Can anyone give me any encouragement please, our 13 year old collie is just not keen on her new life as a motorhome dog.We have been out 5 times now, have tried ramp and steps and have settled for manual lifting as a last resort.But can anyone let me know if they had similiar problems which settled? thanks
two of our dogs have never liked the step into/out of our folding camper but were able to jump the gap anyway. Is it just the getting in and out or does the dog not like it at all?
If it is the first try giving a treat everytime he jumps in and out.
If it is the second, do you take his bed from home with you as that usually helps.
He is a little old though to change his mind if he is not keen!
My westie never wanted to get out of the my motorhome either, it was a fair drop and had a pwered omnistep. I had to train her to use the step, I had to sit behind her with her facing out of the door, I then placed her front feet on the step and gently pushed, she eventually started to get out via the step. Getting her back in was easier, when she was hungry I used to tempt her in with her favourite treat. It took a while but she soon got used to it, now with our carvan she is in and out all of the time, no problems. Good luck and hope it all turns out ok.
One of my labs was a right jesse when it came to getting in and out of the caravan, he refused to go in until we moved the step out of the way so he could jump in little tinker! Now he's fine, it always takes a few goes with anything new with him, he wouldn't go in our truck at first (had to be lifted) now he wants to sit in it all the time.
I'd persevere with trying to get her to go in on her own, lots of encouragement and stubborness (on your part). Surprised she won't go up the ramp, might be worth getting her used to it at home in normal surroundings and then introducing it again when you caravan and it might not be such a shock.
Our old dog, "Lucky", a collie type dog, never did like the caravan step. In his younger days he would leap over it to get in or out but as he got older it became more of an issue. We covered the step with various toppings (like artificial grass - not strawberries) but nothing helped. Towards the end he had to be lifted in and out of the caravan and car although he'd still be happy walking along the flat.
thanks for all your advice...Yes we have tried all ways with ramp, she was fine with it at home, and refuses to put her feet down on steps,Its a high drop 16 inches so tho she has jumped, its not good for her, as she lands in a heap! think she might settle once she gets over her fear of the in and out business, although she would much prefer to be home in her favourite spot, makes me feel cruel!
Big stick would be cruel ,, I'd put money on , leave the dog outside with the steps in place , put it's favourite food just inside the door after showing it , retire to the comfort of the m/h and have your dinner /breakfast , it' l come in eventually ,, works with the kids also ,,
Our 12yr old Welsh Terrier is the same. Have to lift him in and out van & 4x4. He's old & it's a small price to pay for all the fun & laughter we've had with him since he was 6 mths old. Our 11yr old Jack Russell/Border Terrier X was the same until we changed steps for rubber covered ones.Now she beats us to awning door!
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Topic: old dog new tricks
