Why are my dogs too lazy to go up and down the stairs by themselves?

Question

They sit on either side of the stairs and whimper constantly for someone to take them up or down, my chihuaha i carry more often as he was desexed and he had internal testes and he has fallen down them before, but my other dog is just too lazy, what can i do?

They both know how to they're just lazy, i own very stubborn dogs, the other is a maltese terrier.

Answer 1

Hey, my daughter is the same, she always prefers to be carried unless I insist on her walking (she's eight!). You've taught your dogs that if they whine for long enough, someone will pick them up. They can unlearn it too, by you ignoring them! They will very soon get the message and if they see you disappear without taking them with you, they will very quickly follow you (if they're like most dogs). If it's a really bad case you could use treats, but that shouldn't be necessary. Just harden your heart to the whimpering and imagine them as Great Danes ;-)

Answer 2

If the chihuahua fell down the stairs then it sounds like he is frightened by them now, not lazy. Both are small dogs and maybe the stairs are just kinda scary to them. Train them slowly. One dog at a time (without the other dog distracting them) put them on the 3rd step up and coax them down, (hold a treat out in front of them to entice them) when they go down one step praise them, when they get down all three give the treat and a ton of praise. Repeat it from the 3rd step a few times for each dog until the come down them comfortably. If they do it easily then put them on the 4th step up, and remember to praise them for each step they come down.. and a treat at the bottom! Continue this until they are able to do it from the top step. If they are not handling it well, (needing a lot of coaxing) then end on an good note (when they have successfully made it down 3 or 4 steps) and start again later in the day or the next day. Don't rush it and always end on a success! Also the treat should be tiny, just enough for them to gobble down quickly. You don't want them to have to take a great deal of time chewing. Good luck.

Answer 3

You can try encouraging them by standing at the top of the stairs and calling them, with lots of praise every time they manage a step. Do the same thing in reverse and they'll eventually believe they're thrilling you every time they do it.

If they just stare at you no matter how much you call them, walk away and try again later. The main thing is, you cannot give in and carry them up the stairs.. that is, unless you want to confirm to them that this is their house and you are their servant. So far they've been right ;-)

Answer 4

sorry to say but doesn't sound like they are lazy but VERY smart dogs. They sound like they have trained you instead of tehm training them.
My sister owns a 2.3pound chi and he is just fine going up and down steps.
It's time for TUFF love and make them go up the stairs. Either just leave them until they decide to come up or put a leash on them and make them go up on their own little legs. ( great excercise for these little dogs)
Good Luck

Answer 5

They've trained you, now you have to retrain THEM and not the other way around - let them whine u8ntil they get the idea you're not doing their lift any more, they'll get the message.
Incentivise it, put their food and snacks on the opposite side of the stairs they are on.

Answer 6

Try showing them how to go up and down the stairs. Don't carry them. If they won't do it, then they can't go up or down. My dog was afraid to go up the stairs and I moved his feet to go up and he eventually got it by himself.

Answer 7

put a leash on them and lead them down the stairs. don't ever give in. the only way they get to come downstairs is when they do it by themselves. they might throw tantrums but don't give in.

Answer 8

Stop carrying them. Small dogs have legs too.