6mo old doesn't do stairs - Page 3

LOL Debi

Be careful what you wish for sometime eh?

I have not read all of the posts regarding this, so if I repeat sorry.
The key is distraction.  Whether you use treats or toys or some other method of distraction, this is what needs to happen.  Personally I do not use treats as they are not as much of a distraction as being animated with some favorite toy for example.  If your pup likes to fetch (which he should as this is a huge tool for future work, training and exploiting drives) than use a ball to coax him up.  Do this in small steps, always be animated with lots of excitement on your part for every step in the right direction.  Take this in small chunks.  Keep starting over and gradually working your way up.  Learn to read him in the process. 

When he shows no fear, praise him.  Ignore his fear, do not respond to it with babying.  If he likes rough play with you, use this in addition.  I cannot tell you how to do this in writing any better than this.  I will put this challenge to you though.  If he were my pup, he would be going up and down those stairs and loving it within a day.  It is up to you to start thinking on his level and see what it is that motivates him and how to encourage him.  This is not rocket science, just a little patients and motivational training.  Good luck.  PS. This is a good time for you to learn to work with your dog and find ways to work through other problems as well. 

 Deb,

Be prepared for severe weather. We are getting a really big storm, sure to produce some tornados out ahead of it into your neck of the wood, and after dumping 2 feet plus snow here, with moisture content of 1 to 2 inches, it will head your way too late into the weekend.

Be prepared. And see, I told you about being sorry you taught the dog the stairs...but the gate is a good idea.

Take care.

have her hips checked.

at 6 months my aussie would do some stairs and not do others, come to find out she has severe HD........

she would didn't have a problem with going up stairs at that age, and she was good with stairs that were not too steep either.

Thanks for the input SitasMom.  We actually had her hips and back X-Rayed about a month ago because she was knuckling under on her hind feet for a few steps when she had been laying around.  Apparently she pinched a nerve in all her rough housing play but she is well past that now.  The stairs are her new playground.  She wants to inspect the basement whenever possible so we had to install a baby gate to deter her.   The vet was very happy with the looks of the hips by the way.  She said they looked really really good and pointed out the neck length and the socket depth.  Of course it's early and who knows what may happen between now and 2 years of age but I am encouraged.  Echo's problem with the stairs apparently was a confidence issue which is rare for her.  She is a pretty gutsy little thing.

Thanks again to all who responded.

Deb

 

 

 

nerves take a very long time to heal, don't puch the steps for at least 2 months. If she decides to walk down them on her own that's ok, but don't encurage her to do something she may not be completely ready for.