How to Train Your Dog to Use a Ramp

One of the hardest things about your dog growing older is watching him struggle to do many of the things he used to do as a young dog. Things like being able to hop into the back of your SUV or pickup truck. To make it possible for your dog to continue doing the things he loves doing, like going for rides with you, a good quality set of ramps can make all the difference in the world. The best thing about ramps is that they are designed to fold up, so you can take them with you.

As you look at the different types of ramps on the market, choose one that has a non-skid surface so your dog won't slip going up or down them. This will help to make your pup feel much safer, help build his self-confidence, and make the training go much easier. Also, be sure that no matter which method of training you choose, you use plenty of positive reinforcement. 

Getting your dog to walk up a ramp may not seem like a big deal to you, but to your dog, it can be very scary. The ramp bounces with every step he takes, it's narrow, sloping, and completely unfamiliar. This means he is likely to balk the first few times you try to get him to walk up it. However, if you do your job right, it won't take long before your pup is bounding up and down the ramp with wild abandon.

Your pup is a pretty smart guy, it won't take him long before he figures out that going up and down his own personal ramp is his ticket to being able to go for rides with you once again. Typically, this type of training is reserved for older dogs, but you can also start "ramp training" when your dog is a pup and can't yet jump up into your vehicle. 

You can choose to start teaching your dog when he is still a puppy and can't even reach the bumper of your vehicle, let alone jump up inside of it. Or, you can wait until he has reached an age at which he is visibly struggling to do so. The choice is yours, but if you can, start this training as early as possible, as teaching things like this is much easier when your dog is young. You will need a few things, including:

• Treats: You need them to entice and reward your dog when he does what's expected of him.
  
• Ramp: Choose one that has a non-slip surface for the safety of your pup.
  
• Leash: You may need this depending on the age of your pup and the type of training you choose. 
  
• Some blocks: To increase the incline of the ramp during training.
  
• Time: It will take a few weeks for your dog to master this skill.
  
• Patience: No matter how long it takes, never become impatient or give up. Your pup will learn when he is ready.
  

The big thing here is to ease into the training rather than jumping in with both feet. This will make it much less stressful for both you and your pup and ensure the training is a roaring success.