11 month old male neutered dog is afraid of stairs

[moropus]

In October, we moved from a one story house to a 2 story house with a basement and walk up finished attic. Its on a hill, too, and we have to go up one flight of outside stairs to even get in the house. Our dog hadn't ever been on stairs before except 3 steps to get into the old house. He's terrified of stairs

Comments

[bumblebeez]

Aw, Meatball! It sounds like he is very loved and that you and your DH are very thoughtful with him.

You said he's been successful at 3 steps in a row or so.... what about going up one step of the stairs, then turn around and going back down.. then maybe play, or roll a golfball for him. Then try 2 steps, then turn around and go back down.

He probably learns verbal cues pretty quickly too, so at the bottom of the steps you can say "come on up!" or "up the stairs!" or anything you choose.

If you try in small increments, it might create positive experiments in short, tolerable doses until he learns that they're not so scary afterall!

Please keep us posted :)

[crysania4]

The first poster has some good ideas. Another thought...you said he's not into treats, but what are you offering him? Would he perhaps be more interested in pieces of chicken or beef or steak or something that's seriously yummy? Sometimes it requires seriously high value treats to overcome a dog's fear.

Like my dog, Dahlia. She won't go in the bathroom. Won't even set foot in it. I'm worried that if we ever HAVE to give her a bath it will be seriously traumatic. I tried offering her treats (freeze-dried chicken liver, chicken chips), but no go. She would stand outside and stare at me. But when I came home with some pot roast from a dinner and brought a few treats into the bathroom she rushed right in to get them.

So maybe try something even better?

[kittrel]

I'm not a trainer, but I might have an idea. You mentioned a landing - is there a spot halfway up the stairs you could feed him? For my dog, food/mealtime is a powerful motivator and putting food near the object that causes distress, and later halfway through it, might help. I'd feed him at the top or bottom of the stairs so he has to have them in view while eating, which is normally a pleasant experience. Maybe then move the dish onto the first stair, so he has to eat off that stair. Gradually move up to the landing. If we're moving the bowl one step every couple days he has to be approaching the stairs in a slower, calmer manner I think. It would take a lot of repetition, but it might help!

BTW, Meatball sounds like a cool dog. :3

[moropus]

Thanks, he is a cool dog. He's laid back and most dogs his age are still spazzing.

We haven't tried people food for a treat yet, but maybe we should. All we've tried is random bags of stuff from the pet store. He does like real bones, not fake ones.

I'm sure he'll get over this eventually. We did put a long rope on him last night and tug and called him up. He won't pull on his collar too much and he got up here eventually. Now if there was food on every step...