tips for stairs?

kmm2150

Hello! Our dog, Scout, took a little skid down the stairs a month or two ago and is now afraid to come down the stairs. He wasn't hurt at all, that we could tell - I think it just scared him. We started telling him not to go UPSTAIRS because every time he did, it was an hour long ordeal trying to get him back down again - and also heartbreaking to see him scared and whining - we tried saying his favorite things like "grandma's here!", "let's get your frisbee!" and he wanted to come down so, so bad but was scared.

Anyway, DH works from home and has moved into his office, which is upstairs, and we just feel so sad for Scout that he sits downstairs alone all day when he could be up in the office hanging out with DH, but he's scared to go up.  Any tips on getting him over this? Just slowly work with him, lots of treats? I just don't want to force it because it seems to make him freak out that much more.

joshandpanda

I would start with walking right next to his side, holding onto him and bracing him and have him start walking down like that, and praising him for every stair he goes down. He will learn eventually that they are not a bad thing.

I personally think it was a mistake for getting him to stop going up the stairs, b/c now that set his mind to think stairs are now a bad thing...

Just use continual praise when he does even the smallest achievements.  

kmm2150

I know, I regret it too, but at the time I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and DH had just had knee surgery, so we couldn't carry him down the stairs, and after several episodes of him upstairs whining in fear for an hour, we just felt like we couldn't let him go upstairs again.  I would try to go get him and guide him down and he'd run away from me, tail between his legs, which he's never done before! Broke my heart for him.  We'll just have to keep at it with baby steps, I guess.

Caz1221

Are the stairs carpeted?  If not, I would get some stair pads/runner to help with his traction.  We did this in our old apartment after I noticed T was sliding around a lot when he was going up the stairs (which were hard wood).  We got cheap carpet stair treads and put them down with carpet tape (then just took them back up when we moved).  It really helped.  I would try that and "teach" him stairs again like he is a puppy (start on the second to last step so he only has to go down one step, etc.).

joshandpanda

yes it will take a while for him to conquer his fear, and you just have to take everything in stride. It will take a while, but once he starts to get better at it, it will become more and more easier... best of luck!

sandollar1010

I think you might have to almost "teach" him again like a puppy.  Just put treats on each stair, lots of praise, and go up, but only start with the bottom 2 or 3, then go back down.  Keep repeating until he can do a little more and a little more.  My pup is only a year... and it took her FOREVER to go down the stairs (she also had a fall).  By the time she was 40 lbs, carrying her got old.  You may have to push him a little the first time or two.  Just a few stairs up and gentle tug on the collar - he can't hurt himself and shouldn't be too frightened.  Good luck!