My dog is scared of "hard" floors, how can I help her?

Question

My dog is about 3 years old and we've had her since she was a puppy. From day one, she has been scared of any type of hard floor like tile, hardwood, etc. She always prefers carpeted rooms and this is sometimes a problem because a majority of our house has hard wood floors. She won't even chase her toys into the hard floor areas and i've had to put little rugs in front of her food and water to get her to stand there! My question is basically how do you think I can get her "over" this, so she grows accustomed to them. Any ideas?

Answer 1

My dog had the same problem with just hardwood floors. For him it was because he slipped once and hurt himself. From then on, he was sure that the floor would attack and hurt him.

First, don't ever force your dog to go on the floor if it is a fear issue. Instead create a lot of safe zones (as it sounds like you have already done). Encourage her to go onto the floor at her own free will (put treats at the edge of the floor and slowly put them further and further onto the floor. Always be positive, encouraging, and patient. This may take awhile for her to get used to it. Eventually she'll start expecting treats to come from the scary floor and she'll want to go on it more. Additionally, try only feeding her on the scary floor. Basically, you want to find the things she loves receiving the most and only give them to her on the scary floor so she can start seeing it positively.

PS: The dog whisperer is totally retarded.

Answer 2

You did not state what type dog you have.
I have Chihuahuas and they tend to have small feet and longer nails. They are also usually light weight.
It is often a fear of sliding or falling, and since nature designed the smaller dogs with smaller feet and more retracted nails, there isn't a lot that can be done to prevent the fear.
Think of it like this, you have a pair of dress shoes and you are walking across a dance floor. I am sure all of us have walked across a floor with slick bottom shoes and felt like we were about to take a tumble.
That is the way a small (and some larger) dog feel when they try to walk on hard wood floors.
You are doing the best thing for the dog, as long as the rugs have the rubber bottom and don't slide the dog will walk on them.
I have the small rugs all down my hall and the dogs will hop from one to the other....but they never touch the floor.

Answer 3

I'd be willing to bet her nails are too long. In that case, she would "clack" on the floor, which is probably why she is frightened. If you don't know how, take your dog to a vet/groomer/whatever, and ask them to teach you how to clip her nails as short as possible without hurting her. Then buy a dog nail file, and file them down just a bit more (but not into the quick).

Then, as some one else suggested, lead her around the floor. At first, just a few steps. Gradually increase this. Everytime you do this, when you're done, lavish her with praise & perhaps a little treat.

Soon she should associate the floor with happy times! :-)

Answer 4

To your knowledge, has she ever slipped on a hard floor? It could have happened before you acquired her, during a very important part of her formative learning period.

At 3 years old, that fear is already set. About the best thing you can do for her if you don't want to give up for your hard floors for carpet is to put carpeted runners down throughout your home.

Answer 5

I'm not sure you can. We had the same problem with our aging pomeranians. We put down clear plastic runners to allow them to have a path that runs through the high traffic areas and protect our floors at the same time. These runners come on big rolls. They are used by real estate sellers. They have a slightly sticky bottom side and are surprisingly inexpensive.

Answer 6

Keep her nails trimmed short, maybe it's her nails on the floor that has her spooked. She might also find the floors too slippery, I think they have special booties for dogs to give them traction.

Answer 7

Its possible the pads of her feet are more sensitive, or her toe nails are too long (this makes them loose traction on the floor and makes them uncomfortable). Maybe she sees her reflection and that freaks her out.... most of the time its the lack of traction that scares them a bit....

Answer 8

Put her on a leash and walk her back and forth over the hardwood. Encourage her profusely and give her treats when she walks on it.

Answer 9

Maybe her toenails need clipping. Maybe you are waxing your floors and the wax is irritating to her. Maybe the floors are too slippery and she slips and slides on them.

Answer 10

this my sound a little weird but some dogs are afraid of there nails
clanking againest the floor the sound is weird