Dog Community

Any Suggestions?

Posted : 12/11/2006 6:42:14 PM

After about 12 years DH & I treated ourselves to a new bed. The old one was lumpy & bumpy. Now we have a problem for Aspen. The new bed is very high off the ground. I cringe every time Aspen jumps off of it. I picture his poor little patellas or back just snapping. Keeping him off the bed is just not an option. That is dog abuse in the Pap world. I need to 1) find some stairs for him & 2) figure out how to train him to actually use the steps. If you have some steps where did you get them & what do you like/dislike about them? What would you do or get differently if you could buy them all over again?

cakana

Posted : 12/11/2006 6:47:45 PM

I just saw some steps for this situation in the Fosters & Smith catalog. The thing I thought was nice was they were carpeted, so it wouldn't be slippery.

p.s. - how's the new bed? We're going bed shopping this weeked, if my aching back can wait that long [

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smilee1079

Posted : 12/11/2006 7:11:27 PM

I use doggie steps and got them cheapest from hsn.com. Do a google search and you will find them many places. The thing is, you need the 4 step kind for a bed, not the 3 step kind which they sell all over the place now. The 3 step is good for a couch.

I trained Zoe by clicker training and treating at the bottom. She always uses the stairs for the bed but likes to jump from couch still. Although I haven't tried training for the couch much.

glenmar

Posted : 12/11/2006 7:22:17 PM

When Rusty started having difficulty getting on and off the bed I bought a rubbermaid two step stool and put it at the foot of the bed. I put his lead on and lead him UP the steps....and then down the steps. Now, Rusty was pretty exceptional, but with him all I really needed to do was TELL him that he had to use the stool if he wanted to be on the bed and remind him a few times......

Debbie R

Posted : 12/11/2006 7:29:39 PM

Yeah, Annie you have to do something, Brando has stopped jumping up on the bed because his back and patellas are shot, it's the jumping down impact that kills the little chicken legs and back. Now I worry about Trixie. I also need to get steps, because I really don't want him laying on the floor all the time, w/the arthritis etc I know he's spoiled.

mollymoo

Posted : 12/11/2006 8:26:29 PM

I found doggy steps at a Menards. They weren`t very tall thou 3 steps for around 15.00. I belive I also say doggy steps in my dog.com catalog which had more steps.

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 12/11/2006 8:56:23 PM

Deb, Brando is THE reason why I even thought of the stairs. I know how you've agonized over his problems & I hurt for you & Brando. If I find a good deal on steps, I'll be sure to pass the info on to you.

Thanks for the idea, Glenda. The bed is pretty high, I'd say 36". As far as training Aspen, he's VERY stubborn, BUT he's also the most food motivated dog I've ever met. I think he was a hog or a starving person in a former life.

Smilee, I seem to have more luck clicker training than any other form I've tried. Thanks for the reminder.

cakana, the bed is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Besides I need a ladder to get into it too. I just know one night I'll get up in the middle of the night & forget how high it is & fall flat on my face. [

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Rabbit

Posted : 12/11/2006 9:44:22 PM

I see dog steps everywhere for $20 and under . . . Shouldn't be too hard to find . . . or build if you feel like taking on a little project. [

] Then you can make them custom.

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 12/11/2006 9:45:21 PM

I'm not sure how "handy" you are, but you could just build & carpet the steps yourself. The BF & I did this when we got our new bed last month. Then dogs picked up how to use the steps pretty quick, we led them up & down on leashes a few times. Then they caught on. Now they run up & down the steps.

Debbie R

Posted : 12/12/2006 3:31:31 AM

BUT he's also the most food motivated dog I've ever met. I think he was a hog or a starving person in a former life.

No that too is a pappy trait, I think. Brando and Trixie are so food motivated I could probably train them to drive, and do the dishes.

dasher

Posted : 12/12/2006 6:40:10 AM

We built a ramp for Lille to use outside on the deck. She is not clicker trained at all and she is 12 years old so I deceided to use a toy instead. It did not take her long to figure it out. She uses the ramp 99% of the time on her own. She uses it more going down than up, but we are happy with the results.

HKdog

Posted : 12/12/2006 2:39:17 PM

I could probably train them to drive, and do the dishes.

If you ever figure out how to get them to do the dishes please share the info!!!

Scout in Canada

Posted : 12/12/2006 2:48:34 PM

For little Sophie, my mom just bought an ottoman that was about 1/2 the bed height. That way it was easy to jump on and off of with no clumsy stairs or anything. Sophie took to it on her own with no training - it was so much easier on her.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 12/12/2006 4:10:51 PM

When we traded in the old, low waterbed for a nice high conventional one, I knew the old arthritic dog I had wouldn't be able to jump up on it so I got a fabric covered ramp out of a pet catalog. The little bugger just totally refused to have anything to do with it (old dog, new trick []) so I just made a pile of blankets on the floor for him. I still have the ramp - I set it up again when we got Max. He kind of uses the low end as a springboard, but he doesn't really need it. So there it sits, at the end of our bed in all its glory, totally covered in dog hair and looking really gross.[:'(]

Joyce

Debbie R

Posted : 12/12/2006 4:41:33 PM

If you ever figure out how to get them to do the dishes please share the info!!!

lol I'm working on it but their legs are too short