Dog won't go into RV

DownTheAvenue wrote:
Many dogs are fearful of the open stairs. Buy some indoor/outdoor carpet and drape it over the steps so the open back is covered with the carpet and each step is equally covered. Secure well with bungee cords. For 3 days let the dog investigate the covered stairs without forcing. Then put a high value treat on the first step until the dog takes it. Parise, prise, praise. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat. Stop for the day. Next day do the same thing. Third day, do the same thing. Fourth day, use the second step. Repeat the process for two more days. Do this until the dog goes up to the top and then put the treat just inside the trailer. All during this process just sit closely by and watch. Do not try to encourage the dog, but let him do it entirely on his own and praise after he has done it himself. Carefully observe the dog to see if he is getting bored or apprehensive. IF he is, stop for the day. It may take a month, but if you follow this carefully, the dog has a good chance of overcoming his fear of those steps.

I like this approach - as my elderly Cattle Dog's eyesight diminished, he was leery of open steps. We did the "drape outdoor carpet" thing, secured it with small clamps; and he was fine going in and out. I even painted a white stripe along the front edge of each step to help him discern where he was stepping.

Regarding a high-value treat: my dogs will happily sell their souls for freeze-dried liver. Jimmy gets an insulin shot every 12 hours and will remind me when it's time, because he gets a bit of liver afterward....LOL! Personally, I like the Stewart's brand of liver treats because it's sourced/produced in the USA.