How To Help Your Dogs Overcome Their Fear Of Stairs

You want to teach your dog to get onto surfaces with the help of stairs, but they seem frightened of the idea. Why is this happening, and what can you do about it?

Reasons For Fear Of Stairs

1. Out Of The Ordinary

If your dog did not learn about climbing stairs as a puppy, then they may be naturally wary around them. The elevation of this obstacle can be quite intimidating to them.

2. Medical Problems

Dogs who have medical issues leading to pain, such as arthritis, may be frightened of stairs due to the pain they associate with them.

3. Learned Knowledge

If your dog has been punished for climbing stairs before, or is not allowed on stairs in your home, they may now associate stairs with scoldings!

Overcoming A Fear Of Stairs

1. Counter-Conditioning

This involves using treats or toys to coax your dog close to the object of fear, then rewarding them upon approach. This continues until the dog is no longer afraid.

2. Patience

Don’t rush your dog and give them plenty of praise for baby steps of progress.

3. Desensitization

Once your dog is counter-conditioned to the stairs in general, repeat the process for each individual step of stairs.

How To Help Reduce The Fear

1. Pick Them Up

For dogs with mild fear, pick them up and put them onto the first step of the stairs, then reward them and continue moving up.

2. Clear Clutter

Make sure no items are on the stairs to trip up or startle your dog.

3. Go Up

Put treats on the first step of stairs and encourage your dog to get them, then work your way up.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay