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Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,056
Registered: ‎05-17-2010

MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

After years (?) of a lot of "at home" time and attention, I'm out more or in my art studio...upstairs, not carpeted and she's freaked out not willing to give the stairs a shot. She's a bit heavy to carry upstairs, but she does have a dog bed set up in my studio.

 

I tried the breadcrumb strategy leaving small goodies on each step leading to that room, but she passed it up after first few steps. Beagle not going after treat means really skittish. 

 

She's quite clingy when I'm near her. Any suggestions to get her to try the stairs?

 

 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 644
Registered: ‎09-30-2012

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

Sit on the steps and put a treat on the second step.  Put your hand behind her neck and help her.  One step at a time.  Never had that problem but thought it might work.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 69,397
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

Maybe she needs a doggy companion to keep her company.  That probably wouldn't help with steps but it might make her a happier, less clingy and lonely pup.  If another dog ran up the steps, she might follow.  She may have some arthritis that causes her discomfort on the stairs.  I can relate to that.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Regular Contributor
Posts: 222
Registered: ‎06-10-2015

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

How old is Molly?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,658
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

@Shanus 

 

Try that strategy again, sit one step above, entice with a treat and when they move up a stair to get the treat, you move up a stair with treat in hand, to get them to move up another stair for their treat.....over and over till they learn the routine.

 

Animals learn through repetition, I learned that early on, when I trained to be a dog behaviorist.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
Super Contributor
Posts: 338
Registered: ‎08-18-2010

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

Our greyhound did not like using stairs in our house because the back was open. We put cardboard behind them to train him. Realize this may not be the situation for you, but mentioning it anyway just in case it might apply. As our dog got older, he refused to use the steps and I believe it was due to physical limitations due to aging. Hope someone makes a suggestion that works for you!
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,809
Registered: ‎12-24-2010

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

My Cocker loved to sleep next to my bed but after falling down several times from the 4th bottom step - she just stopped stairs.  Her joints just weren't stable enough for it anymore.  Stairs are carpeted but at 14 it was too much - so she slept in LR at foot of stairs.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,056
Registered: ‎05-17-2010

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

@greenjean1   Molly just turned 8.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,665
Registered: ‎07-18-2013

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

@Shanus are your steps wood or other "slick" surface?   My Doxie wouldn't use our steps after a fall until we installed stair treads so he could get better traction.

If my dog doesn't like you, neither do I.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,187
Registered: ‎07-26-2014

Re: MOLLY NOT THRILLED WITH STAIRS

@Shanus  When I rescued my Chihuahua blend/mix she was 6 yrs old & apparently never seen or been on stairs.  Anywhere near stairs, she would stop cold & do the chi shake. I did not know her back story.  Took me 3 months straight to get her to walk down a flight of stairs.

 

I live in a highrise & walk down.  I got tired of the added weight 8-12 lbs of carrying her down the stairs.  What I did.........

Twice a day, I took her to the stairs.  I went down 2 steps & sat down.  She would get all excited & get the chi shakes.

I held out her favorite treat.  She wasn't having it.

I did this every day.

After about a week, very slowly she stepped down the 2 steps to retrieve her treat.  I praised her highly.

 

Each week I added another 2 steps.

 

After the 2nd week, I realized the trick was to train her near the wall instead of the railing.  If she stood near the railing, she could look down the stairwell which scared her.  If I placed her next to the wall, all she saw was the landing for each floor. 

 

Now she beats me down the stairs & waits for me at the back door.

 

Now taking the elavator back up is anothe story!  Smiley Tongue

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."


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