[Lulu]

My 10 year old American Bulldog has always loved to ride in the car, but recently she has become obsessed with staying in the back seat of the car all day. She cries to go to the car after breakfast, and runs back to the car whenever we return from a walk (we live on a farm and she can be off leash). She will come out of the car when she knows it's dinner time, but sometimes she will try and get back into the car again after dinner. This has been going on for about 2 months. The weather is cool enough now that she can be in there, but in the next few weeks it will be too hot. She sits by the front door and whines if we don't let her into the car. She doesn't care that we are not going anywhere, she just wants to sit or sleep in there all day. I've had to put a bowl of water in there with her because she never asks to come out. I can leave the car door open and she just continues to sleep. She's treated like a princess in the house and there is nothing in the house that seems to bother her. She is just obsessed with being in the car. We have two other dogs and neither have shown so much interest in being in the car. All the dogs get along very nicely and she has her own bed (two of them) in the house that she seems to like, but given a choice I think she would move into the car permanently. Has anyone else ever experienced this with dog? Any ideas why she is suddenly so determined to live in the car?

[Todd]

My dog is the same way although not nearly as obsessive. When you do take the dog in the car, where do you generally go? This could either be to a positive destination or she just likes spending quality time with you.

Drive to the vet a few times and she'll stop hopping in all right

I'd just keep her out of the car for the most part and ignore her desire. Don't encourage her. Eventually she will probably loose interest because she will realize that she isn't going in or anywhere in the car so she'll probably forget about it eventually. I'm not saying that she should never be taken on a nice ride, but don't give in to her begging or take her in it so often that she beggs to get in all the time. Hope this helps.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lulu

My 10 year old American Bulldog has always loved to ride in the car, but recently she has become obsessed with staying in the back seat of the car all day. She cries to go to the car after breakfast, and runs back to the car whenever we return from a walk (we live on a farm and she can be off leash). She will come out of the car when she knows it's dinner time, but sometimes she will try and get back into the car again after dinner. This has been going on for about 2 months. The weather is cool enough now that she can be in there, but in the next few weeks it will be too hot. She sits by the front door and whines if we don't let her into the car. She doesn't care that we are not going anywhere, she just wants to sit or sleep in there all day. I've had to put a bowl of water in there with her because she never asks to come out. I can leave the car door open and she just continues to sleep. She's treated like a princess in the house and there is nothing in the house that seems to bother her. She is just obsessed with being in the car. We have two other dogs and neither have shown so much interest in being in the car. All the dogs get along very nicely and she has her own bed (two of them) in the house that she seems to like, but given a choice I think she would move into the car permanently. Has anyone else ever experienced this with dog? Any ideas why she is suddenly so determined to live in the car?

Maybe she likes the den kind of feeling from being in the back seat now. She is getting older and perhaps this is what she wants now. Not only the comfort aspect of a den but she may want more quiet and away from the other dogs--to be left alone. Lol, hey I am old and I like the peace and quiet better than I use to! It also makes me wonder if she isn't feeling well (and a lot of dogs will be stoic about this so you may not be able to tell if something is bothering her.--Have you had her to the vet recently--esp. for a wellness
exam. and some bloodwork? It is recommended that senior dogs have this exam every 6-12 mons. Sounds like too much but remember that a year for them is at least several of ours and that is how much faster things can happen!

Other then all that--You could try fixing up a den/crate for her in a corner of a room--away from the noise, etc. I don't believe in crates much but others in here swear by them and they say to put a cover over the top as the dog likes this. You would of course leave the door of it open at all times so she could choose when to come out on her own. Hey! Maybe you could build a little cute doghouse for her and place in a corner of your room.--It would be her private retreat. Paint and decorate to go with your room/house. Only make this big enough for her to lay in and be able to turn around in---The cozier the better! Add a small pillow or blankets--whatever she prefers. When it gets hot maybe she won't want the pillow/blanket at that time.

But I would get that trip to the vet if she hasn't been for the last 6-12 months for sure. My 2 dogs are almost 11 (April 1st) and 12 (June 13) and now have heart problems. A lot of things can happen when dogs get to be this old.

After rereading your post--I do get the impression that you really should have her checked out to be safe as if all she wants to do is sleep all day.
And I hope you can get her out of the car as like you said -hot /warm weather is coming and quoting from a book I have on breeds: Prone to breathing difficulties because of their short muzzles. Some have small windpipes as well. They are also stressed by exertion and hot or cold weather.

Keep us posted! What do you think of the in house doghouse idea (or crate)?

A link you might like: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/americanbulldog.htm

[Lulu]

Thanks Todd and Corky. She just had her yearly physical, and other than failing vision, she's in good shape for her breed and age. She's also one of the few dogs I know that doesn't mind a vet visit. I think she's been bribed with so many dog cookies that they can do anything to her at this point. I do think the den thing is part of it - she has always loved little corners and mashes her big frame into tight spots. When she was a puppy she would literally drag her bed to be behind a door in our bedroom, that ended up being her sleeping spot and we just have to remember not to push the door open hard. I wouldn't mind her staying in the car (we work from home), but I'm worried about the coming hot weather. She could sleep on our sun porch, but obviously prefers the car. I admit she is in there now. We came back from the morning walk and she ran to the car. I had to drag her back into the house using a leash and then she did something that makes me nuts - she laid by the door and did this soft pathetic breathy whine/cry. I ignored her for over an hour, but when I went to put some mail in the box she jumped up all happy because she thought I was going to put her in the car. She looked so overjoyed I wimped out and gave in. On one hand, I think she's getting old and deserves to get this little comfort, on the other hand I'm terrified I've created a monster and will get no peace when it's 85 degrees out in June. I'm hoping she'll figure this out herself on some level and not give me such a hard time in the coming months. Although, as with most bulldogs, she tends to be a little "special ed.". Maybe I can get our sheepdog to explain the problem to her.

[Lunareclipse]

Park the car under a shade tree and leave the door open.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Park the car under a shade tree and leave the door open.

you could but whenever someone tries to take the care out and couldn't take the dog this would probably create a hassle.

[Ward9320]

considering you live on a farm and if you don't mind i would say maybe see if you can get a junker without any doors on it and put it out behind the barn or something for your dog to go to. Think of it as a unique dog house