Dogs don't like steps

[Dave & Kate]

Has anyone with smaller dogs had any problems with the steps into the trailer. We have two Corgi's and when we tried to show them the trailer yesterday, they would not even try to go up them. And once we put them inside, same thing going out. One slipped on the step going down and the other one just jumped from the top step. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[gr8daggett]

We have two Corgis as well.
Only had them in the camper a couple times at home .....and ....yes there were stumbles going in and leaps from the second step going out.
We added step covers and an extra step platform under the bottom step. Helped a little.

We are finally leaving on our very first camping trip (shake down cruise) today.
We will try hanging some cloth behind the first two steps (like a riser) to see if that helps their perception.
I was told once that as they look at the steps they really don't see much from their angle so it is scary to take that leap.

We also had to put rugs everywhere in the 5th wheel to keep them from sliding, especially the steps inside up to the bedroom.

We will check back in when we get back.

 

[WhittleBurner]

I have 3, one is elderly and can't navigate the steps going in or out at all. She doesn't even like the step going up to the bedroom, but with coaxing will go up. Going down it she needs guidance.
We use a ramp. The little guy will try to use the entry steps but prefers using the ramp. I worry hell slip or misstep and get hurt when he uses the steps. (but he is a little easier to pick up)
The third dog will try to jump on the ramp from the side if we don't lead him to the bottom of the ramp.
Or he'll attempt use the narrow strip of the steps left for us to use to try and get in, he is such a goof

The ramp is made by SolvIt, most times it's not to steep. For the occasions it is we put something under the bottom to make a small step. We set it to the right side of the steps and it leaves about 8 inches for us to navigate
It's a bit of a PIA but it's the best solution we have come up with and way easier than lifting a 70 lb dog in and out

 

[Boomer]

We have a large (150 pound) chocolate lab Jack. I also had a black lab that blew out his knee going down some steps, $2000 later he was fine with a titanium joint. We bought a ramp that extends to six feet is less than ten pounds and easily fits into the basement. Trained Jack within about three. Weeks he now uses it anytime we camp. It's not the going up that's the problem, it's the going down.

 

[Paul & Deb]

Yeah, our little girl will not attempt the stairs, in or out. Poor little girl just stands there and looks helpless She makes us carry her to bed at night too but it's all a ploy. When we're gone for the day we come home to find her sleeping in the bedroom so I know she can make it up and down those stairs if she really wants to.

 

[2hams]

Molly has gotten used to the steps. The thin anti slip strips we got at the rally last year helped a lot.

She will not go up the steps if the step light is on, it is right in her face.

 

[smkunder]

We have a large (150 pound) chocolate lab Jack. I also had a black lab that blew out his knee going down some steps, $2000 later he was fine with a titanium joint. We bought a ramp that extends to six feet is less than ten pounds and easily fits into the basement. Trained Jack within about three. Weeks he now uses it anytime we camp. It's not the going up that's the problem, it's the going down.

I also have a elderly dog that can not do steps at all 85 lbs to lift in and out, just wondering what brand ramp and where you found it?

 

[Boomer]

The ramp mfg. is Solvit, I think I bought it of Amazon. They have a couple of sizes, the six foot one works.

 

[wrp75_CO]

I'll echo the ramp thought. Our 130 lb dog is unenthusiastic about the steps, but a ramp that takes care of the bottom 2 steps makes all the difference. (He's also old and has bad hips.)

 

[JustinThyme]

My Labrador is 130lbs and completely healthy and will not even attempt the steps, they are just too steep and spacing is all wrong. If the RV industry had to adhere to any sort of code with these steps they would fail. My wife doesnt even like them (she has bed knees from rowing through two masters degrees in college) and blew out her right knee when we were moving from one RV to the other before I got the wooden steps with a platform built. Dog went right up them no worries.

 

[ASchuler]

We have a Chihuahua, Jasmine. We just got our Solitude a few weeks ago. (LOVE IT!) Jasmine was a little nervous on the steps at first, as I think they are just a smidge higher and farther apart than the rv we traded in. She is getting used to them now, but I can tell she stops and contemplates them a little before she heads up the steps. Now, the bed is a diffferent story! We put a 3" memory foam/gel topper on it. Our first camping trip, she jumped down in the middle of the night to go roam, when she came back, I heard her jump up and fall back on the floor. I am planning on getting one of the little fold up step stools and put it by my side of the bed, just to be safe!

 

[MImilt]

Try covering the steps with the carpet covers available at rv stores.
Our beagle always was hesitant to go up the steps until we covered them.
Apparently he didn't like the feel of the metal.
Milt

 

[sersteve01]

We have two Corgis as well.
Only had them in the camper a couple times at home .....and ....yes there were stumbles going in and leaps from the second step going out.
We added step covers and an extra step platform under the bottom step. Helped a little.

We are finally leaving on our very first camping trip (shake down cruise) today.
We will try hanging some cloth behind the first two steps (like a riser) to see if that helps their perception.
I was told once that as they look at the steps they really don't see much from their angle so it is scary to take that leap.

We also had to put rugs everywhere in the 5th wheel to keep them from sliding, especially the steps inside up to the bedroom.

We will check back in when we get back.

Can you take pictures of your step covers, please take the picture of the steps opened and closed. How did you attach them to the steps.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Cate&Rob]

Hanging something behind the steps, so the dog can't see through them, could help. We had a dog a while back that would happily go down the stairs to the basement, but wouldn't come back up, because the risers were open.

Our current dogs are 2 1/2 year old Collie / Border Collie cross sisters from the same litter. They only use the center step going in either direction. Sometimes Molly doesn't use the steps at all . . . but that is easy for her.



Rob

 

[JustinThyme]

The angle is just all wrong. I don't even like them and my wife refuses to use them (she blew her knees out rowing boats for an Ivy league school), too steep. Would have worked if there was one more step. If this was a residential application they wouldn't meet code. I cant imagine getting a smaller dog to go up them when my 130 lb Labrador wont. I'm at a seasonal site so my rig doesn't go anywhere and I built a set of steps with a 3x3 landing and 5 steps. I still don't like the steps inside either. should have had one more step there as well.

 

[WhittleBurner]

What we have also done in the past for the dogs before we had to use a ramp is place a runner of indoor/outdoor carpet going down the steps and secured it with bungees. None of our dogs like the steps if they can see through them.
We also place an extra step at the bottom if needed.
It's an aerobic work out step, it has an adjustable riser attached so no extra pieces to haul around.

 

[MitterMoe]

The poodle is a "carry on" the Springer Spaniel doesn't even know we have steps and the Great Pyrenees is a little slow and gettin on in years, so either up the toy ramp or I bought a ramp from Summit Racing to get her in and out of the back of the pick-up which works well too. Just like American Express used to say in their ads...don't leave home without them

 

[JustinThyme]

LOL@ "carry on".

I very seldom leave Murphy anywhere. With him being a certified service animal I can take him where I please but a few times it just wasn't fair to him so he stayed home. Note I said home and not a kennel. The few times he did stay he had a sitter stay with him. Very nice gal that works for the wifey just loves him silly and spoils him rotten. She stays in our home with him so he doesn't have to go anywhere.

 

[MonkeyMan]

Try covering the steps with the carpet covers available at rv stores.
Our beagle always was hesitant to go up the steps until we covered them.
Apparently he didn't like the feel of the metal.
Milt

I think this was the case with our yellow lab as well. She had no issues in our last trailer (we'd put rugs on those steps) and after slipping one time on the new 355TH's maiden voyage she wasn't too happy about the steps.

Stopped into an RV store, picked up a set for the set of front steps and our girl had almost no issues since. Once in a while she looks at the stairs and thinks about it for a second or two, then up she goes.

 

[MImilt]

Can you take pictures of your step covers, please take the picture of the steps opened and closed. How did you attach them to the steps.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I don't have any pictures, but can describe them for you. We purchased some ready made ones for our previous trailer. they have four grommets in the corners
and wrap around the step. Then you attach the supplied springs between the grommets. On this trailer I made some from a heavier carpet runner and put
in grommets, then fastened them in place using zip ties. I don't remove them and they fit just fine with steps folded for travel.
MImilt