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  1. #1
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    Getting the old man to use a ramp

    Just in case it's necessary... the only time he needs it now is to get in and out of the above ground pool (there are two of them, one inside, one out). He won't even walk on either on flat land. It might be because he just hasn't reached that point? I don't know. We took him to a dog friendly mall recently and he must've taken about 5 flights of stairs before finally agreeing with me that the escalator was not going to eat him, and then he happily took it. He has been off his rimadyl for about a month due to its cost only. We had a rough month and I couldn't even afford to feed him, honestly. I have a bottle of tramadol leftover from the last time he injured himself (he got so excited that he jumped up and down in circles around me until he fell and couldn't get back up on his own, which is what got him put on rimadyl), and the vet said for outings like that, if he hadn't had any rimadyl, to just give him 100mg of tramadol, and another dose later if he needs it.
    But back to the point - he will not touch the ramps. I think it's the texture. My best friend and I have been trying to ramp train him because it is likely he will need it someday (he'll be 14 this year), and it worse be nice if we didn't have to lift him to get him in the pool. The outside one is the typical kind with the gripping stuff (which I can tell he hates) and the inside one is a floating plastic one we have anchored down. I'm sure he doesn't trust them to carry his weight (100lbs), and I'm not sure I blame him there, but both claim to.
    Any tips?

  2. #2
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    We used a ramp with our older dogs to get them in and out of the car, and none liked it. Mulder was the worst - I think he was terrified of it. We basically forced him up it (after trying everything else we could), by having one of us on each side to keep him from jumping off (and hopefully feel more secure). I lured him with steak and pulled steadily on his collar while my husband pushed on his rear until he realized it was inevitable and he gave in and went up. at which point we threw a huge party and gave him the rest of the steak. It only took a couple times of that before he would go up on his own, but he was always a bit scared of it and would go up/down as fast as possible to get off of it quickly, which meant we really had to be ready to spot him in case he took a wrong step and started to fall off of it. I did feel bad about putting that much pressure on the old guy, but at 85lbs, I just couldn’t lift him all the way up into the car (I’m only 5’0), and he wouldn’t do the thing where they put their front legs up and you boost the rear, which would have been okay.
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  3. #3
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Annette47 View Post
    We used a ramp with our older dogs to get them in and out of the car, and none liked it. Mulder was the worst - I think he was terrified of it. We basically forced him up it (after trying everything else we could), by having one of us on each side to keep him from jumping off (and hopefully feel more secure). I lured him with steak and pulled steadily on his collar while my husband pushed on his rear until he realized it was inevitable and he gave in and went up. at which point we threw a huge party and gave him the rest of the steak. It only took a couple times of that before he would go up on his own, but he was always a bit scared of it and would go up/down as fast as possible to get off of it quickly, which meant we really had to be ready to spot him in case he took a wrong step and started to fall off of it. I did feel bad about putting that much pressure on the old guy, but at 85lbs, I just couldn’t lift him all the way up into the car (I’m only 5’0), and he wouldn’t do the thing where they put their front legs up and you boost the rear, which would have been okay.
    Good idea... that's what we tried, but only with regular treats. Probably not enough incentive. He does do the boost thing when he's in a lot of pain or just really tired, but I've been a CNA for 5 years and could lift two of him anyway. More often than not, he does the work and I just spot him. But eventually, he may not be able to. And it would certainly be helpful (and entertaining) if he could get himself in and out of the pool.

  4. #4
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    This older post might interest you:
    https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/t...highlight=ramp

  5. #5
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SunDance View Post
    This older post might interest you:
    https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/t...highlight=ramp
    Thank you. I will look it over when I have more time, though mine won't even set foot on it flat. He recently buried it, actually.

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  6. #6
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    We home seniors and have been using a ramp for years. Each one was not the happy camper using it. Worked with treats and one of us on each side. You can do the same on the ground. When in position, I did like Annette 47, one of us on each side, me guiding with the leash and both of us holding hands behind the butt.

    Right now Archie does not need a ramp but I think he is going to be my problem child getting to use a ramp. We'll see.
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  8. #7
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    A thought. Do any folks who do agility have an idea? My thinking is, maybe training for going across a board (very narrow walkway) could be adapted to training for going across a ramp.
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  10. #8
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    For some unknown reason to me, if I place my hand on Remy's collar (I am just resting my hand no pulling or pressure) he will then do it. I don't know maybe it makes him feel secure?

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    Angela_WM (02-26-2017)

  12. #9
    House Broken Angela_WM's Avatar
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    I will try again... this time with his new favorite treat, kitty roca (actual dog treats). My best friend is pretty much the dog whisperer and was the one who taught me how to train him as a service animal (which has been incredibly successful without messing with all of his prior training in hunting and attack & defense), and even the two of us couldn't get him to put more that one paw on it one time. But with his right knee, he's going to bed it eventually, so I'll keep trying until something works. He's stubborn, but so am I. Especially when it comes to his health.

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  13. #10
    Senior Dog MontananDakota's Avatar
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    Hey guys! I am the originator of that other thread "She Refuses To Use the Ramp" And guess what-she still refuses to use the ramp LOL. I am only 4'11" and there just is no way I can continue to lift her in or out sometimes both. When she jumps into the middle row its not too high but on jumping out it always hurts her shoulder. Dakota uses the ramp into the back of my Traverse (and just this past weekend hesitated, I think because her back legs have gotten a bit weaker (she's 12 1/5 yrs. old) My 10 yo dd and I worked together to get China onto teh ramp but she planted.
    I am going to try steak. If that does not work I am at a loss.

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