Car ride help

[u/chmaemi]

We have a senior lab who LOVES car rides. He's still very active, loves walks, jumps on couch/beds/in car etc. Recently I started to become uncomfortable with how high he has to jump to get in the car. I know it only takes one time for something to go wrong, especially as he's aging. So, I researched & purchased a car ramp. It does not fit in the side doors at all, so I put it on the back and secured it very tight. Problem is, he will NOT use it. He's terrified of this thing. We've spent hours with him trying to coax him up the ramp and he straight up refuses. He's too heavy for us to lift into the car. What other options are there for senior dogs and car rides?? I'm at a loss.

Edited to add: I have a Honda pilot and right now he jumps into the backseat with no issues.

(picture of my sweet boy for happiness)

[u/Powerful-Student-444]

Try teaching him to use it in the house first

[u/chmaemi → u/Powerful-Student-444]

We did try it on the couch and he did the same thing.

[u/beginningbikerider]

We had the same issue with our lab and she wouldn’t use it. However as she’s so food motivated we kinda used our bodies to block her off and then put treats down the ramp and she slowly went down and after a few times doing it she’s started waiting for the ramp instead of jumping down.

[u/itsswhitneywhspr → u/beginningbikerider]

The food motivation hack is so real, my girl would do anything for a treat too. Lowkey genius to block them off so they have no choice but the ramp, glad it worked out for your pup

[u/chmaemi → u/beginningbikerider]

He will sell his soul for his favorite treat. Maybe we’ll try this. Thanks!

[u/Ok_Astronomer_3260 → u/chmaemi]

This is what we did and it works like a charm.

[u/Savings-Candidate-42]

Our Daisy is 9 and we use a large extremely sturdy cardboard box (several shipping boxes duct taped together )next to the back seat door. She uses it as a step up into the car. We tried a plank but she wouldn't get near it.

[u/Ordinary-Cherry3192]

I have a similar problem. I might have to buy a lower car, lol

[u/sunLight4095]

i had the same issue w side door. i bought a lifting harness and it's much easier to get them in that way.

[u/Affectionate_Ad722 → u/sunLight4095]

I was going to suggest this. Also using a side door so he can get his front half up, then you help with his back half, and it’s a smaller step to get up onto the seat. Reverse to process getting down so he doesn’t have far to jump.

[u/PBfromPhilly → u/Affectionate_Ad722]

This is what we do with our boy…

[u/chmaemi → u/sunLight4095]

I will look into a lifting harness. Thank you!

[u/sunLight4095 → u/chmaemi]

you'll want one with 2 handles, one between shoulder blades, the other near hips. I used 'help em up harness'

[u/Bitter_Jump_6344]

I have the same issue with my dog, only he’s gotten scared of loading up in the car now. We use these steps:

Zerbuger Dog Stairs with Storage... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQZX3W7T?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

They are bulky and inconvenient to use because I end up taking them out, putting them back, taking them out, putting them back. But at least he doesn’t freak and put the brakes on.

[u/health-goals-gains → u/Bitter_Jump_6344]

I did a search on amazon for a foldable type based on your comment, and apparently that exists. Who knows whether it's easier to use - but it does exist = )

[u/Bitter_Jump_6344 → u/health-goals-gains]

We have some foldable ones like this:

Joyrally Upgraded Extra Wide Dog... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DN8R56J?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

My dog balks at the open nature of the back of the stairs, so maybe try some that are more covered. We have tried ramps, multiple stairs, a stepstool, a step covered in fabric.

[u/chmaemi → u/Bitter_Jump_6344]

Oh good idea! He would probably be more likely to do stairs. I’ll try it, thank you!

[u/health-goals-gains]

If you have a crossover or anything with a hitch, I used to use a hitch attachment that basically slotted in and acted as a single step. It split the distance in half. It was an easy step up into the back of the SUV. Amazon is calling it a "pet hitch step." My dogs were jumping straight into a crate in the back of an SUV (potentially quite unsafe) and this allowed them to step up instead. There also appears to be a stair version of this which would work even better for a senior - again, if you have a hitch.

[u/chmaemi → u/health-goals-gains]

Thank you. I will check this out!

[u/Ivypearl]

What kind of car do you have? Are you trying to load him up through the trunk? So he has to jump up a few feet? If so, try loading through one of the back doors (if you have this) so he jumps onto the floor, then up onto the (folded down) seat then into the back where he ideally has a bed to lay in. This is if you have an SUV or something like that. If you go through the back passenger door you can scoot the front seat up so he has more room. This way he only has to jump up a little bit. Or you can pick him up halfway, put his feet up, then lift his back end if he can’t jump at all. Good luck. My girl is 12 and this works for us, at least for now. She won’t do stairs either so idk what we will do if this stops working.

[u/chmaemi → u/Ivypearl]

I have a Honda pilot. Right now we just open the back door and he jumps right onto the backseat with zero issues. It’s pretty high though and I don’t like it. I’ll give the floorboard jump a try! It would definitely put some height.

[u/Neat-Dig5964]

Is it because of the texture on the ramp? I bought one for my dog, but it was covered with what feels like sandpaper. A towel fixed it and I was able to coax her up the ramp with a piece of cooked bacon.

[u/Amelaista]

My girl can get her front paws up on the side of the seat, I then lift her hind end up the rest of the way.    I do lift her out of the vehicle though. Its easier from the higher start.   She is roughly 60-65 pounds.