It's not surprising that many pups are wary of cars ~ their first experiences are probably all horrible ~ leaving mum & siblings, vet visit for jabs, another vet visit for more jabs ~ by this time they're probably starting to realise that getting in cars isn't very nice!

I know these negative experiences can't be avoided, but perhaps we should try to make cars a lot of fun as well so that the positives outweigh the odd negative. I've got a trusty old estate car (the dogmobile ~ full of fur, tennis balls, mud & pieces of rawhide!) which I use to help puppies & dogs that are scared of cars. I open the boot & just sit on the edge, have lots of treat, lift pups in & out, let them explore the smells in the boot (can be quite pungent if my dogs have been to the river the day before ), have toys in the boot for them to play with. At no stage do I even turn the engine on, or get into the driver's seat until the dogs/puppies are happy just to be around the car. Then I work up from there. So on the odd occasion that the dog has to go to the vet, there is a wealth of positive experiences to counter the odd horrible one.

I agree with you Wilbar. While my car might be a convertible it's a messy smelly one! She's been in the car to visit friends and their vaccinated dogs (she isn't fully yet although roll on Friday).

She gets treats and has been going all sorts of places to try and socialise her. She's getting there!