Suggestions Needed to train dog to leap into back of SUV

[wooferlove]

Ozzy is an 11 month old mixed breed house guest...he looks like he might be chow/ridgeback...such a longlegged guy who refuses to leap into back of SUV. I have 7 days to teach him to have the confidence to jump in. Today I got him to use the ramp to go into back of SUV & I plan to gradually lower it until he leaps in..does anyone have any suggestions?? Thanks!

[Cheetah]

Does he know how to jump over anything already? Maybe you could start with that.

If all else fails, you could always just pick him up. >^^;<

[wooferlove]

we were considering hurdles today...we'll try that also tomorrow...he's a bit headstrong and wary of new things...but with enough repetition he may learn quick enough....he's rather large to keep picking him up..he's got his owners fooled into thinking he can't do it...and I think it'll be easier for me to train him than to schlep him into the vehicle:) :) :) :) for the next 7 days...

[Julie]

Why 7 days? Lol
Anyway, if the dog is a little scared just use some rewards.... Just throw a piece of meat in the back after you give him a smell. Not dog food, but a high reward treat. I am sure he will gain some confidence quickly. :D

And after he does jump in, then give him some praise too!

My dogs love to jump in the back of vehicles so much that I have to be very carefull while on our walks. Any vehicle that looks remotely like ours, they are ready to go for a ride.

[otch1]

Hello wooferlove... this is a problem for many dogs. Especially, if just once, they've hit their "knees" going up/in. Some of these SUVs' are tall! Very different going up than jumping down. This is a confidence exercise and you'll need to be patient. Practice 10 to 15 times per day walking him up ramp reward, turn "sit" reward ,"ready!", "jump" commanding him to jump down. Then reward again. You are baiting the dog to move on command. Doesn't matter which direction as long as there is movement. Get him very comfortable and excited about going in and out of SUV using ramp on the "up" with a very appealing reward, cooked chicken, beef. Removing ramp for "jump", or "out" whatever you've decided to use. He needs to feel that going in and out of this SUV is the most exciting and delicious activity for the day. After you consistently get tail wagging and quick repsonses, lower the ramp. Sit in SUV with loose leash calling your dog. If paws go on tail gate reward and release. Come back to it later that day. What you need to be mindful of is the anxiety level that comes with doing something uncomfortable. Make it comfortable and in several days you should have success. Good luck.

[wooferlove]

Thanks for the great advice y'all. Ozzy is being boarded here while his humans are away for 7 more days. That's why we have a week to succeed.
I suspect that Ozzy has missed the target in the past thus making him apprehensive. He gets the front paws up on the bumper and he waits for his hind end to be picked up....Thanks otch1 for the detailed advice...I will be sure and try it...no hurdles today...we used the ramp and progressively moved it further away and lowered it but once I layed the ramp flat, Ozzy shut down....so I put the ramp back up and he went in using it...I will try y'alls advice after naptime.

[wooferlove]

Ozzy made great progress...he graduated from using the ramp to just jumping on the cooler as a step to go into the SUV...perhaps tomorrow he will leap in without assistance!! Thanks again

[otch1]

Yay!! Keep us posted. Careful about using something like a plastic cooler.. slippery when wet!

[wooferlove]

Well first thing Ozzy leaped over the cooler and into the back of the SUV!!!!!!! He used the cooler a few times and once more he leaped over the cooler to get into the SUV....in less than 7 days!!:D

The training to "treat" him each time he came to my side & sat down was very effective.

He still has a little selective hearing when summoned...

Being rewarded with treats each time he got in the SUV kept him interested.

Maybe we'll soon rid ourselves of the cooler/step altogether!

Thanks for those sticky notes, very helpful!

:)

[wooferlove]

well thank goodness for NILIF!! Ozzy is leaping into the SUV today like a pro! We still have step nearby for "support" but he rarely used the step today!
I look forward to his reintroduction to his family. Do you think he'll balk at the change of vehicle?(Pickup w/campershell).

[Doberluv]

I doubt it, but if you can, try him in another vehicle, maybe a neighbor's. (?) Congrats on your quick success. He'll be great! Most dogs get so they love getting into the car once they find out how easy it is, especially when you take them someplace really fun for a special hike or walk a lot of the time. Then they too, associate the car with good fun. I always give my dogs a treat when we're finished with our hike and they get in the car so at least not all the fun is over. That way I have no trouble getting them to get in. Of course, the Chi's are too little to jump in, but the big dogs. LOL.

[wooferlove]

I'll have to train Ozzys owners..LOL! They had claimed they were unsuccessful coaxing him into their truck. So I suspect he may have fallen in the past and may associate their truck with unsuccessful leaps....I feel he's able to leap into their truck. Hopefully he will ignore the past associations and fly into the truck. Think Positive! :)

[wooferlove]

Ozzy did balk temporarily at his vehicle..but with a little coaching,er,coaxing he jumped in using his "step"...His humans are willing to continue the training techniques..I suggested they study this site for help. Thanks again for all y'all's advice!

[otch1]

Congratulations on retraining and correcting a fear for this dog and undoubtedly saving the owners some back pain! Have a great day!!

[oriondw]

I used a toy to teach my guy to jump inside my SUV but he already knew how to jump over hurdles.

Basically went to back seat closed all doors but the 5th one. ASked someone to hold him. Just recalled him and showed him his favourite toy. He jumped right in.

[bubbatd]

Does the truck have a liner ??? He may not like it back there if it's metal . If so , I'd suggest a rubber backed rug . Kudos on your training !!

[wooferlove]

Thanks again for the great advice. Ozzy still needs to gain confidence with his "own" vehicle but it sounds like his humans are working at it. I saw him today and he leaped into my SUV like a seasoned pro..still looking for the reward when he jumped in..but at his truck he played "his old game" and balked a little like he could not possibly make it in. He depended on the cooler/step but he:D got in under his own power, not his humans power(backstrain). Progress! Progress!!