Help for Older Dog

happyclappy

happyclappy

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After some thoughts/ideas/suggestions please.

I have an Irish Setter who is just short of 11 years old, I got him aged 4 years. Over the last six months he has started struggling to get onto the back seat of my small car. This is the only way he can get in/out, via the back passenger door.
Ramps won't fit, so contemplating a harness so I can "lift" him. However, harnesses support the chest and not the rear hip area. We are also considering a life jacket for him as we hope to get him on board our boat at some point (assuming he is still alive by the time we get the boat home, worst case scenario!)

Medication from the vet has not helped, nor natural products.

So ant thoughts ideas or suggestions please
 
i had the same problem with my lurcher and got some steps to help her in and out as she hated being lifted.. i have a freelander and use the side door as well. i looked at ramps but as you have said none of them fit...i.i got mine from e bay, seller was ukmart365 and they were advertised as portable wooden 2 in 1 folding steps/ramp ..the steps were a good width and depth so she felt safe on them. they were £19.99 and after i lost her i gave them to a lady with an old collie and she had no problem using them...
 
A small leather/pseudo-leather pouffe purchased from ebay helps my oldies get into the car unaided. It is waterproof (having been koachalined), it is light weight and they seem happier with it than any ramp or steps I have tried before.
 
You could look at either some of the small caravan type steps, or failing that teach your dog to put his paws up on the seat and you could lift his back end in.
 
You can get harnesses for the back end if you want to lift him in. Or use a long towel. Have you thought about hydro so see if it would help build the strength back? The results can be quite surprising.
 
WorkingGSD said:
teach your dog to put his paws up on the seat and you could lift his back end in.
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which is exactly how I would get my old setter in a car-cued him him with 'ready' and would scoop up his back end with the crook of my elbow. we got quite adept at it. I also tried a mini-pallet thing (came with some equipment for work-solid top, about a foot high-not the lightest thing but I do drive a van) with some success.

Petplanet has a range of steps.
 
I have a very overweight and non-agile rescue Goldie. He sits very close to the opened back door. I lift his front feet onto the ledge, then put my arms round his bottom and say 'hup'! It works better and better especially now he is keen to get in and tries to use a bit of his own energy!
 
splashgirl45 said:
i had the same problem with my lurcher and got some steps to help her in and out as she hated being lifted.. i have a freelander and use the side door as well. i looked at ramps but as you have said none of them fit...i.i got mine from e bay, seller was ukmart365 and they were advertised as portable wooden 2 in 1 folding steps/ramp ..the steps were a good width and depth so she felt safe on them. they were £19.99 and after i lost her i gave them to a lady with an old collie and she had no problem using them...
Click to expand...

Splashgirl do these steps give the dog access straight to the rear seat? Like you, I have a Freelander. Our old Dobie really struggles to get in and out. She needs a bit of a run at it (well amble as she can't run), gets onto the footwell behind the passenger seat, then hauls herself onto the rear seat. Its that last bit thats really difficult for her. Being a big dog I can't possibly lift her, so if these steps are high enough I'll get some!
 
cowgirl16 said:
Splashgirl do these steps give the dog access straight to the rear seat? Like you, I have a Freelander. Our old Dobie really struggles to get in and out. She needs a bit of a run at it (well amble as she can't run), gets onto the footwell behind the passenger seat, then hauls herself onto the rear seat. Its that last bit thats really difficult for her. Being a big dog I can't possibly lift her, so if these steps are high enough I'll get some!
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i had the back seats folded down as i have a dog cage and my lurcher could step up ok ,not sure if it would be high enough if you need dog to access the back seat directly.. if you look on e bay i think it has the measurements....you could always have the back seats folded down and put a dog bed there....
 
Thanks, some great suggestions, will try one or two and see how we go, the rear seat is always up and he gets into the footsteps first. Can't really put the seat down as the height will get higher for him. Daft ti NY car!
 
rara007 said:
What medications have you tried? Have you tried any Physio/hydro/acupuncture?
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We've got our old girl on YuMove Dog. It's made a tremendous difference to her. It hasn't cured all her problems of course, but it has really improved her quality of life. Would highly recommend.
 
No help I know because I wouldnt have a clue how to teach it but my dog does this naturally. Diesel my male Dobe did his cruciate a few years ago and he was having hydro sessions every week, he weighs 40kg. I had a Fiesta at the time and I would get him in the footwell of the back and he would just fall back on to the seat. The therapist asked me how I was getting him in the car so I showed her, she couldnt believe it but it worked, he had a harness on which I then clipped to the seat belt so he was safe once he was in position. I wish I could have videoed it. He is a strange dog though as he will sit on the sofa or chair with just his bum on it and then just fall back.
 
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