Tuesday Training Byte: Teaching your dog to use a ramp

Puppies and senior dogs have a lot in common- they both need help to protect their joints. Growing dogs up to the age of two years should not be allowed to jump in or out of vehicles or on and off furniture. The growth plates (there are large gaps at the joints and areas of just cartilage) in pups do not close until maturity, so I would lift my dogs in and out of vehicles until then. Alternately, using a ramp will save your back. Senior dogs should use a ramp as well. I like to teach this by "chaining" behavior. I will place my target pad in front of the base of the ramp and have the dog touch it my placing front paws on it and then mark the behavior with a "Yes!" and a treat. On the fourth repetition, place the target pad on the bottom portion of the ramp and repeat three times- marking and treating the dog for the proper response. Before you have the dog actually walk up the ramp, have a helper stand on the opposite side to block the dog from jumping off. We don't want to make matters worse. Take a moments break, then put a trail of treats on the ramp, one at a time. As the dog is reaching to eat one, place the next one a step or two farther up the ramp. Once the dog reaches his destination on the bed or sofa, praise him well, but making sure he does not get the chance to jump off on his own. I tell my dog to wait. Train the up the ramp only for two days before teaching the dog to go down the ramp. I use the words "Up" and "Off" (down is for the command to lay down). At this point, your pup should be comfortable using the ramp, but we still need to make sure to have a second person helping so the dog has no chance of jumping or falling off to either side. You can use a food lure in your hand to guide your dog down the ramp. I place the target pad on the bottom end of the ramp and make sure he touches it before hopping off. I use the Fit Paws target pads available from J & J Dog Supplies or Chewy- These come in handy in training your dog to go to their place, crate, etc. You may purchase the ramp or make one. If homemade, use the self-adhesive ladder tape for traction. Below is an Xray so you can see why we don't let the pup jump up or down. The muscles and tendons are fully developed in the adult to help support the joints.