Today was Day One in Bingo's journey to the destination of being able to continue taking journeys (in the car, that is). Namely: teaching my 12 year-old arthritic and highly stubborn Labrador to mount a simple two step device in order to access the back seats of my Grandmother's car.
Step 1 of Day One: PUTTING TOGETHER THE STEPS.
Well, that went far better than I had been expecting.
The box in which the steps were delivered promised "Easy Assembly!" in big letters, and I wanted to believe it, but having been stung by that particular claim before - more times than I can count - I must admit that I was skeptical. "Easy Assembly" is, after all, a relative concept. "Easy" for who? People who have a natural knack with DIY anyway; OR people who may have never before held a spanner/hammer/screws/drill/other in their life? Also, "Easy" for people with average or above average levels of fitness and upper body strength; OR fat slobs whose most energetic act of any given day was popping up and down a short flight of stairs to the loo and lifting/lowering a remote control?
As it turned out, "Easy" genuinely did mean "Easy". As in; "even a twit like YOU could manage this".
Good.
...Yep...
Step 2 of Day One: INTRODUCING DOG TO STEPS.
Bingo was very interested to meet the steps, which was a good sign. All sniffs and wags and 'ooh, what this?!'. Then we put them in place beside the sofa, and he carried on sniffing and wagging for a few minutes, then once he realized the steps weren't going to do anything more entertaining than sit there, did the dog equivalent of a shrug and walked off.
Step 3 of Day One (taking place close after Step 2): GETTING DOG TO TOUCH STEPS.
That one was easy. a) Lead dog to step. b) show dog treat. c) put treat on steps.
Step 4 of Day One: GETTING DOG TO STEP ONTO STEPS.
This was slightly more difficult.
...Okay, a lot more difficult.
Bingo knew we had treats, which was a good start. Bribery is a great weapon when trying to get a dog to co-operate and do and/or not do something.
There was however the matter that Bingo is not only heavy. He is also TALL. Tall enough to reach right OVER the steps and access the treats no matter how far back they were placed.
So, inducing him to put his feet onto the damn step to reach the treat instead, then, was a challenge. But eventually, with much encouragement and praise and downright begging, we managed and he placed both front paws on the bottom step before jumping off.
Cue, much rejoicing.
Step 5 of Day One: GETTING DOG TO REPEAT STEP 4.
This attempt led to abject failure. After much encouragement and praise and downright begging, Bingo became overwhelmed and confused and in the end the poor boy sat down because he didn't know what else to do.
So, we left it at that. Tomorrow was another day. In training - particularly with elderly dogs - patience is key.
Undefeated, however, I had another idea, and changed Step 5 slightly. Now, it is: LEAVE STEPS IN PLACE AND BLOCK OFF ALL ACCESS TO THE SOFA, SO IF DOG WISHES TO ACCESS ONE OF HIS FAVOURITE SPOTS, HE HAS TO USE THEM.
The likelihood of this working, is, admittedly, minimal. The dog, after all, has more than one favourite spot, not including his bed. But, there is a (very small, small) chance, and anyway; while the steps are sat there he can become used to having them around and they will absorb and retain faint traces of the various household scents (which for an animal guided by its nose, is great).
So, that's it, for now.
The process will be repeated over the next few days, and continue until Bingo is happy and confident and so are we. Then the process will start over again outside, leading into the car.
Now, two questions may have occurred to you, reader(s)...
1. why not start with the car rather than doing it all indoors only to have to start all over again?
2. why steps, rather than a ramp?
The answer to both is simple.
Firstly, it's advised to get a dog used to obeying specific training indoors as the dog will feel more secure and at ease. There are less distractions to break the dog's concentration.
Secondly, training of any kind is easiest if the building begins on a familiar base, and after years of trundling up and down our stairs; Bingo's mindset is already hunkered down onto that track and ready to roll. They are also (providing you buy the correct kind) sturdier and (generally speaking) need less space than ramps to be fully and safely functional. The little 'Two Step' version that I have, for instance, can be used just as easily indoors as out, and with it the dog can climb up onto or into a wide variety of places (bed, sofa, car, caravan...you name it). Ramps, as well, though more convenient for the owner as the majority of them are fold-able for easy transport, have the distinct disadvantage of there being nothing underneath supporting them. For humans, that might be no problem - because you know what's happening and that it'll take your weight without breaking - but for dogs? That's a hard hurdle to overcome. It CAN be overcome, obviously, but why force the issue when you don't have to?
...Anyway. I feel optimistic.
With practice and patience, Bingo will get used to the steps, I'm sure he will. And then he can travel to see people again, and be spoiled and petted by Grandmama, Grandpapa and Great Aunt as he used to be.
He misses it. I know he does. He really felt it on Friday, when Mother set off for the Grandmama's alone, rather than with me and him. So much so, that I ended up cuddling him and watching The Good Old Days on BBC4, so he'd hear it going on in the background just as he would there. As I enjoy the program as a rule anyway, it wasn't a hardship (it was jolly good fun, actually, although I'm still not certain where on earth Ken Dodd got that feather duster from), but leaving him on Saturday to go and visit the Grandpapa certainly was. As we sometimes go somewhere else on Saturdays - leaving him behind - we didn't think it would be a problem, particularly as we were planning on bringing home a goodybag for him filled with his favourite treats, but it was. He sulked so much that he refused to eat his dinner until the early hours of the next morning, knowing that it would badly upset us.
So! It'll be good when all of this is sorted out.
Roll on Day Two.
=pushes up sleeves=
...I'm ready...
B.C.B.F.L.B. x
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