They are already using it. Before I fully welded it it I tacked it in place and we put the sliders up to see. One was using it in her first try. the other was hesitant but eventually used it. he has issues with long things (possibly beatin' in his previous life) long things like, brooms, sticks, power cords or sliders.
Its possible your dog didnt like it because those expanded mesh steps on trucks usually have serrations on them facing up. What I am using is the 1/8" thick sheet type.