2006-12-04 04:33:49 · 19 answers · asked by ladybugsmom54601 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had a shih tzu/lhasa apso mix that would not go up the stairs either. My Mom and stepdad got him when he was 8 weeks old and he did not like going up stairs. When my stepdad passed away, I got the dog, who was 6. Every night when it was time for bed, he would stand at the bottom of the stairs and just whine and carry on. He was so afraid to go up them. Over the course of about 8 months, I tried different things to coax him up. I started off with putting a treat on the 3rd step (which he wouldn't go and get himself at first). I'd put him on the first step and then give him the treat. I did this each night, moving him up a step each night, and rewarding his "braveness" with a treat. Then I'd put him 3 steps from the top and he'd finish going up on his own. Each night, we'd move a step further from the top. Eventually, he did the stairs all by himself and of course, I made a big deal out of it, offering tons of praise and treats. Dogs have fears just like we do, so helping him to overcome his fear felt wonderful! However, all dogs are different, so please don't force your dog. Are the stairs carpeted or are they slippery? If they're slippery at all, this may be the problem. Try putting some of those carpet pieces or other such things on them. If they are carpeted, that should help, but you may have to carry him/her up the stairs every time for the rest of his/her life, but that's a small price to pay for their love and devotion. Good luck and I hope he/she is climbing stairs in no time!
2006-12-04 04:40:53 · answer #1 · answered by deelberger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this a new development? (Did he used to go upstairs, but now refuses?) If this is something new, you might want to take him to the vet and see if he is developing back problems. Short-legged dogs can have really achy backs.
If he has NEVER wanted to go up stairs, then it is probably a training issue and super treats are the answer. Try chicken, or better yet, CAT FOOD! What dog can resist the Forbidden Food??
2006-12-04 04:39:00 · answer #2 · answered by wise-woman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have teh same problem with my husky puppy...he's 4 montsh old and i have had him for only 3 weeks..not sure if he had a bad experience with stairs before i got him...maybe you dog had a bad experience ith the stairs...has he been doing this his whole life or you just reacently adopted him? My dog trainer had the same problem with her dog too...wolfxmalemutexhusky...so i thought maybe its a husky thing..but she traine dher dog out of it by putting treats on one step at a time and letting the dog go up, praising it at each step...i have tried this with my puppy and he is now only 3 steps away from gettign to teh top...it will take a while longer for him to get all teh way up...but he's getting up higher now...i cant carry him up the stairs for ever expecially since his already 30punds at 4 months lol.
2006-12-04 04:43:12 · answer #3 · answered by aleks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a leash, have the dog close to you, and walk up and down the stairs, giving praise every time they reach the top. After you've done it a bunch of times try it without the leash.
2006-12-04 04:37:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's funny, I have an eight year old Shih Tzu that has always gone up steps but never down. It's worked for me because she can go out on the porch or the deck and doesn't run off. It''s a pain because whenever she has to go out or goes for a walk we have to carry her down the steps. Oh well, you can't have everything...
2006-12-04 04:44:11 · answer #5 · answered by N0_white_flag 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a really special treat, something he doesn't usually get and lure him up. You may need to enlist a helper to give a gentle push to get him going. Every step he takes upward, treat and praise, praise, praise.
Don't expect any overnight miracles, this will take some patience and training, hounds can have a real stubborn streak!
2006-12-04 04:36:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably not that he's refusing, but it's too difficult on him. Daschunds have a lot of trouble with stairs due to their backs. My suggestion is to start carrying him up.
2006-12-04 04:36:28 · answer #7 · answered by KL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know if this is why but those breeds have bad backs and maybe that bothers there back to walk down the stairs. i have a 2 year old dapple daschund hound
2006-12-04 08:48:45 · answer #8 · answered by juicyfruitishandsome 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, usually it's the other way around!
Our St Bernard used to love to go up--but coming down he looked like a toboggan sliding down--fast!
Sit next to him (her) and go up a step at a time. Treats and encouragement may help.
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2006-12-04 04:37:40 · answer #9 · answered by John H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sit at the top of the stairs and eat some kind of smelly sandwich that you and he both like.
2006-12-04 04:36:32 · answer #10 · answered by Huey from Ohio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋