in the car. It took me 15 minutes to get him in the car and he was an anxious mess the entire ride home. I felt horrible, I thought he was going to pass out!
I have not idea if he was always afraid of the car, or if he was traumatized by being bounced around so much in such a short time frame -the trainer told me he took him in the car a lot to competitions. Said he didn't like it but he would calm down after a while.
This boy is terrified of the car. He won't even go near them in the driveway. I have not tried to take him in the car since that first time about 3 weeks ago. I thought I would try again today - take a short ride around the block and show him we came back home. But he would not budge and I couldn't get him to get in the car. I don't want to traumatize him. My other 3 love the car and we have never had any trouble. I feel so bad for my Frankie Sinatra, I can see how stressed he is, but I want to be able to take him to a dog park, to the vet, and would also like to take him for training to be a therapy dog like my little frenchie is, but I can't do any of that without conquering his fear.
Any ideas on how I can gradually gain his trust and get him to ride in the car?
I have not idea if he was always afraid of the car, or if he was traumatized by being bounced around so much in such a short time frame -the trainer told me he took him in the car a lot to competitions. Said he didn't like it but he would calm down after a while.
This boy is terrified of the car. He won't even go near them in the driveway. I have not tried to take him in the car since that first time about 3 weeks ago. I thought I would try again today - take a short ride around the block and show him we came back home. But he would not budge and I couldn't get him to get in the car. I don't want to traumatize him. My other 3 love the car and we have never had any trouble. I feel so bad for my Frankie Sinatra, I can see how stressed he is, but I want to be able to take him to a dog park, to the vet, and would also like to take him for training to be a therapy dog like my little frenchie is, but I can't do any of that without conquering his fear.
Any ideas on how I can gradually gain his trust and get him to ride in the car?