Many people give up attempting to teach their dog to use a dog ramp or pet stairs because they think their dog can’t do it. The problem is usually because the dog just doesn’t know how or understand what you want him to do. Teaching a dog to use a pet ramp or stairs is similar to teaching them the A-frame in agility training.
If the dog ramp is adjustable (telescoping), extend the ramp to its maximum length making it less steep for your pet to climb. Slowly increase the incline as the dog’s confidence grows.
To begin training, start with the dog at the bottom of the dog ramp or pet steps. Looking up at an incline can be intimidating to some dogs. If the dog is small enough, pick him up and set him down near the top. Place some food or a treat just a few inches in front of him so he will try and get to it. (As a note about using food as an incentive, it helps if your pet is hungry, so do your training before a regular meal time and have your pet work for his food.) When the dog makes any move forward towards the food, reinforce the behavior with another little piece of a treat. Once he can consistently perform this skill, set him down slightly further from the top and repeat the rewarding every time he makes forward movement. Eventually he should only get reinforced for getting to the top and onto the flat surface. Adding a command at this point completes the training.
If your dog is too large to use the above method, or the dog isn’t hesitant at all about the ramp, then you can modify the technique a little. Using the “Hansel and Gretel Method", put a trail of treats starting a foot or so from the ramp and continue to the top onto the flat surface by at least a full body length of the dog. Do not force your dog to go up the ramp, as the more you force, the more the dog is likely to think the ramp is a scary thing and will become fearful of using it. Just let him realize that he won’t get a treat unless he tries it. Generally the less you try to make him climb, the quicker he will feel comfortable and experiment to get the food. Stay close by during the training so your dog doesn’t fall. Don’t interfere unless the dog looks as though he is going to fall off the pet ramp or pet stairs.
Once your dog is happily going up the ramp or steps without hesitation, you should now work on the dog walking down. Most dogs have ramps or steps to keep them from hurting themselves, so teach your dog not to jump aggressively off the ramp, but rather to walk all the way down to the bottom. Again, use the Hansel & Gretel method with the treats, progressing until you have the treat in your hand and reward only when the dog gets to the very bottom. Just like above, add a command for walking down.
Lastly, when your dog performs these skills on cue, wean out the food and replace with praise. This training program as described here could take just a few minutes or it could take a week. It depends on your dog’s physical capabilities, their temperament, your skill as a trainer, and how yummy the treats are to your dog.
Cats in general seem to have less difficulty in adapting to pet ramps or stairs because they are naturally comfortable with heights and climbing, but these training techniques would apply if you need to train your cat.
This article was co-authored by America’s Pet Store and Michelle Blount-Jordan and may not be reproduced without permission. It has been written to provide general information on product selection and training. It is not intended to be a substitution for the information that comes with your product. If you have a dog with behavioral problems and particularly with fear or aggression issues, you should contact a reputable and local trainer who can assist you with your dog.
Michelle Blount-Jordan
www.doghuman.com
