Dog training Question.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

KliersLC

KliersLC

Joined
Oct 14, 2004
Threads
231
Messages
3,966
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
Howdy folks,
I have 7 month old lab border collie mix who is perfectly capable of jumping into the bed of my truck (he has done it three times) but he refuses. I have tried treats, starvation,(just kidding) and I even tried driving off and leaving him and waiting till he caught up to see if he wanted in then (worked with the Basset hound :D ). He ran about two miles stop and go and still refused to jump in. Anybody have any tips??????????
 
Yeah, don't travel around with your dog in the bed of a pickup truck. It's very, very dangerous for the dog.

Second, dogs are generally 'denning' animals, which means they feel more secure in close quarters. He doesn't feel secure in the back of the truck (rightly so) and may never. This will keep him out of the bed while it's moving, and probably out of the bed even if it's not. I know a lot of dogs travel this way, but for whatever reason, they must not feel insecure about travelling in the open like that.

You could try putting a kennel/crate (after some training) in the back and see if he'll travel that way. It's a whole lot safer for him, too.
 
I agree with Swank, but want to add that seeing an open space underneath where they are going to land is a difficult thing for some dogs. I had basement stairs in a house that I used to own that did not have "risers", so when viewed from the bottom of the stairs, looked like treads with "air" between them. My Golden had big problems with it until I closed them in.
Also, I have a Tahoe with a liftgate/tailgate and my Brittanies and English Pointer have BIG problems with jumping up into that venue. However, I have a 2500 'Burb with a liftgate(the whole friggin' thing) and they have NO problem jumping up into it. Taller, but more "substance" beneath.

I WILL NEVER BE WITHOUT A DOG! Just wish they would make one that outlives me!



Ed

Did I mention that I love DOGS?
 
Is it an unlined bed? Dogs can be skittish about their footing--painted metal doesn't offer much traction, so he might not feel comfortable standing in the bed.

But I second Swank's statement--it's not the safest place for him to ride.

And if he's got a good dose of border collie in him, you're never going to "trick" him into doing something he doesn't want to do. Smart dogs, pretty neurotic, too, so good luck trying to "modify" his behavior.
 
I have an Austrailian Shepard that can jump into my front windows of the Land Cruiser. I have taught him to jump onto anything that I tell him to. I just started out with stumps and picnic tables, now I can get him to climb on top of the truck. Just lots of positive incouragement, and make sure the surface is not to slippery. My dog had to do an emergency landing this winter off the top of the cruiser because it was snowy. Good luck! Try making a game out of it, herding dogs like a challenge.
 
I'll go with the consensus here.

But I'll never forget last summer driving home behind a pickup at 45 mph with a dog standing on the cab roof (it had the option to be in the pickup's bed)!
 
Last edited:
Used to have the dog in the back but have sofened up (read smartened) and keep 'em up front.
 
get his favorite treat - get him in a frenzy to eat the treat - yell "load" - then throw the treat into the back of the truck - make sure he sees it - do it over and over - my Lab will jump into anything now -
 
Thanks for the suggestions, the bed is lined and he loves riding back there, he is just too lazy to jump all the way up. Front paws is as far as he usually goes. I would keep him up front but the damage to the upholtery is not worth it to me. I keep him tied so that he can't get over the edge of the bed at all, but he can look out.
Thanks again,
any more suggestions?
Dan
 
Try backing the pickup to a hill so the distance is shorter to jump. Keep gradually increasing the height in which he has to jump (with treats) and pretty soon he won't realize the distance.

Funny story, When denver got 5 feet of snow a lab was able to jump over the owners fence since it was so short. As the snow melted he kept doing it. Pretty soon the snow was gone and this lab can get over 5-6 fences no problem ;)
 
or get him to chase you for a while. run down the street and then jump in the back of the truck. usually they get so excited that they just forget why they are being stubborn and jump up there.
 
I'll chime in here with a suggestion of not letting him ride in the bed. I saw a pitbull in the back of a pickup, standing on the toolbox, slide off when the truck took a turn. Unfortunately or fortunately (not sure which would have been worse) the dog was leashed to the truck. He was hanging off the side of the truck while the owner pulled over to throw him back up in the truck.
 
Maybe your dog doesn't want to jump in because it hurts. Some younger dogs, especially those prone to hip displasia, are kept from jumping until they are least a year old. Border collies have very little history of hip problems but labs are one of the most common sufferers. Just a thought.
 
I took him into the vet to have him checked for hip displasia, and the vet said he had excellent hips so I am hoping that won't be a problem. My basset hound has horrible hip displasia and he is ten years old, but he can clear the side of the pickup in my avatar..............well he gets a boost off the tire with his front paws and then sails right over.
 
No winch, just a smittybuilt bar that dreams of having a winch.
 
Jman said:
Well, that rules out my next suggestion. :D
Click to expand...


I might get a winch :D

I am curious about your suggestion
 
He he he he ..........

I better not..

I am sure that he does want to ride with me, but I want new tires too.......Tough luck for both of us I guess.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

nor_cal_cyclist
Dakota G3 dog crate?
Replies
4
Views
729
nor_cal_cyclist
nor_cal_cyclist

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom