Trying To Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
By MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
United States
December 26, 2024 10:39am CST
Happy Thursday Everyone! it's a sunny day here today with cold temperatures. We had a little bit of snow (just a few inches) so we had a white Christmas.
It was a busy few days and as much as I loved our Christmas family get together yesterday I am exhausted. I did have a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy Birthday.
One of the things Santa brought was steps for our old dog Mush. She's almost 15 and has been having trouble jumping up on the couch where she curls up and takes her naps. She just can't seem to do it wihout trouble so she just sits and cries until either my daughter or I pick her up and plop her on her blanket.
So, we thought getting dog steps would help her. It's just 3 small steps but perfect enough to reach the couch.
Do you think she'll use them? Nope
She sits next to them and cries. No matter how many times my daughter has tried to show her that if she goes up them she is able to just plop down on her blanket.
I don't know if she'll get the hang of those steps or if they will be something we'll have to return.
If she would only realize how much easier life would be for both her and us 
20 people like this
19 responses
@Juliaacv (51551)
• Canada
26 Dec
Poor Mush, how is her eyesight, could that be a hindrance that she possibly cannot see when she climbs to the top of the stairs?
Or maybe she is just a diva dog and prefers to be catered to.
We had snow before Christmas and since it gets cold at night it never really all went away.
5 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
21h
Her eyesight is not the greatest either so I'm assuming her vision is a bit impaired. However, she does have her diva moments lol
Our snow melted somewhat today and it was enough for the rest of the winter. Now that I've seen it I don't need any more
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50590)
• United States
26 Dec
I hope that she’ll catch on with the steps. Happy belated birthday.
5 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
21h
I hope she does. It would make things much easier
Thanks for the birthday wishes
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
21h
If Mush would just understand how helpful these steps would be it would make her life so much easier. Right now I'd bet my money on us returning them
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (182452)
• United States
26 Dec
Hmm, when my dog was having trouble getting on the bed where he liked to sleep he used a nearby chair to get up Jax usually needs some help to get on chairs or the couch. Happy Birthday to you!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (182452)
• United States
21h
@Marilynda1225 We just give him a boost when he is having trouble. I guess he probably weighs a bit less than Mush though.
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@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
21h
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Maybe Jax could give Mush some hints
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137786)
• United States
26 Dec
I'm glad you had a nice Christmas and a happy birthday. 
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137786)
• United States
20h
@Marilynda1225 You're welcome!
Thanks and yes, it was very nice.
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@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
21h
Thanks!! Hope you and Pretty had a nice Christmas
1 person likes this
. Hopefully Mush will get the hang of steps in time.@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
4h
Hope you and your family had a nice Christmas too. Thank you for the birthday wishes.
I doubt Mush will use those steps and would rather just let us help her. We still have time before the return date runs out so we'll see. If she only knew how much easier it would be for her but she refuses to have any part in it.
@allknowing (138003)
• India
20h
Mush is used to jumping and that is how she wants it to be How about putting her blanket on the floor?
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
4h
We tried putting her blanket on the floor and she wouldn't use it. I wish I could read her mind and figure out why she is so particular about where things should be
@RebeccasFarm (90547)
• Arvada, Colorado
26 Dec
Aw hope you will get to rest and relax today then Marilyn.
Poor ol doggie.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
21h
My plans to relax were disturbed too many times to include a nap but otherwise the day is going well
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69175)
• United States
26 Dec
Back before they made those steps, I noticed Freckles was starting to have problems (around age 8), so I made her some “steps” to the bed out of cinder blocks. She only had to be shown once, and she used them for the rest of her life. Goldie, however, was another subject: she’d still jump off the bed instead of walking down the “steps.”
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
26 Dec
I think Mush is more like Goldie. She won't walk up the steps but jumps down if we put her on the couch.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108448)
• Marion, Ohio
21h
Poor girl. I hope she starts using them.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
4h
It's doubtful but we'll see. We still have time before the return date runs out
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80906)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19h
Poor Mush I hope she realizes how these steps can help her, Probably just has to get used to them,
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
4h
If she realized that the steps would help she would love them but she refuses to even try.
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (14373)
• West Haven, Connecticut
26 Dec
She will use it once she realizes its making her on and off the couch easier
2 people like this
@LooeyVille (46)
• United States
18h
We had steps for our elderly cats to get on the bed
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168547)
• Boise, Idaho
20h
Now I know where the sun went, I bet Mush will be happy. I don't know Mush but hopefully the steps will get used.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
4h
The sun isn't going to be around for very long. Rain coming for the rest of the week and weekend.
it's doubtful Mush will use the steps but I'm not giving up on her yet. We still have time before the return date runs out.
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
4h
I think k you're right about Mush liking us helping her rather than getting up and down by herself. We'll have to try coaxing her with treats before giving up and sending those steps back.
@LindaOHio (182239)
• United States
9h
Maybe the steps are too much for her. Poor Mush. Happy Belated Birthday. I'm glad you had a good Christmas and Birthday. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83150)
• United States
4h
No amount of coaxing is working so I guess we'll have to return them. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
I'm glad you were able to visit your hubby and come home to a nice day with a delicious meal and some gifts.
