scardie doodle

[Lorraine Bromley]

Last night I took Neely for a walk. I thought I would take him to the kids play equipment to learn the slide and go through the tunnels ect. The equipment is made out of metal and the stairs are open, as well as the railings on the higher areas. He did not want to go up the steps. I had to get behind him and coax him up. then we went down the slide. I went up next time and he followed very reluctantly. He went down the slide but that was that no more going up those steps.
He has no problem with steps or climbing on stuff at home.
Then today we went to see my gramma at the nursing home and he visited everybody and was so good. Then we went to my mothers apartment that has a back porch up three levels . The steps were his downfall again. My son carried him up the first set. I tryed to take him up a level to see the neighbour who can't come down but nope brakes went on again. I figured it out that it wasn't the steps but the fact that the stairs being open he can see beneath himself and he gets afraid. I went up with him kinda behind him and guiding him and hugging him too. I tryed to teach him it was ok and to feel safe but he is going to need alot more of that . Going down those stairs was no problem he did it just like any other stairs. He just isn't used to open stair cases.

[Lorraine Bromley]

he was better tonight.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I noticed with Hannah on open staircases she is more leary of them going up than down, I think its because going up...the backs being open on the steps is eye level to them, where as going down...they are not seeing that...I try to keep treats with me so when we are out if someting comes up that they are not as use to such as stairs or elevators I can focus their attention on the treat for the task they will do.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Ohhhh I totally see now! Yes those stairs are scary, I dont even like them lol.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Sorry I didn't describe it well. He does stairs all the time and has no problem witrh heights or anything. It is only these stairs that are open rung type. so you can see past the steps through where the kick plate part is. Something like a ladder. My mothers stairs are like that so I do not want to carry him that is why I did make him do it as supportively as I could. I think we will do them more regularily so he gets used to them. I just thought it was a little quirk we've come across with him.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Oh I missed that he normally has issues going up stairs. All stairs? Like is carpeted any better? I wouldnt carry him ,that will make him think he has to be carried to get to the top . How about on a leash? Dragging him up while someone is pushing from behind? He should be able to get used to the feel for sure.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I was thinking it would be a fun excercise thing he might like. Something like dogs doing obstacle courses. I really can't carry a doodle up the stairs at my mothers house forever so I figured I better try and make him feel as comfortable doing it. Maybe I can make a new trick blind folded open stair walking!!
He does all the other steps and slopes and diving and swimming excitedly. He doesn't mind standing at the top of the stairs looking down. He doesn't mind going down these stairs either. Just up isn't good.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

And why did you take him to play on the kids playground equipment? And why does he need to know this? LOL. Here the playgrounds have "No Dogs" signs. Of course nobody pays much attention because if you are walking your dog with the kids and they want to stop and play you are sitting there with your dog.

My senior dog stopped going up the stairs when we moved into this house with the slippery laminate. He is going blind and he got to the top and couldnt get back down so he never attempted these stairs again, but he doesnt need to be upstairs so we didnt push the issue.