Whether you’re getting a new car or a new dog, it’s helpful for your dog to use a ramp or stairs as they get into and out of your car. These simple tools can prevent injuries, both acute and chronic. That said, your dog should be given the practice to find using them in both directions rewarding.
The inspiration for this post is my recent transition from my 17-year-old Ford Escape to a new Subaru Forester. Nearly two decades of technological advancements* are going to take me a bit to get used to, but
Berlin was 100% acclimated and comfortable using her dog stairs in and out of my Escape. After all, it’s the same car I brought her home in from the shelter almost 12 years ago and it was almost as if the stairs were made for that car. Of course,
if anything because they didn’t fit the same.
After rewarding her for being around the car without going in, including opening and closing the door, I thought she was ready for the next step. Since the Forester’s door frame is more angled and the seats are narrower and higher, I had to rest the top of the stairs at an angle on the edge of the door frame, place my foot on the lowest step to anchor it, do my best to test its sturdiness, and lure Berlin up with the excitement of cheese.
Despite my tests, the stairs slipped under her bodyweight once she reached the top step. Naturally, this scared Berlin, and although she was able to make it up, and scurred down after our walk, she didn’t want to use the dog stairs again the next day.
*Note how I don’t say improvements. While I love some of the new features in modern cars, I miss some of the simpler things, like the thrill of turning the key in the ignition and not feeling like I’m in the cockpit of a spaceship while driving in the highly illuminated, multi-bright screened interior at night.
To help her enjoy the experience, I upped the rewards by incorporating what I call the Hanzel and Gretel technic (literally a row of pea-sized bits of cheese going up the length of the stairs and along the back seat all the way to her bed that she could eat).
So, we took a break from the stairs. Berlin still loves to drive to different areas for her walk and luckily I am physically able to pick her up and place her in (and out of) the car*. To help her enjoy being in the new car, I placed a handful of bite-sized pieces of cheese on her dog bed so she was immediately rewarded after I lifted her inside.
*If this wasn’t a possibility, and I had to get Berlin into my car regularly, I would have immediately purchased a dog ramp for my car and used a different door than I regularly use to see if this fresh perspective helped her find it easy and rewarding to get into and out of the car on her own.
((Video Coming Soon))
For now, I am continuing to reward Berlin when I lift her into and out of the car as I shop around for a better dog ramp or stairs for use in our garage with this car. Since she has had more fun and rewarding experience being in the new car, and more time from the slip, I have also started to reintroduce the stairs. First by rewarding her calm and happy behavior with cheese when she simply sees the stairs, while still lifting her in and out of the car, and eventually using the stairs when I can make sure they are sturdy. Ultimately I hope to find a better dog ramp for my car.
Although stairs or a dog ramp for your car is a simple concept that can help keep your dog safe, it doesn’t mean it’s easy or natural for them to feel comfortable using them, so make each step rewarding. Needless to say, Berlin using a new dog ramp for my car is a work in progress, and I couldn’t be more proud of the resilience and bravery she’s shown so far.
Know what rewards your dog LOVES. For Berlin, it’s White American Cheese or meat of any kind. For your dog, it might be their favorite toy, affection, or tasty, high-value food. Also, know the space you have to work with and get stairs or a dog ramp for your car (and garage) that will fit well.
Positive reinforcement is adding something that will increase the likelihood your dog repeats the behavior. It can be verbal (“Good”) and/or non-verbal (treats, toys, or petting) and, like in my example above, should be used to reward your dog’s exploration, calmness, and happiness in new situations.
There should be no deadline for helping your dog find getting in and out of your car rewarding and fun. Check your ego, take a deep breath, and record your successes, one baby step at a time, either in a journal or on video.
Your dog won’t get over their hesitancy or fear on their own. It’s vital to give them rewarding practice at a level of exposure that they find easy. Don’t overwhelm them though. Practice 2-3 times a week and make it fun!
This is entirely up to you and your dog..and your car. Find a product that fits well in your garage’s available space (if applicable), easily works with your car’s design, and compliments your dog’s physical abilities.
Even though you may take the steps to properly socialize your dog to their dog ramp for your car, things happen. If they show any signs of fear or anxiety, go back a step, or three, and continuously reward their calm behavior.
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