Maxx and the new floor

[Lab_adore]

We have put new flooring upstairs in our lounge, dining and hallway. It is beautiful and we couldn't be happier

But

Maxx. Hates. It. To be more specific he is scared of it. He has always had a problem with surfaces and even sometimes won't go down the last 4 steps of our inside, carpeted stairs due to the shadows (we presume). The old cypress pine was much more shiny and slippery so we can't understand it. It is a hard floating hybrid floor.

So now about 20 times per day Maxx cries and one of us has to stop work to go and walk with him wherever he wants to go. He will walk on it most of the time if one of us walks next to him with a hand on his shoulder. He also gains confidence if we put his collar on and even more with the lead too.

We don't mind, he is the dog that he is and we adore him. His nails are short and blunt but sometimes he panics half way across and slips around which adds to the problem. I thought it would last a week or two but it's been weeks now and no improvement

The kitchen and laundry has tiles (all good) and he is happy on the big mat in the lounge so it's not all scary

This morning we were having a dance and a play with him and he happily capered around on the floor without issue so we really don't know what to think

It's the same floor in every room but the different lighting makes the colour change dramatically

 

[Loraseal]

That's a tough one. I guess the trick is gaining his confidence to cross the room. Is it all rooms? Is it possible to get a runner mat in one room to help? Can you entice him with treats to cross to make it a game? I am sure others here will have better tips. We just bought a huge rug to help Hunter grip better. Bloody rug is slippier than my floor so we are taking it back up! Poor Maxx though he has such a delicate soul. X

 

[Jacqui-S]

Lilly really struggles with "laminate" flooring. She can manage original wood floors and tile much better.
I think it is the slippiness combined with the "flatness" or lack of texture. She isn't good with new surfaces and surface changes either. One holiday several years ago the whole downstairs was laminate and she hated it, didn't want to come in out the garden.
We have some washable runners on our floors now, not that she uses her common sense and lies on them......... And when we go on holiday we take rugs and lots of vetbed pieces to try and help if no carpeting.

Poor Maxx.
Your house and floors are beautiful though.

 

[Selina27]

Well I must say it all looks very beautiful xx

It's a bit of a poser isn't it? Poor boy. I can only think along the lines of @Loraseal above.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

The floors look lovely but oooooh, that sounds like tough going with Maxx. Even with all the patience in the world, it must be utterly baffling as to why he’s afraid of the new surfaces.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

An idea to go along with Jacqui’s comment above: I recently bought what was meant to be a foldable travel yoga mat, really inexpensive. It stinks as a yoga mat (too thin) but it would be fabulous as a runner with its gummy texture. I wonder if something like would work as (hopefully) a transition?

 

[HAH]

Right, so in my mind - number 1 priority is: make the new flooring area a safe place for Maxx. Not only because he’s obviously quite upset by this and you want him to feel better, but you don’t want this to have other unintended consequences that could make Maxx nervous in other situations. Plus it’s his home, and he needs as much security as possible. And slipping isn’t great for dogs, especially bigger dogs. So I’d be putting down rugs and runners, non-slip backings (really important) and making sure he can move freely and confidently between rooms. Be generous and thorough. This might take a little while for Maxx to get comfy with so take it easy with him, if there’s a surface he’s already comfy with focus on staying round there and playing confidence building games - and avoid luring him onto the new areas, as he’s probably got quite conflicting feelings already about it. Let him go at his own pace.
I know you’ve just got your new floor and probably want to just enjoy it, but think of this as working for the long term - as Maxx gets more confident you can start reviewing arrangements, but for now he needs to feel safe.

 

[Loraseal]

We have just taken up the rug and Hunter already is happier. I think we upset his happy and safe space. Very much as to what @HAH said about his safe place. Luckily we did not throw out the old runners. I didn't realise how this change would upset him so much.

 

[Cath]

Sorry can't find the full programme. I will see if I can and get back to you Robyn

 

[Cath]

Found this Robyn

 

[kateincornwall]

Oh I feel for you and Maxx too . Years ago, we went on holiday for my 70th birthday , arriving at a beautiful cottage with tiled floors , poor Sam was terrified as his feet were slipping . The following day we went out and bought a couple of cheap woven mats , game changer bless him and worth every penny xx

 

[Kelsey]

I’m sorry Maxx hasn’t taken to the new floors just yet, but hopefully sooner than later he will The floors do look beautiful

 

[Lab_adore]

Thank you everyone. We have some rubber mats that we use when he really doesn't want to cross but they are old so we don't want to leave them permanently in case they mark the new floor (new floor anxiety haha).
His old anxiety about the side deck where he goes potty was briefly reawakened but that seems to be ok again already. We'll get there

 

[M.F.]

Lovely floors!

Do you think it’s the slippery surface, or could there be something else? Perhaps the smell? I’m very sensitive to smell and can’t stand certain perfumes my mother applies on herself liberally! Also, I can’t wear a piece of clothing if it smells slightly of having not dried properly (smells like wet dog!).

If it is the slipperiness, and you don’t want to cover the floors, does Maxx mind wearing baby’s booties with non-slip treads (not sure what you call those little rubber dots).

Our stairs are quite slippery, so we put down pieces of rubber that go under carpets. We found a lovely colour that blends in well with our floors. They’re only on the first 3 steps and the two at the top. Game changer for Snowie. He used to hesitate going up.

Best of luck. xxx

 

[trilabs]

Poor Maxx, hope he gets used to it soon!