u/midnightslover

In April last year I went septic from TSS. I was in the icu for a few days on life support and this past year has been all about recovery and dealing with Post Sepsis Syndrome.

In my country there is very little awareness about identifying Sepsis or support for those who survive or for bereaved families.

This week I have accepted a role within a charity that's aiming to support all of the above. It works with the government to help create more awareness, work with those in the medical field to create a Sepsis pathway for treatment and identification and be a source of information for those who have survived or family of bereaved.

Im so excited to be making a difference

Backstory: He was located in the boot of an abandoned car at estimated 10 weeks, I was with him that same day before he went with foster family for 10 days and then I was able to formally adopt him.

Overall obedience he is a very well behaved boy. Loves people/dogs (fully vaccinated now) and we regularly go on outings so he can learn new sights and smells. He has pi ked up basic commands well and listens about 70-80% of the time outside of a training scenario.

When he is in the car hes happy, either settles down and has a nap or looks out the window. Body language suggests he is relaxed and excited. However getting him in or out of the car he is showing signs of fear. Trying to run away before I put him in but it's particularly bad when it's time to leave. He will cower and whimper and desperately tries to get away from me, today he growled which he has never done before. I immediately gave him space.

I have been using high value treats before I put him in and after I put him in. When it's time to get out I will open the door and give him high value treats. Then sit with him in the seat while he snuggles into me. I'll praise him and then try to give him space while using the treats again to lure him to the car door. Sometimes it works sometimes as soon as I get back out he gets spooked again.

He wears a Y harness with a handle on the top and I normally have to use that in order to pick him up and take him out. As soon as he is out hes back to happy. I obviously can't do that long term

What am I doing wrong? How can I work with him to make him happy about getting in and out?

I should add Ive tried a car crate but he was very stressed with that while the car was moving