My puppy is afraid of climbing up stairs...?

Question

I have a nearly 5 month old Shih Tzu and for whatever reason, she stopped climbing up stairs about 1 month ago. Prior to that, she had no problem going up, she was afraid to go down, but up wasn't an issue. The thing is, she's only afraid to go up our indoor stairs; outside, she has no problem climbing the concrete stairs, just our wooden stairs inside. We try to help her up, but she is as stiff as a bored, almost like she's frightened. We've tried bribing her with treats, encouraging words...nothing! Help, I'm getting a tad worried.

My stairs are wooden and not carpeted. Yes there is a backing to the stairs, and perhaps she has fallen without our knowing but has no injuries as far as we can tell. Remember she has no difficulty going up AND down the outside stairs...

Answer 1

Start with the up since she has gone up stairs before. Carry her to the top step, put her down on it and encourage her to go up. Make a really big deal out of it, lots of praise and treats. That's all. The next day put her on the second from the top. Encourage her up. Make a big deal of it. That's all. Wait another day. Put her on the third step. This time you probably won't have to encourage her. She will run up. Same thing, Make a big deal of it. Then stop. By day four, she will be dragging you to the stairs. Bring her to the fourth step. Let her run up. Keep doing this, one step per day. You won't have to do the whole stair case because she will do it on her own.

It is really important that she WANT to do it. If you do too much in one day and she gets scared, you will have to start all over again. Then do the opposite for going down. Put her on the bottom step, then work your way up one step per day, until she does the whole thing on her own.

Answer 2

Our now fearless Cavalier King Charles Spaniel did this same thing. She was frightened of the stairs. What we did was sit in the middle of the stairs and bribe her with treats that usually she isn't supposed to have (like bacon- in small small pieces basically so she can smell it however doesn't ruin her stomach). Then we would play on the stairs to get her to up and down. Toys also help out when you are bribing her! We threw her favorite toy up and down the middle of the stairs (while we were sitting there with her) and she would start to go on the stairs. Make sure that the stairs have a carpet or something protecting her feet. Sometimes when the dogs don't like the feel of slippery steps. Plus, if you live in the cold climates, her legs could be cold from being outside. Whatever you do though, don't carry your dog up and down the stairs! If you start once, you will always have to do it. Good Luck with the stairs! Just remember to encourage!

Answer 3

Perhaps she hurt herself going up the stairs, something frighten her. I would not force the issue. My friend has a minature poodle that broke its leg twice falling down the stairs. Now they have to take the dog out of town to get a metal plate put in it's hip. Little dogs and stairs can be a problem. Just like little kids. If that is the worse trouble your little poochie has, I would just carry her, until she is older, better than her being afraid or like my friend's dog breaking a leg. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I feel your pain. I had adopted a 4 year old, 80 pound, greyhound who had never seen stairs, and of course I lived on the third floor of an apartment building. After trying to carry him for 2 days I broke down and in tears called the shelter back for help. Their suggestion was to "just make him do the stairs". I laughed and said I've tried but he freezes into an 80 dead weight and won't move... after much back and forth the shelter member told me to act as though the building was on fire and we HAD to get out and the only way to do was to "go for it". So I put the leash on him and went for it. And it worked. Of course he froze initially, but with persistance he finally, slowly started doing the stairs. I kicked myself because it took 5 minutes before he was doing them like a pro. Basically, they just don't know that they can do it... even if they did it before, they're dopey dogs and get stuck in a rut.
Definitely use a leash and if the collar slips, tighten it enough to stay on for now.
Key pointers, don't look at the dog, just keep moving forward, thier instinct is to follow.
Second, don't be mean but be assertive... you have to get out of that building.
Third, don't use treats when she stops, it only encourages the dog to stop (I fell into that trap), just keep going.
Praise her when she gets all the way up/down the stairs. IF you praise when she is hesitating she'll keep at it.
Lastly, it also helps to get a moving start, so don't plop her down at the top/bottom of the stairs, but start walk her a few feet back and use the forward momentum.
Try this a couple times and in no time she be following you up and down the stairs driving you nuts!

Answer 5

one thing you shouldnt push the dog doing something that its doesnt feel like doing anything . if the dog is afraid of going down the high stairs least first time then just leave the dog alone maybe later on the dog will releazin what to do if wanna to go down or up the stairs . some dogs doesnt like to climb something that might make them fallin down and get hurt . so dont tease youre dog with dogs snacks wont help . when the dog get older willl finger out itself and will learn how to use the stairs with out any body help .

Answer 6

Our Shih Tzu does the same thing, when the long hair grows on the foot pads it makes them slippery, without traction the dog is afraid of not maintaining his balance. Have the groomer give him a pedicure so they also do the nails. As the hair grows back this occurs, our dog is 2 years old and still does panic at the steps until the trip to the groomer(which he hates more)

Answer 7

I wouldn't push it and it will happen. Don't carry her up or down the stairs - let her do it on her own. She may have fell once and is afraid - but if you cater to that fear - you will be carrying that dog up and down those stairs for the next umpteen years. If she can do the outside stairs - she can do the indoor ones - she'll want to be with you and will use them when you least expect it.

Answer 8

Well, I have always had Danes, so same problem. I would sit on the stairs and go two at a time. When pup was comfortable with two, go two more, and before you know it you have it made. I had one of my Danes suffered a severe spinal injury with stairs, so please be careful. These stairs were very steep and very long. Luckily, I no longer live there. Be careful pup doesn't FALL. Bribe with treats and lots of patience.

Answer 9

Are there backs to the stairs? I know my sister's dog won't go down the stairs in the basement because he's scared of falling through.

Could she have fallen through the stairs when you weren't around and hurt herself?

Answer 10

awww some dogs are afraid of heights or maybe ur dog have very week back bones, know dat it is a young puppy it could hurt them wen walkin up the stairs. Or maybe fear from fallin down it, dogs have feelingz too i advice u carry the puppy uup the stairs for now until it grows more -HOPE I HELPED :)