Registered: Sep 2017
Location:
Posts: 169

Just curious what method you guys have luck with getting a dog to load itself into tailgate/dog box? Got a 2 year old that just wants to put his feet up on tailgate and me do the rest. He is too big for that and want to teach him. What say you old pros?

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Registered: Oct 2011
Location: Merersburg PA
Posts: 68

I normally just have them on lead and get them to get a little running start. Then with a quick upward tug on the lead as they get close to the tailgate give the load command. Then praise and give them a treat the first couple of times. If it seem to be a confidence issue ( like they don't think they jump that high) start with something lower than your tailgate and work your way up.

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Registered: Nov 2014
Location: S.E. IOWA
Posts: 371

When I have one that will not jump up, I grab the collar instead of the lead and let them get a little momentum going . They will usually catch on pretty quick.

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Registered: Dec 2018
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 8

If you go to the other section in the classifieds look up WildWillys way. Had a big male dog did the same thing as yours. After 15 min of following his directions haven't had no problems since. It works!!!!!!!! I would also look into his training video great learning tool

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Registered: Feb 2015
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 1183

My methods pretty old school. I simply either take the dog box out or push it far enough forward that there is room. Then get a hay bale or something similar that allows me to step up into the bed of the truck. I then simply put the dog on the leash and walk up into the bed. Most time the dog will just walk up with me. I always say the same thing. Load Up. Praise the dog when he's in the bed of the truck. After a few times I simply walk up like I'm going to get in and tell him Load UP. Maybe give a slight tug but most times the dog will gladly jump in the truck. Again praise him. I always try to separate get in the box from load up. Want him to load first. Then teach him to go in the box. Works for me especially with young dogs that have a little difficulty jumping in. I then take the hay bale away. Just make sure the dog can make the jump.

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Tom Wood

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location:
Posts: 419

I have used mr.woods method on many also using some food or a treat when loading them I've never had problems getting one to load

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 737

When I need to teach this, I make the task easy for the dog to start with. Make sure that the dog is comfortable on the lead. Once this is accomplished. I drop my tailgate and back my truck into my yard so that my back tires are in the side ditch. The tailgate is now about 6-12 inches off the road.

Now you simply walk them into the box, using the LOAD command. Praise and pet them up when they go into the box. You guide them with the strap if needed. Repeat until the dog hits the open box on command. Now simply move the truck forward, raising the distance they have to jump in and continue to have them LOAD.

This 15-20 minute session will save HOURS of frustration if you don't do it.

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Registered: Jan 2013
Location: Marietta
Posts: 10790

Cheap hot dogs will make a hound pup do anything.


Tar

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Tar the hotdogs have went the way of our dogs and dog food. There use to be beef hotdogs. Now there are chicken, turkey, buzzard and all kinds of bird meat. My dogs load better on 100% beef. Before anyone straightens me out on the 100% beef hotdogs. Yes I know it has plenty of beef swept off the floor in them. But beef still sounds better, smells better and makes the dogs jump higher.

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Registered: Jan 2013
Location: Marietta
Posts: 10790

quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
Tar the hotdogs have went the way of our dogs and dog food. There use to be beef hotdogs. Now there are chicken, turkey, buzzard and all kinds of bird meat. My dogs load better on 100% beef. Before anyone straightens me out on the 100% beef hotdogs. Yes I know it has plenty of beef swept off the floor in them. But beef still sounds better, smells better and makes the dogs jump higher.

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Registered: Mar 2009
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 209

If you have a flat top doghouse feed them on top of it. Command them up and it will transfer to the tailgate.tailgate.

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
Posts: 22586

It sounds like your dog has trained you to load him up. If mine want to go hunting, they have to load themselves up. If they dont load up, they don't get to go. It is amazing how fast they learn that if they want to go hunting, they have to jump up onto the tailgate.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Morrison TN
Posts: 4927

Wow you guys do a better job than me because you are socializing more. I just always grabbed them by the collar hollered load and threw them in the back of the truck. After a few times of their belly hitting the tailgate they started jumping in. I just do it when I take them for a ride or hunting. These other ways listed are better because it gives them more socialization than my way and I never put much thought into it.

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Registered: Feb 2015
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 1183

[QUOTE]Originally posted by yadkintar
Cheap hot dogs will make a hound pup do anything.


Tar [/QUOTE

Tar I have used hot dogs but I have one dog that absolutely will not touch one. I tried every way to use it as a reward for him when he was young and he never ate one bite. May be a smart dog????

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Tom Wood

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Buncombe Il.
Posts: 177

I just back truck up to back of a ditch bank which makes the jump much easier, Right before dog loads into truck I yell "Load". It seems to only take dog about 5 to 10 minutes and they've got it figured out..

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Registered: Jun 2004
Location: 3515-38st-moline ill.
Posts: 558

If you have a ditch or low spot making the truck bed lower has worked for me.In fact its my preferred method.But I recently had one didn't want to load so I started feeding her on the truck bed and after a few days of telling her to load so she could eat it worked like a charm.

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