STAIRS! My dog is gonna commit suicide!!

Kaiyah · 11-06-2004, 09:44 PM

Well, we are all moved to NC and settled in. (been here a week today) our bedroom and one living room are downstairs, the rest of the bedroomas and kitchen and living room and thebathrrom are upstairs. Well, this is our first house with stairs. Kaiyah, is making me nervous withthem!! he runs up and down them so fast that sometimes he slips and falls right on his butt on the stairs or at the top!! yesterday, he was following me upstairs and jumped up and completely cleared the first four, to land right in front of me! No one can walk down or up in front of his or he'll run ya over!! he doesnt seem to mind at all. I am afraid he is going to hurt himself!! anyone have any ideas on how to slow him down??

***Carrie*** · 11-06-2004, 10:08 PM

I wouldn't go for that running up and down where he may cause someone to fall. So, if it were me, I'd put a leash on him and walk up and down the stairs with him behind me. I'd use a command such as "walk." (in kind of a drawn out, very calm voice) I'd repeat that word and go up and down a million times WALKING SLOWLY. When the dog was walking nicely behind me, I'd be sure to shower him with praise...not excitable praise, but sweet talk ("gooooood walk") and a little treat. Don't wait till you get all the way to the top of the stairs to reward him. If he takes 3 or 4 steps nicely, reach behind you with the treat and let him have it while you're still walking and tell him "goood walk." Let him know right away that you like what he's doing.

When he's doing that quite comfortably with the leash and not fighting you, then I'd advance to taking the leash off and trying it that way. Use your command, keep calm and slow, reward quietly. Be prepared to grab hold of his collar if he bolts. You don't want him to see that he can slip past you and get away with it. If you grab his collar, just remind him....."w-a-l-k." And hold him behind you. Do this several times a day for training. Don't just wait till you need to go upstairs for something. Make a point of making this an exercise in training.

Keep a leash by the stairs and don't go up or down with him without having it on him. It's a hassle for a while, but if you stick to it for a week or two, he ought to get the picture. Don't forget to praise. But be calm. He's all excitable, racing up and down, so keep it low key, but make sure he knows you're happy with him and give treats.

That's what comes to my mind or what I'd do. Maybe someone else will have another idea.

***Carrie*** · 11-06-2004, 10:16 PM

Oh, btw....how do you like it there? That's pretty exciting... a new house! Congrats.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-07-2004, 08:22 AM

Ahh, like a kid with a new toy!

I agree with Carrie, once your guy can see that he pleases you more with his walking than racing he should start to slow down and with all the extra walks up and down to help him learn the concept the stairs will no longer be something new and fun.

***Carrie*** · 11-07-2004, 09:39 AM

I forget...what breed and age is Kaiyah? If she's very young, I'd cut back on the million times going up and down the stairs. The large boned dogs you want to be careful of over doing things like that.

And if she scrambles up or down when you're not watching, don't worry about her killing herself. LOL. She's got 4 legs, right? Just like Subaru...when theres a wheel that slips, the other one grips.

gaddylovesdogs · 11-07-2004, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrie

I forget...what breed and age is Kaiyah? If she's very young, I'd cut back on the million times going up and down the stairs. The large boned dogs you want to be careful of over doing things like that.

This member is also from the DF boards, where she is "prettykaiyah". I think both of her dogs are Lab/Akita mixes.

***Carrie*** · 11-07-2004, 12:01 PM

Oh....woops. Duh...it's right there in her signature. LOL. Observant, aren't I. Well, if they're young, she should not go a million times up and down....just maybe 4 times up and down slowly... 2 or 3 times a day.

FurryAngel33 · 11-07-2004, 03:56 PM

[quote=Crossfire Bulldogs]Ahh, like a kid with a new toy!

QUOTE]

LOL
I like that Saying!!

ralphie · 11-08-2004, 05:37 AM

My pup is just starting to climb,you have to really watch them

Kaiyah · 11-08-2004, 06:15 PM

Kai is definatly Lab & Akita, and he is 2 years old. He will not be 3 until June. Thank you all for your advice. i will definatly try all suggestions! He has been driving me crazy!! LOL. BTW, I love it down here, thank you for asking. It is beautiful and the people are wonderful. Although we got lost in charlotte last week and it took us almost 2 hours to find ourselves back home!! And Kai was no help, his sense of direction is as bad as mine!! LOL.

***Carrie*** · 11-08-2004, 06:24 PM

Oh! He's 2 yrs. old already. Well then....I wouldn't worry about his growing bones. His growth plates should be closed by now. So, back to the million times. LOL. Just kidding. You don't want to bore him too much. But practice it so he enjoys learning and so it is worth his while to please you...meaning....(special treats and a party when he does well) Hee hee.

That's neat that you are liking it down there. It's too bad you got lost, but I guess that's how you'll get to finding your way around. It won't take long I bet.

11-06-2004, 09:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kaiyah Lab/Akita X Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Central, New York Posts: 94 Rep Power: 79	STAIRS! My dog is gonna commit suicide!! Well, we are all moved to NC and settled in. (been here a week today) our bedroom and one living room are downstairs, the rest of the bedroomas and kitchen and living room and thebathrrom are upstairs. Well, this is our first house with stairs. Kaiyah, is making me nervous withthem!! he runs up and down them so fast that sometimes he slips and falls right on his butt on the stairs or at the top!! yesterday, he was following me upstairs and jumped up and completely cleared the first four, to land right in front of me! No one can walk down or up in front of his or he'll run ya over!! he doesnt seem to mind at all. I am afraid he is going to hurt himself!! anyone have any ideas on how to slow him down??
	__________________ R.I.P. Kaiyah, 06.13.05 Always loved and never forgotten, We miss you greatly.

11-06-2004, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,436 Rep Power: 287	I wouldn't go for that running up and down where he may cause someone to fall. So, if it were me, I'd put a leash on him and walk up and down the stairs with him behind me. I'd use a command such as "walk." (in kind of a drawn out, very calm voice) I'd repeat that word and go up and down a million times WALKING SLOWLY. When the dog was walking nicely behind me, I'd be sure to shower him with praise...not excitable praise, but sweet talk ("gooooood walk") and a little treat. Don't wait till you get all the way to the top of the stairs to reward him. If he takes 3 or 4 steps nicely, reach behind you with the treat and let him have it while you're still walking and tell him "goood walk." Let him know right away that you like what he's doing. When he's doing that quite comfortably with the leash and not fighting you, then I'd advance to taking the leash off and trying it that way. Use your command, keep calm and slow, reward quietly. Be prepared to grab hold of his collar if he bolts. You don't want him to see that he can slip past you and get away with it. If you grab his collar, just remind him....."w-a-l-k." And hold him behind you. Do this several times a day for training. Don't just wait till you need to go upstairs for something. Make a point of making this an exercise in training. Keep a leash by the stairs and don't go up or down with him without having it on him. It's a hassle for a while, but if you stick to it for a week or two, he ought to get the picture. Don't forget to praise. But be calm. He's all excitable, racing up and down, so keep it low key, but make sure he knows you're happy with him and give treats. That's what comes to my mind or what I'd do. Maybe someone else will have another idea.
	Last edited by Carrie : 11-06-2004 at 10:13 PM.

11-07-2004, 08:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	Ahh, like a kid with a new toy! I agree with Carrie, once your guy can see that he pleases you more with his walking than racing he should start to slow down and with all the extra walks up and down to help him learn the concept the stairs will no longer be something new and fun.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-07-2004, 03:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
FurryAngel33 :] Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,279 Rep Power: 103	[quote=Crossfire Bulldogs]Ahh, like a kid with a new toy! QUOTE] LOL I like that Saying!!
	__________________ aww look at that face!

11-08-2004, 06:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kaiyah Lab/Akita X Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Central, New York Posts: 94 Rep Power: 79	Kai is definatly Lab & Akita, and he is 2 years old. He will not be 3 until June. Thank you all for your advice. i will definatly try all suggestions! He has been driving me crazy!! LOL. BTW, I love it down here, thank you for asking. It is beautiful and the people are wonderful. Although we got lost in charlotte last week and it took us almost 2 hours to find ourselves back home!! And Kai was no help, his sense of direction is as bad as mine!! LOL.
	__________________ R.I.P. Kaiyah, 06.13.05 Always loved and never forgotten, We miss you greatly.

11-06-2004, 10:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,436 Rep Power: 287	Oh, btw....how do you like it there? That's pretty exciting... a new house! Congrats.

11-07-2004, 09:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,436 Rep Power: 287	I forget...what breed and age is Kaiyah? If she's very young, I'd cut back on the million times going up and down the stairs. The large boned dogs you want to be careful of over doing things like that. And if she scrambles up or down when you're not watching, don't worry about her killing herself. LOL. She's got 4 legs, right? Just like Subaru...when theres a wheel that slips, the other one grips.

11-07-2004, 12:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,436 Rep Power: 287	Oh....woops. Duh...it's right there in her signature. LOL. Observant, aren't I. Well, if they're young, she should not go a million times up and down....just maybe 4 times up and down slowly... 2 or 3 times a day.

11-08-2004, 05:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
ralphie valley bulldog Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 125 Rep Power: 78	My pup is just starting to climb,you have to really watch them

11-08-2004, 06:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,436 Rep Power: 287	Oh! He's 2 yrs. old already. Well then....I wouldn't worry about his growing bones. His growth plates should be closed by now. So, back to the million times. LOL. Just kidding. You don't want to bore him too much. But practice it so he enjoys learning and so it is worth his while to please you...meaning....(special treats and a party when he does well) Hee hee. That's neat that you are liking it down there. It's too bad you got lost, but I guess that's how you'll get to finding your way around. It won't take long I bet.

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