Terrified of stairs

Hi all, Just looking for a little bit of advice! My boy Storm is 1 year and up until now I have done what I thought was in his best interests but boy I may have got it wrong! I was given advice by my vet keep stair climbing to a minimum while young to help thier hips I did this by not over indulging with stair climbing just tackling a few stairs now and again whilst out so that they would not be a big deal when older but not damaging his hips whilst growing. Did not realise until today how terrified he was of them Anyway I went visiting today taking my boy with me thinking we could have fun visiting family. Well my families home is in an old tenement and there were three flights of stairs to climb . The first flight no problem. THEN he started shaking ,whining refusing to move I just never pandered to him and in a jolly voice said let's go and I got to the top PHEW! BUT OMG coming down nooooo way was he doing that I tried the jolly thing, ignoring his cries and believe me in a close it echoed and sounded like a bloody murder! He slipped his halti and lead in blind panic, I tightened it and he managed out again . After loads of attempts I was knackered as he is no lightweight. I re-adjusted the collar and halti too as tight as it would go and just went for it not looking back trying to stay positive he flew down the stairs screaming and not amused at all. It was bloody hard work and all the residents came out to see what the noise was I WAS MORTFIED! He was shaking like a leaf and he is the most calm, laid back dog that re- acts to nothing even sits outside and watches the fireworks. I worked soooo hard when he was young sociallising, and making him a happy ,friendly care free dog and he is but along the lines trying to do the right thing for his hips I have did the wrong thing . Feel very guilty and just wondered if anyone knows how now I can help desensitise him! Do you think I may have made him more fearful by making him come down the stairs? Lifting him was sooo not an option he is way too heavy and I feel it may of fed his fear had i LIFTED HIM or maybe I SHOULD HAVE! After all the upset HE did not remain fearful as soon as down stairs tail was wagging and back to himself I think! I took him too the park and had a rare time . He is now sound asleep peacefully thank god! Any help would be sooooo appreciated thanks!

Catriona xx

[stillalsations2me]

Are you sure it was the stairs that caused the distress?

[Mazz]

So sorry you and your Storm had such a horrible experienced with the stairs.
When Jazmin was a baby, she was not aloud to climb stairs, the same as your baby.
One day she bolted UP the stairs but she was petrified to come DOWN.
O/h had to carry her down, she was only little (7months old) so not too bad.
Maybe if you just let him up and down a few steps at a time.
Not a big flight of stairs, just a few steps at a time, garden steps or things like that, were there a only 3 or 4 steps at a time.
If it's just fear of the steps he'll get there.
As long as it's not pain, which I'm sure it's not.
You and Storm will be fine.
Mazz

[QUOTE=stillalsations2me;219582]Are you sure it was the stairs that caused the distress?[/QUOTE
I am sure it was the stairs he stood at the top well actually crouched down quivering before we even attempted them. I stood chatting to my relatives ignoring him until he relaxed before I attempted it. The only difference with these stairs compared to all other stairs we have tackled without a problem is they are a kind of marble surface don't know if this was the problem. What do you think other than the stairs was his distress? Any help appreciated ! xx

Originally Posted by Mazz

So sorry you and your Storm had such a horrible experienced with the stairs.
When Jazmin was a baby, she was not aloud to climb stairs, the same as your baby.
One day she bolted UP the stairs but she was petrified to come DOWN.
O/h had to carry her down, she was only little (7months old) so not too bad.
Maybe if you just let him up and down a few steps at a time.
Not a big flight of stairs, just a few steps at a time, garden steps or things like that, were there a only 3 or 4 steps at a time.
If it's just fear of the steps he'll get there.
As long as it's not pain, which I'm sure it's not.
You and Storm will be fine.
Mazz

Thanks for your reply! I have been up and down stairs a few at a time all the way until now just not lots of stairs especially three flights. Think too much and the surface was marble or something like that don't know if it was this! I remained calm as he was sooo stressed and did not want to add to it. After this happened we came across one flight of 4 stairs outside which would normally not be a problem and he froze again. I THINK it might take a bit of work now . xx

[Mazz]

Originally Posted by CATRIONAGSDLOVER

Thanks for your reply! I have been up and down stairs a few at a time all the way until now just not lots of stairs especially three flights. Think too much and the surface was marble or something like that don't know if it was this! I remained calm as he was sooo stressed and did not want to add to it. After this happened we came across one flight of 4 stairs outside which would normally not be a problem and he froze again. I THINK it might take a bit of work now . xx

As they say (one step at a time).no pun intended.
I would say it was the feeling under his feet, that he didn't like,(no grip on his paws).
I'm sure he will be fine.
Good luck.
Mazz

Originally Posted by Mazz

As they say (one step at a time).no pun intended.
I would say it was the feeling under his feet, that he didn't like,(no grip on his paws).
I'm sure he will be fine.
Good luck.
Mazz

Thanks hope so! I don't come across a lot of stairs but I will be looking for small ones when out and we will be taking baby steps so to speak armed with liver cake lol xx

[Bonniesmummy]

What about practising on the stairs at home? or is he fine with them?

Storm has the run of the house downstairs with laminated floors.(easy to clean) Barred access to upstairs as it is carpeted (not so easy to clean)and did not want him bounding up and down whilst young to protect his hips. He did attempt coming up them once but going down he was having none of it! He was young and smaller so able to carry him down. He has not had the need to go up and downstairs although has always managed a few when out on walks but the more I think about it it has only ever been a few as much as four stairs and he never walked down them he leapt so if I keep doing a few he will just jump them so that's no good I don't think! Think today has actually set him back with them! I had no option today I was up three flights and needed to get down so just said let's go as happy as I could sound with him being so upset I wanted to just make him feel better! He ran and leapt them like a greyhound howling It was such a shame! xx

[Bonniesmummy]

Originally Posted by CATRIONAGSDLOVER

Storm has the run of the house downstairs with laminated floors.(easy to clean) Barred access to upstairs as it is carpeted (not so easy to clean)and did not want him bounding up and down whilst young to protect his hips. He did attempt coming up them once but going down he was having none of it! He was young and smaller so able to carry him down. He has not had the need to go up and downstairs although has always managed a few when out on walks but the more I think about it it has only ever been a few as much as four stairs and he never walked down them he leapt so if I keep doing a few he will just jump them so that's no good I don't think! Think today has actually set him back with them! I had no option today I was up three flights and needed to get down so just said let's go as happy as I could sound with him being so upset I wanted to just make him feel better! He ran and leapt them like a greyhound howling It was such a shame! xx

Is he still barred access to upstairs? would you mind him up there now that he is a big boy or is this just an area you dont want him in?

I just meant that maybe practising on stairs in his own home may be a good place to start to get him comfortable with larger flights of stairs.