Place a treat at the top of the step to get your pup to approach it. Inner ear issues or ear infections can cause your dog fall down. Something as seemingly minor as slipping off the couch can be more harmful to a puppy or smaller breed than a larger one. Monitor your pet for a couple of days after a fall to look for signs of injury: limping, lethargy, whining, lack of appetite, difficulty standing or lying down, and a halting gait. Now, climbing down the stairs is a little challenging. Otherwise, he may become even more fearful of the stairs. Certain breeds are more susceptible to these growths: Like humans, dogs can develop tumors that are benign or malignant. A dog that is suddenly afraid of the stairs could be affected by a number of things, some of which may require the vet’s attention. Even though they have 4 feet, it only takes a stumble on one foot to make a dog come tumbling down. Look for a ramp with an anti-slip surface so your dog is less likely to fall. If that’s the case, let them maintain the posture that’s most comfortable for them. With Tenor, maker of GIF Keyboard, add popular Puppy Falling Down Stairs animated GIFs to your conversations. Start small, one step at a time. Let your dog set the pace and keep practicing as long as your dog wants to. Don’t try to rush your dog. For example, you could spend some time playing with your dog near the steps or give him his favorite toys whenever he is nearby. Sometimes, an otherwise healthy dog is prone to falls simply because of excitement. When to See a Vet. Puppies take the stairs one at a time. 5 Stair Safety Tips for Dogs Supervise Your Dog. For your dog there is no concept of how high he is. If an underlying health condition is thought to be the cause of the fall, the care provider will also conduct testing to identify it and treat it. Your dog runs to fetch the tennis ball you just threw down the stairs when suddenly, he takes a tumble. 3 Reasons Why Your Large Dog is Afraid of Stairs, 3 Reasons Why Your Dog Keeps Falling Down the Stairs, 3 Reasons Why Your Dog Suddenly Refuses to Come Inside, 3 Reasons Why Your Dog is Suddenly Gassy & Farting Like Crazy Lately. Some dogs are afraid of going up and down stairs. Start at the bottom of the staircase to help give your dog more confidence in tackling the feat. An occasional fall isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, but frequent falls may be a sign of another health problem or some other issue. A dog’s inner ear is responsible for more than just hearing sounds. Stairs Aren’t Puppy-Proof. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At the top, looking down your dog may be afraid of falling. There is also a possibility of a dog having a traumatic experience with the stairs. If you notice your dog stumbling and falling without any apparent reason, it should be taken to your veterinarian as soon as possible. This isn’t a one-time process. Another option is to wrap the dog snugly in bedsheets and carry him to the car. Why your dog refuses stairs. The stairs are a common fear for most young puppies. Two of the most important things you need for teaching your puppy to climb stairs: patience and a confident attitude. The video showed Dexter using his body and the wall to safely guide Ginger down the stairs without falling. You may be wondering what types of fall-related injured dogs can have and if there’s anything you can do to make slips and stumbles less likely. The main two causes of this phobia, though, are trauma and lack of early exposure. If blood saturates the material, wrap more fabric over it, but don’t unwrap the soaked cloth. She suddenly loses balance and stumbles/ falls over to one side when she tries to walk. (Those are the colors dogs can see best). A veterinarian may give your pet medication for pain and address other problems, such as broken bones. If your cat fell down stairs, it also makes sense to think about their grip. Here's what you need to know if your dog has a fear of the stairs. This comes at no extra cost to you. Older dogs are especially susceptible to vestibular disease, which can interfere with the inner ear. First, you need to get your dog comfortable with being near the staircase. Ear problems. This may be a sign of a medical condition that your veterinarian will be able to diagnose and offer treatment options for. Even older puppies may have trouble keeping their feet underneath them when negotiating a flight of stairs. Such experiences can leave a long-lasting negative experience for your dog. You can also block staircases with pet gates, or buy a  pet sling to give your dog better support when navigating the steps. Ataxia usually occurs because of head trauma. Having long nails may sometimes make it difficult for dogs to get a proper grip on stair surfaces, especially those made of laminated wood. Cup your hands around his muzzle in the shape of a funnel. Invest in a good runner and install it securely on your steps. Use kind words and a soft voice, encouraging and rewarding each small step and improvement. Overgrown nails can lead to a host of other issues so we recommend clipping them to the appropriate lengths as soon as possible. The kind dog looked back repeatedly to reassure his companion, and both dogs began to wag their tails once they reached the bottom of the stairwell. You can reward your dog with a treat and plenty of praises every time he takes one additional step. Recording these signs will help your vet understand what health issues your dog has if any. Falling Down The Stairs Tiny baby puppies are just learning how to use their motor facilities, and can be clumsy and awkward at times. Your email address will not be published. Learned Behavior. While dog ramps aren’t practical for long flights of stairs, they might be useful if you … There are three types of ataxia. When I saw what the clever man below did for his dog… Of, if you have a rescue pup, maybe he was even thrown down some stairs… Dogs aren’t always as surefooted as they should be. Smaller dogs can be prone to more extensive injuries because of their size and bone structure. In such cases, it’s possible to get your dog to no longer be scared of the stairs again through positive reinforcement and counter-conditioning. The aforementioned vestibular disease is one of them. Injury, stroke, poisoning, and infections can all cause your dog to lose its balance. In other cases, cells from a tumor elsewhere in the body travel to the brain and form another growth. If your vet has already ruled out any physical problems then it might be a mental obstacle that your dog needs to overcome. Dogs are afraid for taking the stairs for a lot of reasons. He patiently stopped on each step, waiting for Ginger to catch up before moving on to the next step.. I always try to calm my puppy down before she runs down some steps, but just last week she tumbled over our wooden stairs.. Well, if you are dealing with a puppy who has had previous experience with falling down the stairs, it can be difficult to get your puppy to take even a single step down the stairs. Give your puppy a chance to adjust, if they’re uncertain carry them up or down the stairs until they know it’s safe. For example, he may have tumbled or slipped down the stairs when you weren’t around. Likewise, broken or uneven stairs create tripping hazards. Lewis, an adorable bulldog puppy, has begun learning how to tackle the stairs at his home in Surrey, British Columbia. Buy a lightweight ramp for indoor or outdoor stairs. Required fields are marked *. Such experiences can leave a long-lasting negative experience for your dog. If you’re moving a small dog, support the front and back legs as well as you can. As much as possible, avoid shaking or jostling your pooch. For most dogs falling is not a huge deal because they can see that it is only three or four feet down and can move their bodies while in the air to soften the fall. Looking about frantically for no apparent reason. Share the best GIFs now >>> The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Why is your dog falling down the stairs? His musculoskeletal system is still developing, and there can be a fine line between ensuring that he grows strong bones and muscles, and avoiding broken bones and orthopedic problems. Tumors sometimes originate in the brain. Keeping your dog physically fit is important, too. Canines with brain tumors may experience: Since they’re internal, brain tumors usually can’t be detected without a CT scan. Yes, your cat’s grip is going to matter a lot. If your dog has an ear infection, she’ll probably scratch her ears, or you’ll notice that they look swollen or irritated. There is also a possibility of a dog having a traumatic experience with the stairs. You should try to make a note of any other symptoms that may appear from your dog at this time. Dog Lover's Digest is not a medical resource. These medical conditions aren’t always visible so it’s important to do a checkup with the vet first to rule out any medical conditions. Frequent falls can indicate a more serious underlying health problem. You can even highlight each stair tread with neon blue or yellow duct tape. Problems with the inner ear or even an ear infection could interfere with your pet’s balance and coordination. Check how long your dog’s nails are. Just as with humans, some injuries in dogs may not be apparent immediately after a fall. At other times, they trip right over them. Eventually, your dog will forget about how scary the stairs were before. Looking down a flight of stairs can be quite intimidating to a dog – especially a small dog or a puppy. Teaching a dog to use the stairs should be done slowly, and it's best to teach going 'up' independently of going 'down' so as not to overwhelm the pup. This can be done in several steps. Dogs that fall from heights can suffer sprains, broken bones, head trauma, and chest or abdominal injuries. During this time her body sways from side to side when she is actually able to stand. Once that’s done, you need to encourage your dog to use the stairs one step at a time. Going up, it seems, is no problem as … This may make the dog more reluctant to step on the stairs. With Tenor, maker of GIF Keyboard, add popular Dog Falling Down Stairs animated GIFs to your conversations. This, for example, can happen to older dogs that start to develop joint conditions like arthritis. For example, he may suddenly look lethargic or he could be walking with a slight limp. If it’s an inner ear problem, your dog may also have other symptoms, such as. The other two are: Brain tumors are especially likely to develop after age 5, but pups of any age can be affected. Inside, cover slippery surfaces with a runner or carpet. Stairs can be daunting for many dogs, including puppies, dogs with health issues, small dogs, etc. Excessive movement can aggravate injuries and increase your pup’s pain. If someone is going with you to the vet, and your dog doesn’t start breathing again, one of you should continue with these steps until you reach the animal hospital. But it’s important to keep an eye on your dog for a couple of days to be sure the coast is clear. Improve lighting around the stairs. There is a possibility where your dog is suddenly afraid of using the stairs because he is in pain when he uses it. Going up a flight of stairs can seem like an endless obstacle. Please note that patience is key. You may find that your dog prefers a certain position. If your dog falls down the stairs or obtains an injury while he or she is on the stairs, they may come to associate the steps with that negative, painful feeling, and that is what leads to a phobia. If the stairs are especially high or steep, smaller dogs may have a difficult time getting up and down without losing their balance. Simply watching your dog go up and down the stairs won’t prevent an accident, but it will keep them safe from other potential health problems or conditions … Your puppy may be at risk in other ways, including sliding on slick floors, running into walls, falling down stairs and jumping off furniture. Before you get to the hospital, you can try administering canine CPR. This is a fairly common fear or phobia, especially in young dogs who may not have encountered them while they were puppies. Maybe your dog had a bad experience, such as falling down the stairs. your dog is jumping and running around just fine when he is not close to the stairs). Consider stairs as well. If your dog slips and falls down the stairs, any injuries he sustains can be especially serious. An internal or external injury, such as issues with joints, might be … A steep staircase can be too much for them to handle at a young age. It’s usually an accident, but dog owners sometimes teach their pets to be afraid … Has Symptoms Has Symptoms Has Symptoms Has Symptoms My dog has recently had about 3 occurances within the last month ( 2 of which happened in just the last 24 hours). Imagine a scenario where the cat ends up falling down the steps and slides on the hardwood floor leading to additional injuries. Copyright © 2021 My Pet Child | About Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy. When the brain and spinal cord can’t work correctly to coordinate movements, the resulting condition is called ataxia. This is because your puppy could easily slide or trip off and fall.

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