A bridge too far?

Lisa

Moderator
Location
Alberta, Canada
Our town has some lovely walking trails that Simba and I enjoy a lot. They all have spots with little bridges. Over the summer they have been replacing the wooden bridges with metal ones. Someone is not impressed.
CF714E98-1CEC-49A1-B0B7-FDD184B8C21A.jpeg
He flatly refused to put a paw on, even with a treat in the offing. We had to go down the rocks and jump over the small rivulet to cross.
So, what to do? I wonder if when the snow falls and covers the bridge he’ll cross and then by the time spring comes and it melts, he’ll have forgotten about it?
It is possible to cross most of the spots without using the bridge (this particular spot is the trickiest), so it’s not crucial that he is able to do it.
Any suggestions?
 
That’s so annoying! Snowie also doesn’t like this kind of surface, but he does walk across, mostly barely letting his paws touch the surface—almost like hopping. If he can jump right over, he does.

Good luck! Hopefully he’ll get used to it over time.
 
Just relooking—the middle part looks okay. Can you guide him over that?

And if he won’t, can you complain and let then know dogs don’t like this surface and can they put down a wooden strip over the metal for the dogs?
 
That doesn’t look dog-friendly at all. Are the metal bridges supposed to be more cost-effective and maintenance-free? It would be worth contacting the council, as perhaps they’re not aware. :(
 

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
I’m pretty sure Kipper would also distrust that.
I’d definitely get in touch with the council to ask for dog friendly measures - wouldn’t be at all suprised if they’ve had comments from others (it doesn’t look great for wheelchairs, buggies or walking frames either?) so it can’t harm to add to the weight and might be an easy win.
Otherwise, how concerned is he? If he’s genuinely scared I wouldn’t try anything and hope the snow makes a difference. But if he’s just a bit ‘meh’ and you have time, you could try a slow progression from e.g. 2 paws on the edge - maybe if you put a tea towel on the edge first, or your jacket? And then do no more, lots of praise etc, move on a different way - and see if you can build to front paws on the bare metal, then back paws, then see how it goes. I guess there’s the noise as much as the look & texture - all a bit overwhelming, poor Simba!
 
That would be a no way for Homer, anyway who needs a bridge when there’s a muddy river underneath! Although I would put in a complaint to the council that the bridges are not friendly to dogs or other wildlife.
 
No way would Monty even consider that. Zero chance. I was thinking of a towel too, the same as @HAH but he'll still feel the texture. WE have some smaller bridges like that, but they often put a blanked over piece to one side for dogs to walk over.
 

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Yeah, not very dog friendly. Though it will be a lot less slippery for humans in the winter with the metal vs wood.

Carbon always astounds me. He'll walk over any kind of grating even though some of that stuff has to hurt his paws. I've learned to steer him around just because it makes ME wince. My other dogs were more like Simba and we had to work to get them used to it.
 
That looks like a big ask for any dog, I'm pretty sure Cassie would be dubious about that and she's pretty bold.

The middle bit might be ok, would it be worth trying some really high value rewards to get him on, like wet cat food?
 

Naya

Moderator
Location
Bristol, UK
I don’t think Harley would go over it either, and I wouldn’t blame her. I would use the other routes and try again when it’s covered in snow.
 

Beanwood

Administrator
Wow! I think Simba is absolutely right to view this bridge with such suspicion. As people have mentioned looks a bit dubious for humans too!


I think the way forward is very much as @HAH suggested which is actually to avoid for now, until his anxiety regarding attempting to walk across a dangerous place ( in his mind..) has diminished.

You then can try neutralising the bridge, by walking past and dropping a treat close by. Rinse and repeat. Next drop a treat just on the edge of the bridge, but , and this important - not a high value one, because if Simba is not sure, then you might be increasing his internal conflict meaning he want the treat but the bridge is still a monster! Then throw a treat AWAY from the bridge and gauge Simba's response. What you are looking for at this point is how did Simba feel when he approached the bridge for a treat? Was he OK? Nervous? Then when you took pressure off by throwing the treat away from the bridge how did he respond? Relieved? Uncertain? Or absolutely fine in a kind of "what's next mum?" sort of way. :smiledog: You can then progress based on how Simba feels. That would be my approach.
 

Boogie

Moderator
Location
Manchester UK
Wise words from @Beanwood

I think if they haven’t done such surfaces as tiny pups it is much harder as an adult.

My Callum (Cavalier) was the same. I used to carry him over - not an option with a Lab!

There are all sorts of open stairs and these kind of surfaces that Tatze won’t even consider going over, yet all my pups have been fine because they practice it from being in the litter.

Good luck 🍀
 
Argh I wish they would put rubber matting down the middle of these things! Chewie is totally fine with these but won't walk up stairs with gaps as he thinks he will fall. Having said that my in laws dog Max freaks out and has to be carried. Thankfully he is 6kg... They are really dog unfriendly and surely also difficult for people with mobility issues- like if you were using a stick?
 
Quinn has zero issues with surfaces, but doesn't like metal stairs/bridges with big gaps like that and walks really slow. I also think not dog friendly because they are really cold on paws in the winter and hot in the summer!
 
Top