How to Train Your Older Dog to Use a Bailey Chair

There's a saying about "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Actually, you can, but it all depends on encouraging the dog and giving him time to get used to new ideas and what's expected of him. For the older dog, using a Bailey chair this means making the chair as comfortable as possible for his old bones, rewarding him when in the chair, and staying with him so that he doesn't feel trapped or abandoned. It's also crucial to let him investigate the chair in his own time, so that he doesn't become fearful of it.

The dog is going to be sitting upright in the chair for long periods, several times a day, therefore it must be comfortable. Be sure the chair is the correct height so that the dog can rest without his front paws or shoulders being forced into an unnatural position, and that he can rest his chin comfortably on a padded ledge free from sharp surfaces. Provide a pillow or cushion at the bottom of the chair, so that it's comfortable to rest on. You can also increase the depth of the padding in order to raise the dog up, should the height be wrong.

Leave the chair in the room where the dog is going to be fed. Let the dog wander around and investigate the new item of furniture, without asking him to go inside it. He needs to become familiar with it first, before being confined inside.

Now the dog has become used to the chair as an object, praise him when he goes near it. Your aim is to build positive links between the chair and the dog, such that he thinks he's very clever for approaching it.

Now your older dog is relaxed around the chair, encourage him inside. Make it into a game and keep the mood light. Leave the door open but lure the dog into the chair with a favorite toy or a small treat. Raise up his front legs, briefly close the door for him to rest his paws, give him some attention and then open the door again. Gradually extend the amount of time he spends with the door closed, working upwards from a few seconds to a minute or two.

Once the dog has accepted being in the Bailey chair with the door shut, you can offer him a small meal. This rewards his good behavior and helps him understand what nice things happen when he's calm inside the chair. Stay with the dog for the next 15 - 30 minutes while his food goes down. Chat to him, praise him, or engage in teaching the dog a trick while he's in the chair. All of which helps occupy him so that he isn't bored and resentful while in the chair.

It's super convenient if the dog learns to enter the chair by himself. This can save your back from the strain of lifting and shifting the dog, especially if he's large or heavy. The trick here is to work with the dog on a low platform, such as that created by placing two chairs together. This makes it easier to teach the dog to reverse into the chair without wobbling off to one side.

Take two regular chairs and place them seat to seat, so that the backs form an "H" shape when viewed from the side. Place the Bailey chair on one of the chairs, with its back resting against a chair back, and the opening facing the second chair.

Encourage the dog to jump up onto the vacant chair. If he struggles with this because of sore joints, consider placing a piece of furniture to act as a step to assist him. Use a treat to orientate the dog with his back end towards the open Bailey chair.

Move the treat towards the dog's breast bone, so that he tucks his head in and reverses backwards in order to get to the treat. Keep the treat moving so that the dog reverses himself into the Bailey chair.

As soon as the dog backs into the chair, use a cue word such as "Chair", and praise him for being clever. Now raise the treat up so that he strains upwards, which makes it easier to close the door. Give him yet more praise and let him have the treat.

Keep practicing in this manner using treats. Once he gets the idea you can also use a small bowl of food to reward him, and then have him sit in the Bailey chair while the food goes down.

Once the dog has the idea you can remove the supporting chairs and let the Bailey chair sit on the ground. The purpose of the chairs is to elevate the dog and assist him to reverse cleanly, without diverting to one side or the other (as he would fall off the chair). However, once the dog has learned the knack of targeting his rear into the Bailey chair, the elevation is no longer required.

Teach the dog using encouragement and praise. To force the dog into the chair may make him resentful or fearful, either of which will make him less likely to eat and more likely to struggle to escape.

Avoid the situation where the dog goes into the chair, struggles, and so you let him out again. This teaches the dog that if he makes a fuss he gets let out, which is the exact opposite of what you want. This is most commonly the result of rushing the training and not letting the dog take sufficient time to get used to what's expected from him.

The Bailey chair should not be used as a cell or prison in which to restrain the dog while you go and do other things. Key to success is the dog enjoying his time in the chair, which includes spending time with your and some one-to-one attention. As well as being a good safety measure, this will reward the dog for his good behavior, which in turn increases his cooperation.

Older dogs often have multiple problems, of which stiff joints and arthritis are especially common. This may make it physically uncomfortable to spend long periods in teh Bailey chair, which may make him reluctant to go in. If you suspect the dog has a physical problem which is getting in the way, enlist the help of your vet. They may be able to suggest a medication to ease discomfort or a different way of padding the chair.

No matter how naughty he's been, never punish the dog while in the Bailey chair. If you do he's more likely to associate the chair with distress, and not want to enter, than to realize he was behaving badly and that was why he was punished. Instead, teach the dog distraction techniques such as the 'look' command, so that you can get his attention and interrupt unwanted behaviors.