Will not get in back of the car..Help please

[Sunbeam]

Our new guy is not liking the idea of getting into the back of the station wagon... We have had him for 1 week. When he wants to (or when our much older and wiser female leads) he will, but no amount of treats, or firmness in the world will get him in there when he doesn't want to go. We just started his obedience class (Yesterday in fact) and he is doing very well for his first class.LOL We have had two play dates and is doing great with others. He is new to our family, and is learning I am boss, but it is clear that this whole back of the car thing is not working my way. He does not grawl or bark or anything he just give me that i think I will sit this one out look. AAARRRRG Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
:)

[AngelBunny]

Sunbeam:

How old is your dog? Where did you get him?

I ask because you may or may not want to give him the command to get into the car & the second he doesn't move, to bodily pick him up & put him where you want him, then praise him in a happy, pleased tone, & give him a super yummy treat. I'd do this to any Rottie we foster (because we're involved w/ a bona fide rescue group)--espeiclaly after having had the dog a week.

(Sat is nail & go-over day in our house. Foster Boy comes into the house Sat am, he gets his first go-over & nails done that afternoon.)

You're going to have to put your foot down when it comes to getting your boy into the car. He's now learned you aren't gonna make him do so if he refuses. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask your dog to get into your car.

What about asking him to jump onto the back seat & then over it to get to the back?? Does he have to get in from the back of the car??

[kaiser's mom]

first.. congrats on your rottie! what is his name?? and how old?? I opted on my second rottie to try a dog ramp..either home made or bought... (got mine thru dogramp.com) can look and see how they are made and duplicate yourself... a ramp may be easier on the hips/joints of both you and your pup!! rotties can get heavy to pick up!! it took us about 15 min to get used to the ramp..now he loves it..right up and down! while I stand next to so he doesnt jump off to the side... He actually does this better than hopping in to the car that has low ground clearance... go figure... keep us posted on your progress!! Max and me..

[Sunbeam]

Thank you for your replys.. His name is Max. He is 14 months old. We took him to our vet and he weights 104.4.(not that easy to pick up lol) My brother bought him from a rep. breeder. He got him to be his mate on his truck (long haul) but then my brother decided that it was unfair to only keep him on the truck and not at home. He has great temperment and is really very sweet.

Yes he will get into the back seat and we put the back seat down and put him in the back of the station wagon that way, but he will not jump in to the back of it without going through the back seat. (I think) the reason we are having this problem is my brother would let him sit in the front seat even in his 4 wheel car , and I will not..He hates riding in the way back. For now we will take him through the back seat, LOL and we have been taking them both to the doggie park and when they are together he does great. I have thought about just loading them both in and riding around the block, taking them out , puting them both back in(with treats for job well done) and riding around the block again.. :) I am sure we will get it down.
Thank you again. :)

[Leader]

My 6 yr. old was not crate trained, but when I started doing sport training seriously I bought a crate for the car. And does he LOVE his crate:D ...if it is open and the car is open at anytime of day or night, he's in it waiting to go!
My second rottie was crate trained and I had no trouble getting her into the car either. Has Max been crate trained, Even if not start using one now and he'll just love it;) , but I agree if it's too high to jump into the truck, try a ramp of stairs for him. The crate is also a safer way to travel IMHO