| If the height is an issue, you could buy a ramp. I have one from Foster's and Smith, I think, that folds, is sturdy enought for Danes, and has been a godsend for my elderly lab/GSD cross now that he can no longer jump into vehicles. Of course, Merlin might refuse to walk up the ramp too . . . |
| Most people wouldn't understand all the things we are willing to go thru for, & with, our Danes. I have yet to see one that does not give us a new educational experience at least every week, normally every day <G>. We got a full sized van for our possible Florida trip this October & have been trying to think of a ramp or step for easier loading (both the Danes & for me <G>). Never had that problem with Mini-Vans but, like I say, Danes are an educational experience. |
| Boy, oh boy, our Danes surely know how to make fools out of us.
Don't they? >G< I just bought a new van; getting delivery this week. Neither Rommel nor my two Cairns will give me any trouble, I know. However, we'll see about Maximus who is very particular. But then, he might surprise me. LOL |
| Good luck. I'll be waiting to see how it goes the next try. I was sure he would get in with another dane. |
| Hi.
Althought I didn't post any suggestions...I loved reading all the feedback last week. I send congratulations for your progress!! And I have to tell you, once again, your photos are fabulous! (Ps: Autumn appears to be the reincarnation of my Mocha, our first dane. She was such a love...) Best of luck with Merlin going happily for more rides now that the dreaded first ride is out of the way! |
| I love the pics! Keep trying and hopefully Merlin will jump up on his own. I think that your right, if Merlin does not like to jump up like my Moses it will be difficult but not impossible that he do it on his own. Sometimes it depends on the "mood". Moses does not like my Chevy Tahoe-too high but he will eventually get in when he realizes if he doesn't we all sleep at the dog park!. Keep us posted. Nice looking car and dog Ginnie! |
| I had the same problem when I bought my truck. I thought the dogs would love it but it is difficult for my dane becasue of the height. She will get in but needs help. The next vehicle will likely be a small SUV and we will test it on the dogs before purchasing. |
| We have the opposite problem...when we take the danes for a walk, we have to be careful that they don't jump in someone else's open hatch/door/trunk/etc. They love rides :-) Liz |
| Hurray and Congratulations on Merlin's success! Glad to hear you got past the first obstacle. LOL! The Vehicle obstacle course.
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| Glad to see that Merlin got in the car, albeit with a little help. Alas, I think it's a simple problem---it's not "his car." He misses his old one, and it just may take time for him to get used to it. (Our-- late---Duchess was the same way when we got new cars, but she got used to them.)
I wish you continued luck with this, Ginnie. Also, keep up the good work with the site! |
| A relief to know I am not the only one that buys cars for my dogs. I traded in my cute BMW 2 seater convertable for a basic Frod Explorer. Friends thought I was crazy. Have you ever tried to pick up a rescued Dane from the pound and wedge their dirty flea infested bodies into a tiny front seat? Not fun. |
| Excellent!!! My big "cat" Macee won't climb either. She will try to help by putting her front feet up but will not for any reason put her back feet in my Durango. She stands there and I swear she batts her eyes at me like pleeeeaaasse Mama? Eventually with lots of effort I can get her in. She is about 220 pounds and if I get down on one knee and put the othe one up she will sometimes step on my knee to get in. My husband tries to beg, force, push, whatever he thinks will work and then just picks her up. I am so glad that somebody else has to pick up the baby. |
| Merlin doesn't look too miserable in the new car! Just give him some time!
If people thought about the reasons they have for buying a new car (ie.kids, business) they wouldn't think se were so strange for buying a car for our furkids! Thy just don't think about that before they say something. I listened to my family discuss their kids in their car buying planning and lauged becasue they were saying the same things we were saying when we bought the Outback for Charm. Go figure! |
| hope you're plan will work,, just don't force the issue ..that will make the matter worse... I too have enjoyed all the stories and articles on this web site.. keep up the good work !!!! |
| Ramps DO NOT work! The incline is too steep for the Danes. I have an unused ramp, which I'm about to donate to the local Dane Club as a trophy. Having recently bought a SUV that sits higher up, I had the same problem with my 9-yr. old Dane. I now back the car into a low area so she can jump in and out easily and that seems to work - though it limits where we go! |
| This is a belated comment but here goes.... I just bought a mini version of my F250 Ford truck, a Ford Ranger because Bella makes such a fuss of getting in and it is REALLY high. Hard enough for me to get in and out. I got an extended cab for Bella to ride behind me and I'm going to have the child seats taken out to give her more room. But now she's got this thing about any gravel on the road hitting the car freaks her out. She doesn't want to get in the truck now, takes a few minuites each time. What a wooos too. |
| HELP!! My 2 year old lab-sheperd mix has STOPPED wanting to ride in my Highlander SUV. When I bought it in July, my dog had no problems - he jumped in and out with no hesitation. All was well until 2 weeks ago when out of the blue, he completely STOPPED getting into the car. He lays down or sits down - he will not get into the car. It is the strangest thing. My dog went from loving to ride anywhere I went - to not wanting to ride at all. At first, it took about an hour to get him to finally jump into the car - now, he just won't do it. THis is stressing me out - I don't want to give him up but what I am going to do? I have tried everything - to no avail. With thanksgiving coming, I have no idea how I am going to get him into the vehicle. He weighs 73 pds but since its dead weight when I am trying to get in the vehicle, it feels more like 100 pounds. I am desperate and need ANY advice that any of you can provide. I love my dog - he gives me very little problems and is a good watchdog. However, not being able to take him anywhere is something that I just can't accept. Appreciate you taking the time to consider my cry for help!! |
| Okay, I have a Ford Ranger and a lovely blue Dane, Flyer. At times, it seemed that Flyer simply didnt want to get in the truck, which, at first, I thought it was his protest of the new seating arrangment. He used to sit in the passenger seat (slid all the way back), front feet on the floor and head out the window, until I decided he was never going to properly understand "Move your head, Flyer, I cant see!" and that the streams of dried drool streaking down the passenger door were not only possibly damaging to the paint job, but certainly detremental to the (few) human passengers' opinion of me. So Fly got moved to the cargo area just behind the seats (now slid all the way forward), head stuck out the tiny, slide-open back window, like some kind of weird, slobbery game trophy. I thought he was refusing to get in until I put the seat back and let him go in the front seat until one day it hit me that Flyer simply refused to get in on the driver's side. He would not jump in the truck through my door, neither to reclaim his front seat throne or stare dejectedly over the cargo bed. If I asked him up through the passenger door, it wasnt a problem. He is my first Dane, and the best dog I have ever known, and I am dying to know if he was wondering why I was so stupid as to try and get him to drive, or if he has his pals at the dog park rolling at the many ways he messes with my mind. Im glad to know that there is a website where I can send my friends and family to learn that I am not turning into the crazy dog lady that goes to outrageous lengths to accomadate my dog. In truth, I am being taught to be a good Dane assistant by my trainer, Flyer. |