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stoutfellowIt occurred to me today that one of the reasons Murphy's been reluctant to use the doggy steps might be their narrowness. As it happens, though, I ordered two of them, so... I assembled the second set and set them side-by-side in front of Murphy's table. The top of the steps is a little lower than the lower edge of the tabletop, so I nailed a board across the table legs to keep the steps from skidding in that direction. (I'll have to do something more to keep them from slipping away from the table, maybe involving bungee cords. The skeleton of the steps is plastic, so I can't just nail them in place.)
Just now, I tempted Murphy out into the garage with a treat. He jumped down and took it; then I went back into the house, with the door open, and offered him another. Lo and behold, he actually took the steps! It took him two tries - he wanted to try to jump rather than put his hind legs on the steps, but the positioning of the steps made that impossible - and the second time he came up. He lost his footing at the last moment and needed a little help, but he's taken, ahem, the first step. It should go easier next time.
This is a great relief. With the jumping trouble he's been having, I've felt a little guilty even leaving him to go to work, and I was worried about my trip to SD next winter; but if he can use the steps, that problem goes away. Now to see if he'll stop pooping in the house...
Just now, I tempted Murphy out into the garage with a treat. He jumped down and took it; then I went back into the house, with the door open, and offered him another. Lo and behold, he actually took the steps! It took him two tries - he wanted to try to jump rather than put his hind legs on the steps, but the positioning of the steps made that impossible - and the second time he came up. He lost his footing at the last moment and needed a little help, but he's taken, ahem, the first step. It should go easier next time.
This is a great relief. With the jumping trouble he's been having, I've felt a little guilty even leaving him to go to work, and I was worried about my trip to SD next winter; but if he can use the steps, that problem goes away. Now to see if he'll stop pooping in the house...
