Afraid to go down large flight of stairs

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Tucker is great at climbing and going down our front and back porch stairs. He is also good at climbing our flight of stairs to our second floor in our home. But he is scared to go down that same flight. I kind of understand since im sure it looks like a long way down to the little guy. I have learned im not that only one with this problem. I am also a part of a Cocker Spaniel forum and I know a few people with adult Cockers who still don't like going down large flights of stairs but they will climb them!!!

I have tried coaxing him down then with treats or just me being very nice. I have gotten him down three steps and either he will stop or he will turn around and climb back up them. We have tried ignoring him so he would hopefully get the hint and try it himself. But he usually will take one step on his own and then give up and start crying and howling.

Just looking for any kind of tips or advance for trying to get him over his fear of the larger flights of stairs.

Thanks in advance!

 

[brock23]

My friend had this huge Sheepdog that would not go down steps either. When it did it would kind of scoot itself down one stair at a time.

 

[sparks19]

Teddy is the opposite he doesn't like to go UP stairs. Wish I could give some advice but I have no idea how to get a dog over their fear of stairs

 

[Debi]

I think it just takes time for them to get used to the stairs. neither one of my dogs would go down for a while. Hammie still isn't the most graceful dog on stairs! LOL I bet he gets the hang of it in no time.

 

[tessa_s212]

My only advice is to continue trying to lure him with really really yummy treats. If that doesn't work, ignore him. If he wants down bad enough, and if you ignore his whining and crying, he'll eventually find his own way to get down.

BTW, now that you have entered the wonderful world of cockers, I'd like to invite you to a forum!

http://zimfamilycockers.com/Forums/

 

[RD]

If he never encountered stairs in his life, it's normal to be nervous about going down them.

I had a dog who we "lost" when we first got him. We had a 4-story house and it was Buddy's first time being inside without a leash. He was wonderful indoors and seemed very relaxed, so we stopped giving him our complete attention. When it was time for bed, nobody could find him. We looked for hours... turns out the poor guy had climbed all the way to the top story and got so scared by all the stairs that he just sat there and shook. We think he probably was kicked down some stairs before, because he freaked if we touched him near a set of stairs.

Buddy actually adjusted pretty quickly to the stairs. I took a piece of steak and started running up and down the stairs, and let him have a bite of it every time he moved down them. Soon he just started following me carefully, to get his steak. That was all it took, really.

If Tucker has never seen them before, he might just need to slowly get used to how to place his feet so he doesnt tumble down them. If it makes him feel more secure, you could walk him down them with a harness on.

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Oh never mind lol. He just went down the stairs lol!!! I just left him up here for a second while I ran and let Pixie in and when we came back in I heard him coming clomping down the stairs. So I guess problem solved.

 

[orbit86]

if this continues you have to force him down the stairs. I seen this Great Dane who was afraid to go into the house that had glossy floors and the trainer just walked in like he was alpha dog and yes the Great Dane was scared but he overcame it. also if you can pull your dog's tail up if he is scared

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

NEVER force a dog.
This will accomplish nothing but make the dog distrust you and fear the stairs even more.
Orbit, be careful of the advice you give.

~Tucker

 

[orbit86]

nope, I seen it for myself. he didn't force it. he just held the leash as he was walking it but holded it tight (it was a Great Dane). he was scared but overcame it. plus he was a expert. I seen him fix "fix" a aggressive dog who always showed teeth to other dogs. next day the dog was being submissive and didn't cause trouble. he Didn't pull the dog if thats what you mean. the great dane needed something to walk on like a long mat or he wouldnt walk into the house..now thats sad.

sorry if I gave the wrong picture. I didn't mean pull the dog from the bottom of the stairs as if your pulling a rope.