Community Forums

Glenn and Kathy · 10-03-2021, 10:49 AM

We have a new 9 mth old chocolate lab and have been unable to get her up the stairs into the coach. We even had a trainer we know to try with no luck. Anyone have any ideas. We tried all kinds of treats and other methods with no luck? We are thinking of trying a ramp, but want to avoid the hassle of storage for a large item.

Glenn

Alpine36 · 10-03-2021, 11:09 AM

We had a similar issue with our pup. He would not get into the coach, especially if it was running, so we shut it off first. He also didn't like the first step, so we put one of those cheap Camco bungee cord style carpet pads on the kwickee step. (we like that too!)
Put his favorite toy on the top step, and with the help of the training collar, coaxed him in a few times and rewarded him with a treat. He now has taken over the coach, and if I'm tinkering at home with the door open he comes right in and helps himself to "his" sofa. Persistence pays off, don't give up.

**Lt Dan** · 10-03-2021, 11:56 AM

Some times it's that first step that they are reluctant to go on. Place a treat or their favorite toy at the top, then lift them to the first two steps and have someone inside encouraging them to come up. Ours was reluctant at first but now runs up the steps.

KenZ71 · 10-03-2021, 06:23 PM

Does OP have other stairs new pup goes up & down?

Either way I would leave the door open for extended time periods with a small amounts of food on each step leading to inside of coach.

Jim18655 · 10-03-2021, 06:27 PM

Try a long lead and you just relaxing inside the RV. My dogs never liked being alone and would come up the steps.
You might also try blocks under the bottom step so they don't sag when the dog steps on them.

Hurricane-TX · 10-03-2021, 06:45 PM

Maybe your dog is telling you something about the coach! When I was a kid, our dog always barked seconds before the kitchen phone rang. My oldest dog Oreo always tells me when it's going to rain, usually 30 minutes before it starts. Some dogs have that sixth sense.

Skip426 · 10-03-2021, 06:46 PM

Could be seeing through the stairs is the issue , maybe try hanging something down from the upper tread to block the view.

jacwjames · 10-03-2021, 06:53 PM

We have traveled with multiple dogs. My wife has X-Pens that she puts up for the dogs to stay in while outside.

If you have an X-Pen try putting it up just outside the door with access left open into the coach. Put the dog in the X-Pen and go in the coach and just hang out. Try and coax it in the coach with treats etc.

That doesn't work, carry the dog into the coach and coax it out. Do this multiple times.

When my wife traveled to dog shows a lot those dogs knew the motorhome was home and knew going inside was super time or bed time.

ArtJoyce · 10-03-2021, 08:03 PM

Do your steps have one flat surface or is It made up by two or more slats? If so buy the small carpet covers. We have had issues through out the years with steps that had slats.

1Blue78 · 10-04-2021, 05:30 PM

We have a yellow lab that has a fear of stairs - especially the ones in our house. I think it originates from him falling down those stairs when he was 12 weeks old. He is now 4 years old but I cannot get him to go down the stairs in the house so I carry him (actually avoids the whole area at the top of the stairs) - he is now 80+ lbs so it is not great. Our old trailer only had 1 step so no issues. With our new trailer we have 3 steps and he was reluctant at first but I did not want to carry him so I made him get up the courage - he is fine with the trailer ones now. I would encourage you to make your dog do the stairs or you will be lifting him forever - good luck!

attached are a few pics of this spoiled guy and those scary stairs (after a hail storm)

**pasdad1** · 10-04-2021, 05:34 PM

Put carpet on each step. Dogs are afraid they will slip on the metal.

seeg · 10-04-2021, 05:55 PM

I almost wish I had your problem. Our Sheps are so afraid of being left behind that the minute the coach door opens their up the stairs and underfoot. Makes getting ready for a trip more of a hassle than necessary. Once the engine starts they settle in their places. When we stop we have to use the stay or back command or risk being run over on the way down the stairs. I don’t know why they insist upon being first in or out the door. I expect that as your dog matures she’ll want to be where you’re at and the stairs won’t be an issue.

Raider47 · 10-04-2021, 06:20 PM

Assuming that you have raw metal steps, here is another option besides carpet. You can buy foam rubber pads with adhesive backing on Amazon under "traction pad". Very easy to install.