How to Train Dogs to Use Pet Stairs and Ramps for Beds and Cars

July 25, 2020 Kar-Bay-Inc 0 Comments

There’s a number of reasons for buying stairs or ramps for dogs. Usually, they’re used with puppies or senior dogs with arthritis, dogs with injuries to their back or limbs, or small breeds that need help getting onto beds or into cars. But training a dog to use pet stairs and ramps may prove to be difficult at first.

Domesticated dogs are exposed to activities that open to risks of injuries, and increased risk of joint problems. For example, studies found that constant jumping and climbing into cars or onto high beds may eventually result in joint health issues and arthritis.

While dog stairs are helpful, by nature canines do not have experience going up or down the stairs, and will need to learn how to navigate them. If you’ve just bought a set of pet stairs, your dog may be slightly suspicious and wary of their safety. The below infographic explains everything about the use of pet stairs and how to teach dogs to use them.

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The Purpose of Pet Stairs and Ramps

Using pet ramps or stairs at home can be useful to dog owners in more than one way:

Reduce the stress on the dog’s legs and hips
Help to avoid injuries
Prevent surface scratches and damages
Assist your dog with arthritis and joint related pain
Help pets with injuries to get into cars or onto beds easier
Eliminate the need to lift the dog by yourself
Help small dogs get onto taller spaces

Design of Pet Stairs and Pet Ramps

There’s a large amount of pet stairs and ramps available for purchase, and it can be confusing which type is best for you and your dog. The most popular types are usually made of one of the below materials:

Wooden
Rigid Plastic
Soft Plastic
Foam-covered
Mixed Materials

Ramps and stairs are similar in what they help you accomplish for your dog. However, they differ in their design, and we’ve covered their differences extensively in this article.

How to Train Your Dog to Use Pet Stairs or Ramps

Training your dog how to use pet stairs or a ramp isn’t difficult once you get the strategy right and stay consistent. Some dogs learn quicker, while others may stay ware of stairs and ramps for a few weeks. As long as you continue with the training without punishment, your Fido will eventually get comfortable with climbing up and down. You can find a few more effective tips on this in this article.

Step 1: Going Up

Try putting the ramp on a flat surface
For stairs, you can start by putting them against a wall
Lure your dog to step on it progressively by using treats
Repeat the above step for a while to help the dog familiarized with steps/stairs
Ask another member of the family to step on them with the dog
Keep rewarding your Fido every time he steps on it
Don’t reward the dog if he lays or sits on the steps; only when he does it properly
Add inclination to the ramp progressively by placing it in various locations
Start with your dog’s favorite place such as a bed or couch
Put a line of treats from the lower side and going up to lure him upwards

Step 2: Going Down

Never force the dog down; he might develop a fear of stairs/ramps if you do
Lure your pooch towards the starting point with treats
Move a little bit farther every time he advances or makes a little progress
Don’t worry if he speeds up or slows down; every dog has their own pace
Put a lot of treats at the very end to increase the motivational element
Keep yourself close to the side of steps/ramp to help him in case of falling
Praise your pooch when he’s gone all the way through

Step 3: Involve Command Training

Repeat the above-mentioned steps for going up and down by indicating the ramp/stairs and giving your dog a command like “up” or “ramp”
Reward him for listening to your command with a double or larger treat
Repeat while progressively reducing the size of treats until you can simply pet your pooch when he follows the cue
Keep repeating the process until no reward is needed

Final Recommendations

You can start training your dog to use pet stairs and ramps with a leash;
Never force your dog, don’t scare him or punish him for not following your commands or guidelines; successful training requires time and patience;
If your Fido jumps off the ramp/stairs before he gets to the end, reposition him at the starting point until he goes all the way through;
Try not to be too nervous or aggravated yourself during his walk back, even if the dog is shaky; your pup will sense your fear and will not proceed as he should.