Rottweiler scared of laminate flooring

loosecanon · New member Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

I'm kind of at a loss with what to do with my dog right now, so I thought I'd try this and see others have encountered anything similar with their dogs. I have a 4 year old rottweiler who has always been and still is, full of life. I recently turned his life upside down at home by pulling up the carpet in much of the house and the vinyl flooring in the kitchen and replacing it all with laminate. I've dremeled his nails as short as I can, but he is still scared of walking on the floor. This has been going on for a month now. Sometimes he's scooby doo on the floor because he gets so anxious walking from one spot to another, and tries to run. After meeting with my vet yesterday, and coming to the conclusion that this is a phobia that I hope he will just overcome, I decided that maybe the thing to try would be moving his food/ water bowl around the house to make him get used to the floors. It's worked a bit so far, as he has willingly moved into the kitchen a bit now. Am I going to have to do this up and down the halls to make him overcome his fears?

Thoughts?

lil96 · Super Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 1260

I think this is something that may take time. Do you have any area rugs or runners in the hallway? maybe that would be better for him?

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4265 Location: Texas

Alot of dogs don't like slick surfaces. They have a hard time controling their movements on it and can't keep their footing. I would suggest putting down some rugs orrunners. It woucl be something he'll overcome, but like my dogs, they don't go on the hardwood floor often. They prefer the carpet.
When they do venture there, they do a funny walk, and if they try to go too fast, they start running in place. Its kinda funny to watch, but I can imagine its terrifying to the dogs!

honeybears · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 3627

"Alot of dogs don't like slick surfaces. They have a hard time controling their movements on it and can't keep their footing. I would suggest putting down some rugs orrunners. It woucl be something he'll overcome, but like my dogs, they don't go on the hardwood floor often. They prefer the carpet. "

I agree with this. I have a friend who put in laminate you should have seen their 3 legged golden after they put it in. I felt so sorry for her, but she did learn to walk on it. and they put rugs down so she had a place to go to. But like you said it sounds like your dog is more frightened of it, because he cant walk on it properly

I would keep doing the food thing like you are and again have rugs around so he has a safe place to go. I

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4265 Location: Texas

As far as moving the food thing. I really dont' agree with that. He needs to know he's got once place to eat and thats his personal dinner space. By moving it around, it could confuse him and if you ever got a second dog, it could cause problems during feeding time between the two of them.

I'd suggest putting his food on the other side of the laminate, that way he has to cross it to eat and will eventually learn to walk on it and associate it with good things.

mamabear_34 · Member Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 95

The dog whisperer delt with this subject one time and he just kept the dog on a leash and walked the dog confidently without hesitation onto the floor and around and then back on the floor. My dog Buddy had a problem with this (out of the blue) and I tried the dog whisperers advice and it worked. I walked around with him like that for about 15 min. at a time and did it for a couple of days and it did work!! Good luck and congrats on your new floors!!

Nik · Member Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 258 Location: UK

Hi, what Mamabear said sounds like the best idea in my opinion.

I have laminate flooring right through. I had it before I got Floob so he's never known any difference. I have bought a bigger rug for the front room though (where he plays the most) and when he was a pup I had a runner going from the front room to the kitchen as we'd throw his toys along that route and he'd slide into the kitchen cupboards every time.

I have noticed that his 2 front claws, the 2nd 2 in from the outside, have turned inwards. I beleive this has happened through him trying to get grip. I'll keep an eye on them when he gets older but for now he seems ok with them.

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

So how are the floors holding up to doggy toenails and housetraining accidents? Any problems with the laminate flooring?