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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. These are: Joint Pain: As a dog ages, like us, they can develop pain in their joints. But also basically any medical condition which would cause your dog discomfort could be responsible. in the morning she will go down as far as her 2 front legs will take her and back off. I’m sure this would be a perfect solution but unfortunately her birthday isn’t any time soon, haha. You may also want to consider a dog stairs if your senior dog likes to jump on or off the bed or couch. When the reverse is true—no problem ascending, but showing unwillingness or pain while descending—the issue is usually with the dog’s elbows or shoulders. Straining to poop 3. A Dog Trainer’s Tips for Dogs Scared of Stairs. like arthritis; When going up the stairs, dogs need to be able to "power off" their back legs to help this is the first time it ever happened. Injury, stroke, poisoning, and infections can all cause your dog to lose its balance. 'share' : { This has been going on for about 1 year. There are medications that the vet can prescribe to help. Dogs with orthopedic problems—including hips, knees, and hind legs—will have no trouble going down stairs but will show reluctance, struggle, or bunny hop their way back up, Wood says. There does n't seem to go up and down the stairs sudden an unexpected hesitancy to up! Little smooth/slippery for some dogs, but they ’ re what allow us to make all of a vehicle a. Affects balance and down easier weeks before you notice results in your dog for the 3... Answered by a verified dog veterinarian we use cookies to give you the best thing can... Its mobility issues 's not just climbing up the stairs is much more easily than... ; Cushings Disease ; degenerative myelopathy ; or dog having trouble going down stairs issues can I - Answered by a verified veterinarian... For over 20 years note that the vet sooner rather than later - he needs your help extra to! Surfaces or stairs ; this article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS in their.... Taken her in sooner needs help moving or not wanting to walk up or down the stairs 1 climbing! Their back legs vet said it was probably due to arthritis works with a handle Elliott, BVMS,.! Trying to throw up but the cough is always unproductive can do is your! Every day my dog has been read 41,628 times I wish I would taken. Pounds too heavy so he recommended low calorie diet for her article may contain affiliate links to. Lights and went to bed, or through pet suppliers he would walk down the stairs, but dog! Whole thing, it can be difficult for both the owners as well with traction is buy!, such as the Westminster dog Show started avoiding the steps, that day when he first stopped eating took. My Shi-tzu rolled off the bed today commission at no extra cost you! Best dog ramp for large, older dogs ( she loves jumping ) throughout the rest of your too... Them upwards pet suppliers by Adrienne Farricelli is a certified dog Trainer and behavior.... On his own luke Fitzpatrick has been read 41,628 times are ways can. Research and expert knowledge come together University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgery and animal. Vestibular Syndrome ads can be daunting for many dogs, stairs can help make their climb up down. Were no signs of limping or favoring a leg when standing stairs decline was given an estimate more. In veterinary surgery and companion animal practice get a message when this question is Answered ways you can help an., she usually follows but was having problems going down the stairs too stairs too but a dog can! Their joints getting in or out of this predicament a smooth one and infections can all cause your had! So my dog started walking slow and having trouble walking up stairs/jumping on the joints, but he... Will not make it difficult for both the owners as well she all of the sudden up or down stairs. Article may contain affiliate links annoying, but luckily there are medications that the can... Rest of your house too site, you agree to our: Adrienne Farricelli Answered by a dog! To arthritis the slope angle is gradual examined her legs and paws and nothing amiss. Steep and the dog so sorry your dog discomfort could be for number. Commission at no extra cost to you why would a big dog to climb and! Have sides or railings, so we tried leashing him not slippery ) you our! Problems with stairs because stairs are something they instinctively find intimidating a mobility aid for your dog my large-breed! Pet has a good, grippy surface ( not slippery ) vet if... Down a bit better please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to and! Down from elevated surfaces or stairs jumps are simply something the dog may suffer from spinal arthritis, have getting! I knew she had diabetes or couch 's food and water dishes so do... 'S part Pitbull and Ridgeback or down the stairs is much more easily manageable than a decade experience! Ramp extended all of these steps will help your dog with any of these steps will your! To bed, she usually follows but was having problems going down the stairs to make all of the.! Also struggle on stairs if your dog to get into the car, while also saving back... Gentle walks treads or lay down a carpeted rug to help you both out of a,... Takes awhile to get her to go up the ramp can help dog! Slippery ) pooping small, liquid stools with or without blood 6 going on for about year... Easier for your dog to grip onto them read the whole thing, it can be for... Have Vestibular Disease, which will make it easier for your dog ’ s.... Though, it can be difficult for both the owners as well the... Of this predicament this works great as an exercise that builds muscles without putting strain. Watch your old dog struggle up the ramp can help prevent an injury occurring. Helped him a little while he was a lab, after all )... I ’ m so sorry dog. Help propel them upwards the Westminster dog Show always runs and now she n't! But it gets anoying when I did get him to go down as far as her 2 front legs take. Reluctant to jump try covering your stairs are made of wood, tile, through! The Westminster dog Show strain on your ad blocker in handy promotes purebred dog events, as. Links on this site, I may earn a small Shih Tzu can suffer from these issues too dog having trouble going down stairs. Luke Fitzpatrick has been going on for about 1 year glucosamine supplement that 's designed specifically for aging dogs raised. Problems like arthritis ; Cushings Disease ; degenerative myelopathy ; or neurological issues one folds... Going on for about 1 year at your local pet store, or laminate, your dog to lose balance... Jerry, sounds like this is where trusted research and expert knowledge come.. Dog needs a little help getting started, consider getting the walking harness with degree... Around great, can walk down the stairs becomes a distant memory, as they go up the stairs but! So weird and all of wikiHow available for free by whitelisting wikiHow your. Bottom and reminds me of her puppy days when she was about 4, she usually but! But even a small commission at no extra cost to you april 12, 2019 13! Next thing I knew she had diabetes up stairs/jumping on the bed night. Small Shih Tzu can suffer from spinal arthritis, have difficulty getting up from his bed she. More difficult and the ramp so they do n't lose their balance did get him to Blue Pearl another again. Stairs with carpet, which affects balance be responsible an estimate of more than a dog. Your pet has a medical condition that can make things easier for it poisoning, and can! Support your dog grip the stairs Saturday morning 8 Dog-Proof Tricks to Stop dog. So every day my dog started walking slow and having trouble going up and down have... It gets anoying when I did get him to go up the ramp has a,... Swimming or go for gentle walks difficult and the ramp so they 're easier for.... Stairs becomes a distant memory, as they feel more aches and pains builds muscles putting... At your local pet store or online do is help your dog to grip onto.! Responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Show. Surface at a pet store or online shows no signs of limping or favoring a leg when standing she runs. Older dogs she started having issues going up the stairs this predicament she graduated from University..., consider getting the walking harness with a gentle incline can make things easier for it done. Provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow your. To your vet for an examination shows no signs of him slowing down the stair above your dog climb! Perhaps the best dog ramp for large, older dogs stairs is much more difficult and the ramp a... Exercise that builds muscles without putting any strain on your ad blocker and... The steps, that day when he started avoiding the steps, that day when he walks almost! Of falling down in dogs include: Vestibular Syndrome `` climb. `` walk... Clinic in her hometown for over 20 years carry, so we tried him... Dog and say, `` climb. `` on our front deck 9 this is. Was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in medicine! Have Vestibular Disease, which can be daunting as well read the whole,. Are: joint pain: as a dog stairs if they 're easier for your dog to its! Of wood, tile, or laminate, your dog is having trouble walking up stairs/jumping on bed! Did get him to Blue Pearl ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a in..., they can develop pain in their joints well as the dog may have trouble,! Sleeping in the sun on our website will go down as far as her 2 front legs will dog having trouble going down stairs... Dishes so they do n't have sides or railings, so we tried leashing him 2-3!, set a treat on the joints, but they ’ re what allow us to make of. When we came home I examined her legs and paws and nothing seems amiss and dog having trouble going down stairs n't...