All great things to think about and try.... thanks!

I am going to try again today with some of the ideas/tips you have given me. I will let you know what happens.

Would you suggest I put him in the back of the SUV or the back seat?

By backseat, do you mean of a car or the SUV. If its the SUV, the I would suggest the back. Its an easier landing area than the seat. Oh and make sure there is nothing in the back that he could slide on. I accidently armor alled the vinyl lining I have in the back of my SUV, and when Cash jumped in, he slid to front and hit by front seats. The look on his face was priceless!

If its a car's backseat, then maybe thats a good starting point since he doesn't have to jump as much. Plus the easier it is (less traumatic) to get in the car, then when he's in, you can work on getting him use to it. Once he is sure the car ride is a good thing, then it'll make jumping into the SUV easier.

well, i want him in the SUV instead of the car because the car (a 2 door honda) is what i brought him home in and that did not work. he is way too big for that car!

The back of the SUV is a more stable platform than the seat. It gives him better footing and an easier ride than the soft seat. Considering Odie's timidity, the lower risk of anything spooking him or hurting him, the better.

If you are talking about a car's backseat, you might want to rig a platform that will include covering the floor boards. Can you imagine what it would do to him to lose his balance and fall in the floor?

Once you get him in the vehicle, it will help his experience if you drive very gently - slow and easy stop and starts, easy gentle turns. Drive as though you have the most fragile and treasured item in your life in the car.

we have a tractor supply store close to home. i found out that they allow dogs inside the store... and they have toys and treats inside!!! do you think this is a good place to go to? OR should i just start off with short drives and move up to that later?

thanks!!!
traci

You might also try Home Depot or Lowes, they allow pets too.
I have a big comforter spread out in the back of My "XSUV" which is just a fancy acronym for Mini Van.

Gary

We brought Carolina home on Jan 6th. We have a pick-up with a bench front seat. The only safe reliable way to get her home was to put the crate in the bed and strap it right behind the cab. The ride was about 3 hours. She did lay down, but didn't "rest" all the way home.

A week later, Leon was going to drive the recyclables to the county recycle yard. He thought he'd take her along for the ride, in the cab. He loaded her up in the car, and he got in to drive. I watched them pull out the drive. A few minutes later they were back. She was shaking and all upset. Leon didn't want to scar her for life, so she and I went around the block as Leon left with the recyclables.

The following day, we decided to go for a ride all 3 of us in the cab to the local park for a run in the fenced in practice football field. I got in the truck. Leon put Carolina in with me. I got her to lay down on the bench seat with her head looking out the side window. She was better with someone to hold her. The drive was about 2 miles. SHe wasn't sure, but didn't have much time to get upset. Then when we got to the park, she was her usual self. We ran and played for about 20 minutes. Then back in the truck. She didn't seem to mind the ride back home. We were talking and making quite a big deal about it all.

This weekend we home to ride from Hartsville to Aiken. a 2 hour ride on I-20.

If your GH has bonded with your daughter, maybe she can ride in the bakcseat while the GH is in the way back and just act as moral support. Our Carolina seemed to do much better with contact and human support.

Aren't these furbabies just wonderful?

Good Luck,
Ang, Leon & Carolina

I second what was said about driving. Just take it a little easy with braking and turning. It will take a Grey a while to get their balance and get use to the movement, especially a SUV that has more room to sway back and forth.

As far as trips to stores. Its hard to say without seeing how nervous he can get. Has he met any strangers on walks yet? Is he friendly to strangers or pensive? If pensive, then I would save the store trips for a little while. Maybe one on one trips for yogurt would be good for a start? If he is fine with strangers then by all means take him to the store.

We started taking our dogs just up to the bank for a ride. They give dog treats at the credit union. Chick-filet also will give dog treats at the drive through. We can't even say bank out loud at our house or the dogs are at the door ready to go. If we go without the dogs they give us a treat to bring home now. I have been putting the dogs in the car and just taking them a mile away to uptown Kannapolis to walk. Now every time Escort goes out he stops at the back of the Jeep and waits for someone to open up the back so he can jump in. I'm so glad Escort will jump right in. If you try to pick him up around his back he cries. Guess we're lucky that both Escort and Jessie love to ride. Escort will even squeeze behind the seat in Jim's truck and stand on the little seat back there if it means a ride somewhere.

wanna trade? JUST KIDDING...

I chickened out yesterday and decided to wait until another day to try the car again. I am giving a baby shower today for two of my friends so I am going to attempt it tomorrow. I will let everybody know how it turns out....

OK... here's what happened....

I opened the car door and walked around the car a little. My daughter got in the car and Odie looked in the car and stood there. Sooooo... we keep doing it where my daughter (Logan) would get in the car and then I would try to see if Odie would get in the car. He looked interested. We did this a few more times and then i picked his front feet up, put them in the car, lifted his back side, and pushed him in. He is a heavy boy! He was in. He panted like crazy but we only went a mile down the road to the high school. It probably wasn't the best place to go but for the simple fact that it was enclosed we went into the tennis court. he ran around a little and pooped on the tennis court (oops)... after i cleaned that up, him and Logan ran around a little and then i put the leash back on him, went to the car, and HE JUMPED RIGHT IN!!! We went straight back home and he jumped out of the car fine. We gave him treats when we got back. All in all, that wasn't that bad... i just wish i could contain the slobbering while he is panting. i hope he can get over that.

i did figure something out though... i posted after the first day i had him that he was stinking up the house and he hasn't since (with dog odor anyway). when we come back home this time, i noticed the same smell again. i think either it is his breath from panting so much or it is sweat from stressing so much. what do you think?

You guessed it !!! My three will give off an odor for a little while after they have been at playgroup. A little Fabreze will usually take care of that.

Gary

well, i am glad my dog is not the only one that is stinky!!!