Dogs - Laminate Flooring

[jennifer_cro]

We have recently got our first dog - however we have laminate flooring and he slides everywhere.

He is now really anxious about walking on the floor, does anyone know of a solution other than getting a carpet/rug? We have tried paw wax as suggested by our pet shop but with no success.

[Donner Kebab]

trainers?

[drgnrdr]

How old is he?What kind of dog is he? How recently is "recently" and what have you tried so far?

[jennifer_cro]

He is a 6 year old large border collie and we have had him for 2 weeks.

[drgnrdr]

I don't know what you've tried so is there anywhere at all he is safe from the slippery floor? Have him checked by vet to be sure he has no arthritis or such that causes him pain if his joints are streched out and straining. Allot of dogs don't like the vinyl floors, they can't get purchase on it, like asking us to walk on ice with new slick soled shoes, scary thought huh? Since you've only had him for a couple of weeks, it will take time for him to trust/bond with you. Try to sound upbeat and happy about walking across the floor, put down a track of the most water salivating treats (when they are hungry, not after he just had his meal), put him on leash and stand at the edge of the floor( if you have an area with a rug), and don't force him over it, let him get comfortable, and any forward movement on his part praise him calmly and high pitch voice and give him one of the treats in your other hand, (one hand is holding leash), you could also go onto the floor (to the end of his ? ft leash)yourself and sit on it and talking to him happy, don't try to soothe him, "it's okay, it's okay" is not what they hear they hear"yes I want you to be afraid I am rewarding you with my voice for being this way" Act happy and non-chalant, play with a ball or squeaky toy if he likes those, that is where he will see nothing is wrong, your not nervous why should he be and going slow, and praising his progress gives him a chance to build his confidence. Since I can't see you nor him I have to go by general info, To get around the house he will have to walk on the surface if it's all over the place. It just takes time.

[jennifer_cro]

Thanks - I have tried this method of using treats this evening and it works! Hopefully the more we do it the more confident he will become.

[lankeela]

The more relaxed he is the better he will become. Every time he walks on the floor without slipping he will relax a little more. Don't push him to do it, let him make his own progress and praise every time he goes on it without slipping.

Try feeding him on it - so his mind is taken off moving about.

[SueMoneyRowley]

We have got some 'boots' for our old dog who slips on our ceramic tiles. They are made by Ruff Wear.