Dogs and stairs

DH and I want a pup in the worst way. We have been researching on what would work best with our lifestyle.

That being said, we think we might have an issue with all the stairs in our house. There are 5 stairs to go up from the LR to the DR, a full flight to get to the upstairs, and 6 steps down to get out to the backyard. All the stairs are hardwood - no runners or anything.

I know that tons of people have stairs in their houses and the only reason I'm thinking that it may be a problem is because when we watched my parents dog a few weekends ago, he didn't go up or down a single step. he had to be carried up and down and then back up and then back down. It kind of took some of the fun out of it. He's not an older dog, either - he's a spry 4 year old Sheltie.

Am I overthinking this or is this actually something to be concerned about when the time is right for us?

Re: Dogs and stairs

Message edited 11/13/2011 1:20:09 PM.

Re: Dogs and stairs

Re: Dogs and stairs

Yeah - I was thinking that it just might have been that he's not used to the stairs - my parents have a ranch and only 3 stairs to go down into the den.

I guess when we have a pup of our own it will "grow up with the stairs" (thanks Kevin) and will hopefully not have to be carried out 10 times a day That was not fun.

Re: Dogs and stairs

It took ours about six weeks of teaching her to go up and down (one at a time at first) and now she beats us up and down...I wouldn't worry about it and whatever dog you have will get used to it.

Re: Dogs and stairs

If you get a puppy he.she will get used to the stairs.

My dog (as a pup) was too afraid of going up and down the hardwood stairs. As a little pup and before the runner, we would carry him. When he got a bit older as a pup, he would try, but he would slip and panic.

So we got a nice runner installed and I taught him how to go up and down. Now they fly up and down the stairs like it is nothing.

An older dog, who is not used to stairs, will not do it. But a pup can be trained (esp with a runner) to go up and down.

Message edited 10/17/2007 11:54:11 PM.

Re: Dogs and stairs

in my parents house they do not have a runner or carpet on the stairs, they are hardwood and our family dog never had issues with the stairs, and when we bring our dogs there, they are fine as well

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I used to have a fat bulldog that went up the steepest stairs ever. I think your pup would be fine after sometime.

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ITA w/ all above

It just takes some getting used to.

Good Luck!!

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My 90-lb Norton has never had to deal with stairs until now. We are taking over our whole house now and our stairs are wood and I am terrified he gonna go flying!!!!
I am purchasing stair treads on ebay to give him (and myself) some traction.

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When we first moved into our apartment, our little Lucky was afraid of the stairs. HE would just sit at the top and watch us go up and down the stairs. He had to be caaried up and down. He just recently started going up and down. He was a little leary at first and now he's like an old pro. I think i am more nervous than he is sometimes

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I wouldn't be concerned. Some dogs aren't used to stairs. My bf lives in an apt with no stairs and once the rottie was introducted to stairs he was fine. In fact he took every opportunity to run up the front steps to his landords place all the time He got to the top, gave me the look what I can do mommy look, and did it all over again

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Re: Dogs and stairs

Message edited 1/30/2009 11:42:54 AM.