Cars Too High For Dogs To Jump Into

[mita]

My arms, and I lift., bend at the knees*

I love the mental pics of all of us getting different dogs into different cars in different ways.

Someone should follow dog owners around & make a documentary....with a suitable soundtrack. Got to be music that'd fit.

[BJ.]

Try a low slung dog, who weighs 30 kilos and the car is not his favourite place. With the station wagon I can get him to do the front paws up and I lift the back end, even that is still awkward with a basset. With the 4 wheel drive I have to bend my knees and lift, its not very graceful I can tell you. We have tried a ramp but no amount of BBQ chicken would work. We tried different styles of ramps made out of different materials, nope. Tried me in the back of the car gently pulling on the lead with chicken in my hand and we got the basset flop. He will walk up said ramps when they are on the back steps just not into the car. I try to rope help in for the lift otherwise I just brace and lift. Lifting him out is not a problem, he wants to get out and gravity is a bonus.

[dee lee]

Oh BJ, I'm sorry but your post had me giggling, imagining all those scenarios!

I shan't complain about Honey!! What a funny dog.

Dancingbcs, I'll give it another shot & try to teach her to jump- I'd rather she could do it on her own than have to cart around ramps or stools.

I'm not overly optimistic though. :p

[shelby-001]

I get in the back and 9/10 they will both jump in happily to the combo van if they didn't readily jump in, it's only about knee height. On the other hand the ute is higher and I drop the tailgate and have to muscle up and pick them up, sometimes it's pretty funny, 30kg of amstaff and 48kg of me, it would be an interesting site. Lilly ain't so bad she's only 20kg atm.... that will change though. Haven't bothered with other options as I can manage like this just fine.

[cointreau]

I changed my car last year from a sedan my girl just took a step into to a SUV and found jumping in the back was a problem so I bought a ramp and with encouragement Sparkles would walk up the ramp I used it for about 2 weeks and only at home then one day while the ramp was ready to use she jumped in and has done so since.

I used the ramp last week to get my lawn mower in the car so it could be fixed always knew it would be useful for something else. Now I have the ramp I am pleased because I never know when I might need it.

[perfect partners]

I have an older model Toyota Landcruiser and a Newfoundland. I started by teaching her 'paws up' on the tailgate and lifting her bum in and then eventually she started jumping in herself. I usuallly get her to stand back a bit so she has a bit of a run at it and I stand beside the tailgate so I can give her bum a bit of a shove if she needs it - sometimes if she's jumped from an angle, otherwise she's fine. I always lift her out though.

[newfsie]

Hubby made our dog ramp

This goes with us everywhere, we have a load of newfs and the average weight is 60kg, the step is only small and easy to carry. it comes on and off really easy. And it can even fit on whilst our trailers are on

[perfect partners]

Hubby made our dog ramp

This goes with us everywhere, we have a load of newfs and the average weight is 60kg, the step is only small and easy to carry. it comes on and off really easy. And it can even fit on whilst our trailers are on

Hi Newfsie. Your husband showed me that at the Newf show this year. It's a great idea. Unfortunately my car has a drop down tail gate otherwise I would have wanted one. How's Tobias going? Had hoped we might have seen you at the Christmas break up last Sunday.

[Rottifan]

Go to repco or an autobarn/car place or motorcycle shop. I got a 6ft aluminium ramp for a motorbike, light weight, folds in half, strong enough and I just put carpet over the aluminium flat steps. My 10yr old Rotti uses it like a breeze to get in and out of the back of my xtrail! Cheaper than the specialised pet ramps and I know its safe if its meant for a heavy motorbike!

[KOE]

I got the dogs to demo the ramp for me

Beautiful!!! That's the same as mine.

same here but silver and weighs next to nothing

[Golden Rules]

I got the dogs to demo the ramp for me

Beautiful!!! That's the same as mine.

same here but silver and weighs next to nothing

You must have the newer model. Mine is quite heavy. I might trade up one day

[Souff]

Here is the reluctant subject (pic is deceptive- the edge of the car is much higher than it looks here)

Hang on, are you sure she is not kidding you! She is a young Goldie and I tend to suspect that, unless she has a disability, she can do that jump if she has a mind to.

Have you tried waving a bag of liver treats or Schmackos from the back seat? Or her favourite food? Preferably before she has had a meal.

I would much prefer to see a young dog get into a habit of doing a bit of exercise than walking up ramps etc. But, that is provided she is healthy and has no physical disability that is stopping her from doing this.

I have seen Goldies jump into other vehicles that are quite high so I would be making sure it wasn't mind over matter before I trotted out any ramps or such like.

Souff

[dee lee]

I can see I am going to have to take another pic, that one does make it look very low.

It was one I took just to show off the car.

I tried again yesterday with some chicken and she was pretty keen to get up but just could not.

Trust me, I'm not a pushover and she is a fit & healthy dog.

She really can't do it and I don't blame her. Even the kids have to climb to get in.

When I get a chance I'm going to head off in search of ramp materials. I'm sure I can whip one up.

Til then she is my weight training!

Edited December 19, 2010 by ✽deelee

[Erny]

When I get a chance I'm going to head off in search of ramp materials. I'm sure I can whip one up.

Til then she is my weight training!

A simple box will do it.

[RoccosMum]

My 85kg dog jumps in. He is very agile for a big dog. The other one, 58kg will put his front paws up but OH and I have to lift his bum!! :D

[dee lee]

SHE DID IT!!! ;)

Hooray!!

I was going to take a photo of how high the tailgate is and thought I'd give it another shot.

I pulled out the big guns this time & got the kids in there to entice her- she LOVES the kids.

She was a bit uncertain, and I didn't think she'd make it, but then.... Up she jumped!!

We tried it 3 times and all 3 were a success! She just doesn't like it much, she's scared, but I'm sure she'll get used to it.

I'm so relieved. ;)

And feeling a bit sheepish.

(I still swear, it's really high though!!!)

Edited December 20, 2010 by ✽deelee

[raz]

We get payed out for it, but Orbit has a 'special stool' to help him get in the car. My car isn't that big, but the seats in the back are quite high and the step things are high for him to be lifting his weight on one leg.

So I just use this crate with a towel on it and it means he can leap up. Without it, he has to do an awkward climb which often needs assistance ;) [/img]

I wondered how someone as small as you got the porpoise in the car Do you ever have to shove Sparky in the back seat?

[Staranais]

SHE DID IT!!! ;)

Hooray!!

I was going to take a photo of how high the tailgate is and thought I'd give it another shot.

I pulled out the big guns this time & got the kids in there to entice her- she LOVES the kids.

She was a bit uncertain, and I didn't think she'd make it, but then.... Up she jumped!!

We tried it 3 times and all 3 were a success! She just doesn't like it much, she's scared, but I'm sure she'll get used to it.

I'm so relieved.

Hooray! Good girl!

Probably better for her health than using a ramp, too.

[mita]

SHE DID IT!!!

We tried it 3 times and all 3 were a success! She just doesn't like it much, she's scared, but I'm sure she'll get used to it.

Big leap for your girl! But she did it.

I agree with you, if she keeps doing it...it'll eventually become a habit

[cointreau]

SHE DID IT!!!

Hooray!!

I was going to take a photo of how high the tailgate is and thought I'd give it another shot.

I pulled out the big guns this time & got the kids in there to entice her- she LOVES the kids.

She was a bit uncertain, and I didn't think she'd make it, but then.... Up she jumped!!

We tried it 3 times and all 3 were a success! She just doesn't like it much, she's scared, but I'm sure she'll get used to it.

I'm so relieved. :D

And feeling a bit sheepish.

(I still swear, it's really high though!!!)

That's great

She will get use to it I think it is not so much they don't want to jump in it is more making sure they fit and don't hurt themselves getting in. Once she gets use to it I think you might have trouble stopping her from leaping into the car.