If you have ever had a dog, there’s a significant likelihood you had to nearly plead with him to enter the vehicle.
Weston Mackey encountered this dilemma himself, which is precisely why he devised an ingenious solution for getting his new pooch into his truck.
Joyful Dog, Joyful Home
Dudeson, the pooch adopted by Mackey, has enhanced his owner’s life significantly in the mere weeks since he arrived.
The two quickly formed a bond upon their introduction, which was effortless due to Dudeson’s charm and delightful nature.
According to Mackey’s remarks in The Dodo’s article, Dudeson is an incredibly cheerful pooch who is far from being a drama king, as “[…] not much bothers him, really.”
He also noted that his canine companion enjoys absorbing new concepts, with the sole hesitation being about entering Mackey’s truck.
I’m Not Climbing Into That Truck, Human
Dudeson established a lovely connection with his new owner and relished his new residence, yet he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about Mackey’s truck.
A significant amount of time and visual demonstration (Mackey mimicking a dog entering a car) was required before Dudeson finally succeeded in getting into the truck.
Canine specialists assert that such behavior can be attributed to various factors, including negative experiences (car accidents or any other adverse situation), anxiety, noise sensitivity, motion sickness, or unpleasant trips to the vet or other locations the dog dislikes. [1]
Given that Dudeson is an adopted dog, there’s a strong possibility that his apprehension stems from a negative past experience or simply the fear of the sounds that the truck generates.
Regardless, Mackey resolved not to surrender but to put in the effort until his pup eventually placed his trust in him.
Alright, I Will, But Only If You Demonstrate
No transformation occurs instantaneously. This is a realization that Mackey grasped from the moment he welcomed Dudeson into his home.
In searching for a method to persuade his pooch to enter the truck, Mackey recalled that Dudeson initially struggled with navigating stairs, and they successfully overcame that barrier through joint practice.
In essence, Mackey recognized that the ideal approach to getting his pup into the truck was to visibly demonstrate what Dudeson needed to accomplish.
He showcased the process of entering the truck in a canine manner twice, while Dudeson meticulously observed each move he made.
Things didn’t proceed without difficulty, as the pooch was rather reluctant during his initial attempt, but eventually, he succeeded in entering and made his human incredibly proud.
Mackey shared his reaction with The Dodo by stating:
“I was astonished and completely thrilled […] He’s still evolving and a bit awkward so I stand there to help him, but he’s not at all terrified of entering the truck, which brings me joy.”
Travel Companions
Mackey recognized an adventure partner in Dudeson from the very moment he adopted him, and he held no doubts that, over time, his pup would leap into the truck and relish rides effortlessly.
This turned out to be a remarkable bonding moment for the duo as it fostered the rescue pup’s confidence and trust in his owner.
Mackey fully understands that considerable effort lies ahead, but he is ready to guide his pooch, as he stated in the interview:
“He’s still growing and a bit clumsy so I stand there to assist him, but he’s not at all afraid of getting in the truck, which makes me happy.”
References:
1. Gibeault, Stephanie. (September 16, 2021.) “Instruct Your Dog to Ride in the Car: Avert Anxiety and Motion Sickness.” American Kennel Club Website.