Your advice to gently acclimate her sounds promising and I'll give that
a try. In the past when I tried to put a leash on her she behaved like
a bucking bronco when she felt the restraint of a leash.

She is older and mor mellow now so I may have more success.

Years ago I tried placing food in a dog house to entice another
retriever inside. He refused to enter the dog house for years until
the day he finally passed away. Wish me better luck with this dog!

Any suggestions regarding a mild sedative for the trip and how to
administer it?

Thank you for taking the time to write.

Greg Grosz