Did I miss her saying that the pup has a problem with the house steps,too?

If so I agree with Aaron...if the steps have been properly introduced from the beginning & their is still a problem I would also suspect a possible physical issue going on. If the dog is reluctant to jump over on or off things then there is most likely some medical problem. Or if this has been forced in any way a mental problem with it.

 Quote: Gail Cargile

After my plea on the forum last night we withheld morning feeding and Sable made it up the first half of the stairs in the house to the first landing after quite a bit of luring with her all time favorite raw hamburger. ... Now the problem is she is absolutely glued to the landing and won't go up or down.

 Quote:

Sable had been rewarded for putting both front paws unto the utv for quite some time and we seemed stuck there.

I think we all read this a little different. This line caught my attention more then the stairs in the house. I thought the same as Faisal and Al, just go and don't give her too much time to worry about it. I didnt think health at all, more just some confusion training had created.

 Quote: steve strom

 Quote:

Sable had been rewarded for putting both front paws unto the utv for quite some time and we seemed stuck there.

I think we all read this a little different. This line caught my attention more then the stairs in the house. I thought the same as Faisal and Al, just go and don't give her too much time to worry about it. I didnt think health at all, more just some confusion training had created.

Yes, I think "house" meaning motorhome.

Hi folks, sorry my response of gratitude is so delayed but we lost Internet service last night and I have just reentered the real world.

In response to several of your comments the reason for "last hour" training is that we just got the motor home. The other reason is that the utv and stairs are at our second home at which haven't been to in since Sable was very small.
Our home where we are most of the time sits flat on the ground and I can't think of a public place locally with steps where I could take her for training.

The latest update is that I had to get her off stairs in the house by scooting downon my but with her body in my lap and her hiding her head under my arm with her body tense and trembling. One reason I decided to abandon any further stair training was from one of you mentioning the "slippery factor". So, after some playtime and recuperation, off to the Ranger utv to try Faisal's method. She had her front feet in, and wearing her DD collar I gave her some
encouragement with a little pull and in she came. Then she hopped up on the seat which is a tight squeeze for her. Can a dog be proud of herself? I think she was. While we were on a roll we went over to the motorhome and went for the same technique. Eureka! She did great going up and down. She just skipped a step or two (there are 6) in each direction. The steps have some kind of antislip

Chapter 2 of this novel.

So, for this episode, I am grateful to all of you for your comments. In case you hadn't figured it out, this is the very first forum I have ever participated in. Thanks,too, for your patience. By the way, Sable was examined at age 6 months for possible joint/physical problems and is in perfect health. And, we did use a ramp for her into back of suv and she never liked it. We ju.st found it easier to pick her up as we have another ancient dog we have to pick up to load. Ya'll are great. Thanks.

Do you have a local park/playground? Go in the early morning, or late evening,
(when kids and other distractions are at a minimum) and try to work her with some marker training on the playground equipment(stairs are usually low and wide). Or, teach her touch pads. Once she's confidently touching the pad, move it up the stairs in small increments.

Places that usually have stairs: libraries, schools, court houses, churches, colleges always have steps someplace on campus, older post offices, golf courses almost always have steps to elevated tees, etc, etc.
Steps are hard to avoid if you look for them, they're everywhere.

 Quote: gail cargile

Can a dog be proud of herself? I think she was.

Yes, I think they can. Okay, I know that's anthropomorphizing. (Hope I spelled that right.) Anyway, I think we've all seen our dogs have those "ah-ha" moments where they have a breakthrough with an exercise they didn't understand or an issue that caused fear. It's a wonderful feeling for us, so I guess it is for the dog, too!

Welcome to the forum, Gail. Enjoy your long trip, and I hope we'll see you around here soon.

Not anthropomorphizing at all.

Both pride and envy have been concluded to be legitimate animal emotions.