[RedBird]

I did a search but couldn't find any info on this subject. I just bought a pet ramp so LadyBird could get in the back of the Expedition without me having to lift her up everytime. I had went through a motorcycle accident about a year ago & it broke both of my feet, so it's been really hard on me lifting her in/out of the vehicle.

I didn't expect for her to just walk up it overnight so we've been really patient working with her on this. We've been taking her to the doggy park every other day so she would maybe socialize the ramp with going to a fun place. Of course everytime I've had to lift her up & out of the vehicle. We've laid it on the ground just so she could sniff it out & walk on it so she could get a feel of it. Our vet has cut her down to NO treats so we're just stuck on maybe using her dog food for a lure. I'm beginning to wonder if it's even too steep for her or she's just being a baby about it..lol Any pointers on how to get her to walk up the ramp would be GREATLY appreciated.

Here's a few pics of the setup. Do you all think it's too steep for her?

[RonE]

That looks really steep to me. I don't see how a dog could actually walk up that thing.

I used a ramp for my lab when he got older, but the back of my Honda Odyssey wasn't so high up. The first few times I coaxed him up with treats and it didn't take him long to get used to it. Sometimes, if he was feeling frisky, he would just jump over it to show me he still could.

[Mdawn]

I think it looks really steep too and it must be difficult to get up.

[RedBird]

Yeah, I figured it might of been too steep. I'm going to take this one back to the pet store & order this one that is 70" long, the one I have already is only 47". Maybe that will take care of it being so steep. Still any pointers on how to get her to go up a ramp would be appreciated. I figured I would have gotten alot more pointers from peeps that do agility with their dogs.

Oh yeah RonE, real men don't drive minivans

[FilleBelle]

Or take polls.

[Annamarie]

you could try doggy steps

[fuzzie]

how about propping up the low end of the ramp with a cinder block, or two cinder blocks and use a third as a step up to the ramp

[rosemaryninja]

I have a feeling that with the 70" one, she would feel a bit better about climbing it. Why don't you try the less steep one, and see if she's still as hesitant?

[battlemonkey]

I think you're doing the right thing by having her sniff it before going up it. Have her get a feel for it under her feet by making her walk across it on the ground, that way she knows that it is safe under her feet and won't give way. Sometimes all they need is a little reassurance from us that all is well.

I'm not in that situation yet, but I might have to be soon for when Jesse gets up in the bed. We have a huge queen size that is very high off the floor and she needs to take a running leap to get in! hahaha... She's got arthritis so I don't actually like it when she jumps off, it's really hard on her elbows and hips.

By the way, Ladybird is gorgeous!!!!! I just wanna feel those ears! They look so soft....

[RonE]

I think the carpeted pet steps are an excellent idea for dogs that struggle to get up on furniture (assuming you WANT them on the furniture.)

The steps are not so practical for vehicle use as they would be difficult, even in a large vehicle, to transport along with the dog.

[Lonewolfblue]

Actually, that doesn't look too steep for a dog to go up. You just need to find a way to show the dog that it's safe and ok. Even though the dog is on no treats, I would still try a treat that they really like, and try to get them on the ramp. And it shouldn't take very many treats either. Just 1 or 2 small pieces of cheese or hot dog might work, let the dog sniff it, then place it in the middle of the ramp. Then another one at the top. And if it only takes a couple of treats, then you can stop the treats from that point.