Teaching the dog to jump in?

[tonkota]

I have two dogs, one 45# border collie mut and the other a 110# black something with something mut.

The little one jumps into the car/truck/Cruiser with no problems or hesitation. Barney won't jump into anything. Not even the Saturn which is really low.

How can I teach him to jump in? I've let betty jump in before him, but he just sits there looking stupid.

 

[drohweder]

How old is the dog? Arthritis is a problem in older large dogs so if he hurts don't plan on coaxing him in. Get a plank or ramp and teach him to walk up it.

My 80# retreiver was taught to jump in the back after something he loves (the frisbee worked for him). Now he knows when we get in the truck good things happnen (hikes, mountain biking, parks , etc) so he tries to jump over the 80 tailgate before I even have it down!!!

Good luck.

 

[tonkota]

He just turned one.

 

[cruiser88]

same thing started with my blue heeler but it turned out she was just spoiled and wanted lifted in she sooned learned if ya dont jump your not going after about the 5th time she started jumping

 

[Beowulf]

As pointed out by drohweder, you need to assess the big dog's ability to jump in the truck. If you feel comfortable that she can jump in without hurting herself then try the following:

1. Work with her by herself. The smaller dog might intimidate her and get in her way when jumping in.

2. Use something to intice her into the truck. Treats or a toy. If possible, have someone sit on the tailgate to lower it a little. Or park on an incline or whatever you can to make the jump a little easier until she gets accustom to the height.

3. Make it fun and reward her if she is able to jump in.

My dogs hate jumping into the Taco because it has a bed liner and it's slipery. I've tried a lot of different things; carpet pieces and non-slip bathroom mats but they still don't like it. They will jump in the 80 because the tailgate has carpet and they don't slide, even though the 80 is a little higher than the Taco.

My Aussie is small and is the dominate female. She nips at the Catahoula if we let the Aussie jump in first so we always take out the big dog and let her jump in by herself.

Good Luck!

-B-

 

[honk]

You might have a dysplastic pup. It'd hurt to jump at all and will get worse. Shouldn't encourage jumping until you can get her x-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia.
It's a genetic thing and is usually diagnosable by 6 months.

 

[1phrogguy]

If you end up frustrated and help the dog into the truck repeadly, the dog will know that you will eventually put/help him in the truck every time. So no matter how much encouragement you give him to jump in, if he waits to be put in the truck, he will still get a ride.

My biggest dog (115#'s) did the same thing with my Taco, he would put his paws up on the talegate but not jump in.

I am sure you have already tried a running start. If not, back up about 10 feet from the truck with the dog, and run towards it calling him and saying up/in the truck. It may take a couple of tries but a dog of this size is more than capable of jumping into a car or truck. As always praise when he gets it right.

Worked for me anyway, give it a shot. I know what a pain in the a$$ putting a dog in the back of a truck can be.

 

[tonkota]

You might have a dysplastic pup. It'd hurt to jump at all and will get worse. Shouldn't encourage jumping until you can get her x-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia.
It's a genetic thing and is usually diagnosable by 6 months.

He jumps off the stairs all the time. I just had him in to the vet for a checkup. The vet was impressed at the shape he is in and how protective of me he was. They put a muzzle on him for the visit

Thanks guys for the tips. I'll just spend time with him a little at a time.

 

[crushers]

hummm, i guess i got lucky.
the husky lab just jumped right in the first time.
the collie/husky needed a bit of encouragement but after a coupel times got the hang of it.
the pure breed lab took a couple times also. had a set back when his foot got caught but now he jumps higher than needed to get in...
i refuse to help them unless injured or old. once they get old it really hurts them to jump back out so i always take my time getting them out. it is really hard on the joints and you can see the pain in their eyes...
good luck
cheers

 

[lunyou]

my big dog used to love to ride in the back of the truck and would actually try to climb up on top of the cab. Dad taught him by lowering the tailgate and slapping and syaing "bubba get in " and bubba caught on quickly. Now that he is older, 12 years old and heavier, 120 pounds he can't jump in the back of a 4x4. He would just raise up and put his front paws on the tailgate andi would lift is hindend up into the bed. He can jump in my uncle's(he lives with my uncle now) 2wd s10 no problem and will sometimes ride in the passenger seat.

lunyou