How To Get My Dog To Walk On Hardwood Floors

This is an extreme solution to the problem of slippery floors but if you are considering getting new floors anyway this could be the way to go.

How to get my dog to walk on hardwood floors.

Your anti slip solution could be as simple as giving your dog s nails a trim. Speak with your veterinarian about underlying medical conditions. In addition keep nails and fur between paw pads trimmed to make the dog s paws less prone to slipping. If your dog is afraid of hardwood floors here are 5 steps you can take right now 1.

If your dogs or you are having traction problems on your floors take a look at puppy treads. You see if your dog s nails are too long your dog will place weight on the nails when walking instead of his toe pads. You start by just clicking the clicker and tossing her a treat immediately afterward toss the treat to her do not toss the treat on the hardwood all you are doing at this point is teaching her that the click means food is coming her way. Put in different floors or refinish them.

Make sure the hair between your dog s pads is trimmed so the dog is not walking on hair. This method of having a dog face its fears directly is known as flooding. You should sit a few feet away from the dog on the hardwood floor you re not trying to lure her you re demonstrating that the floor is safe and you are providing her with a target to look at i e. Make floors less slippery.

Flooding can be effective in some cases think of tossing a child scared of water in a swimming pool but it has good risks of aggravating fear at times and giving only transient poorly reliable results. Avoid forcing a dog into a situation he is afraid of i e don t drag him onto a slick floor and hold him there. Training can also help a dog relax on slippery floors. When it comes to slippery floors like wood or tiles long nails reduce your dog s ability to grip the floor.

If your dog has a fear of hardwood floors it s important to talk with your veterinarian. If your dog is having a really hard time walking on your floors you do have the option of putting in different floors. They fit the bill for us and have helped give lily some added stability. Keep your dog s nails trimmed so it s walking on it s pads and not it s nails.

It will help them get up easier by not having their paws slip out as they are trying to get up. If your dog lies on the hardwood floor i recommend either placing a dog bed down for them or a rug where they lay. Repeat tossing the toy farther and farther out onto the hardwood floor as your puppy becomes more and more confident walking on the hardwood floor.