Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Stairs
Random question, but when did your puppies start going down many stairs? Angus can go up the stairs okay at 16 weeks, but is still too wary to go down more than 3 steps. We have some pretty steep steps (carpeted) going up to our bedroom, so we're just wondering when we might expect him to be able to do this...
Any thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christy&Riley on
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It took Riley MONTHS to finally get confident enough to go down the stairs. We didn't encourage her as we didn't want her in our unfinished basement that was under construction. My Dad was so concerned that Riley wouldn't do it but one day she just decided it was her time. Now she waddles down (butt swinging side to side) and races back up. From what I hear, it isn't good to have them do a lot of stairs as puppies anyways as it can affect their joints.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy and Olive (Ollie) on
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I agree with Christy about waiting (easier on their joints) plus you get to enjoy holding him for this!
Rippley finally worked up the confidence for our steeper basement stairs at about 5 months old, but he still is hesitant about doing them at 7 mos.
He also barks when descending the main stairs. I think it is a cry of,"Hey, I don't like this!" :-) -
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Permalink Reply by Laura and Angus on
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Haha those are such cute images!! Angus also barks at us when he's sitting at the top of the stairs - seems like he's saying "HEY! Take me downstairs!" We kept the stairs blocked for a while, but he sneakily goes up there ...well sorta sneakily since he makes a loud "thump thump thump" sound as he goes up. He went down on his own like two weeks ago, but according to my boyfriend he slid down the last two or three stairs and has not really wanted to try again. I would also like to wait until his legs are a little longer before trying to encourage him, but we do practice smaller amounts of stairs on our walks...
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Permalink Reply by Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo on
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He certainly is able, he just needs to be encouraged. With steep, non carpeted, and no backing stairs, they usually are unsure of themselves. You can start with a treat or toy and encourage to come down a few at a time. Then praise, praise and more praise. Never force him down, as this will cause more problems in the future.
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Thanks for the advice! We might try to take him to places where there are more than 3 stairs, but not as many as our stairs at home.
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Permalink Reply by Chris & Abby on
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Abby was going up at about 10 weeks. Down took longer but not much. By 12 weeks she was coming down alone but jumping over the last three steps. That didn't last long. We blocked off the stairs from day one but whenever the gate was accidentally left open, she flew up there to steal slippers or a shoe and bring them down. She was fast!
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Wow! Angus seems to be a little behind in each of his stages (e.g. sleeping through the night and teething), so maybe we'll just start to practice a few more stairs at a time ...
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Hahah nooope. I think it's probably good that they get scared about them at first! That keeps them from plummeting to the bottom, right?? I feel like I vaguely remember this with our family dog, a standard poodle, but that was like 16 years ago and I just can't remember when he finally got up the courage. I kinda feel like they'll just get there when they are ready...and maybe we some small practice and encouragement...
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Permalink Reply by Amy and Annabelle on
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Mine could go up the outside deck stairs at about 12 weeks. She just recently started going up the carpeted stairs from the basement. She won't go down the basement stairs at all. She tried going down the deck stairs one day and did a somersault. She has wanted nothing to do with going down stairs since then.
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He is able to go down at least 5 wooden stairs since he did this to my parents backyard (with a little coaxing). I was also thinking he doesn't want to try again yet because he slipped at the bottom last time...
I think practice is the way to go too!
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This a very common trait....stairs are scarey! My now passed, senior, Golden would not even attempt going up or down open backed stairs! They scared the hell out of him!
I made a point of finding the same type stair with Enzo....she climbs them up and down like a champ now! I'm sure the business who owns them thinks I am out of my mind! -
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Smart to get similar stairs! We're hoping that with some practice (and growing up) he'll just naturally decide he's ready...
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