For his whole life, Wager has been afraid of elevators. I can't say if it was the movement, or just going in a small, enclosed space. On many occasions, I have used treats to desensitize/countercondition his feelings. At least he didn't get worse, but he didn't make much progress.
Yesterday, I checked into another La Quinta for another agility trial. Our room is on the second floor. No problem, I like taking the stairs. I thought I'd take some time during the weekend to use DS/CC on Wager and the elevator. Then I saw the HUGE problem with the stairs: they are covered with de-icing salt. Not a little sprinkle of de-icer, there's a cake-frosting layer of the toxic-to-dogs crap. I will not let my dogs walk in it. It's poison if they lick it off their paws, and it's painful if they have any small cuts on their pads.
OK, Plan B: carry Wager onto the elevator so we can get settled in the room, train later. Yesterday I carried him in the elevator three or four times, and each time I could feel that he was less afraid. I started putting him on the ground when the elevator stopped on our floor, so he walked off it on his own.
Then today, I noticed that he approached the elevator with confidence. Heck, it was worth a try, so I casually walked on the elevator without picking Wager up. WHOOHOO! He casually walked on the elevator with Cozy and Jackson. He braced himself when it moved, but he didn't panic. And the next time he was faced with the elevator, he walked right on again!
I'm hopeful that this will be the first of many elevators we'll ride. I'm very proud of Wager's new confidence and trust!
