I purchased my yellow labrador from the pound about 2 weeks ago. For some reason, he is scared to go up or down the steps. He refuses and gets alot of anxiety when we near them. I am assuming he was thrown down them or hurt by them in the past. Do you have any ideas on how to rid him of the fear?
2006-11-14 05:18:42 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Dogs that were isolated as puppies often cannot cope with new situations and react with fear or aggression. To help your dog go up and down the steps, take him up only one step at a time (maybe 2 or 3 steps a day). At each step, stop with him, praise him, and give him a treat; then go the next step up, stop with him, praise him... Keep repeating this exercise with him a little bit each day until he's comfortable enough to tackle the stairs by himself.
Don't drag him up or down the stairs, or scold him for not wanting to be on the staircase. Such actions only reinforce his fear; he'll continue to associate the stairs with being dragged, yelled at and "punished", and you don't want that to happen.
One step at a time; be patient and be supportive to him. He'll eventually be able to manage his fear and trust your lead.
2006-11-14 05:26:47 · answer #1 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would work up to this slowly using treat rewards for the time he does approach them better for you. Patience is going to be the key here and this may take time. We had a rescue this summer who feared any door in general. Took him a few weeks of coaxing him in and out the doors with a treat before he finally overcame his fear.
One thing you want to make sure NOT to do is to console your dog for the anxiety of the stairs. By consoling, you are reinforcing the behavior, not really making him any more at ease. So this is really important not to do.
2006-11-14 05:23:13 · answer #2 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
One step at a time..I crack myself up! It is going to take some work, but you need to help him get over his fear. Start by placing a toy, or a treat one the first step.
When he reaches for it praise him, and give him another treat. Slowly start to bring the treat/toy higher up the steps.
Remember, this will take some of work, so take it nice and slow. Also, don't ever force your dog to walk up the steps, until he is ready, you should carry him.
2006-11-14 05:23:39 · answer #3 · answered by Blargablonkabam 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The style of puppy humans are looking to say is the ones with steady temperaments. Those that not anything stages. No snappy puppy, no yippy puppy, no afraid puppy. There are puppies like that round. Watch puppies after they meet every different and choose the serene ones to socialise her with to start with. My Shepherd is an overly steady nerved puppy. Very positive in each and every trouble. Look for the ones puppies whilst you are out. Nothing ruffles their feathers, they take the whole lot in stride. If a puppy wishes to begin a battle with mine. He simply ignores them. Tells them in a gentle low growl not to be so ridiculous and amazingly they do give up. He additionally does not have got to be best puppy within the crowd. He does not care who's. He would possibly keep that function for all I understand. He additionally avoids a nippy puppy staying simply out in their succeed in. But allowing them to understand that is not applicable habits with that gentle, low, quick growl. Wish I knew what he says, I coulda used that on my children!
2016-09-01 12:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by pax 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed him on the steps, as in making that place his dinning area.
Always praise him when he is on the steps.
Gradually move the food bowl closer to the steps everyday until he gets over his fear. Then you will have him eating his food on the steps.
Good luck!!!
2006-11-14 05:30:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
encourage him in a soothing voice, if you have a loud or intimidating voice it will only scare him more. Once he goes up or down praise him and give him a treat. It will take time, but he should get over it with some positive reinforcement. Good luck :)
2006-11-14 05:23:07 · answer #6 · answered by Kel 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
umm just slowly bring him close to the stiars and then let him do the rest. I had the same problem i had to carry mey dog up and down the stairs, then when she got to big to carry i would sit on the stairs and just slowly talkto her o get her use to the idea of its ok to go on the stairs. now she runs up and down the stairs like its nothin
2006-11-14 05:24:12 · answer #7 · answered by craziestchick_666 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Find some small steps - one or two only. Show him it's ok with them, then work up to longer ones.
2006-11-14 05:23:24 · answer #8 · answered by matters 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
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2006-11-14 05:57:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋