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Still can't get down the stairs

Posted by cook94@optonline.net at 12:49 PM on November 04, 2009

I have an 11 month old Maltese/shih tzu mix. He has no problem going up the stairs but is afraid to come down. He has fallen down them a couple of times when the doorbell rings and he just makes a run for it so that could be why he is cautious. They are wood stairs and maybe they are slippery for him. We live in a split level house and have a lot of stairs. I am home with him all day and he goes up a million times and then cries for me to come get him down. I don't want to gate him in one spot because he has favorite places to hang out all over the house. Will he ever learn or does anybody have any suggestions? I have tried to put treats on each step to coax him down but he is not interested.Appreciate any suggestions.

Laura Cook

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5 Comments

Reply Maria LaRocca

09:42 PM on November 11, 2009

gee June...why is it I have NO PROBLEM beleiving that your little chi is the only one who has mastered the stairs..............lol

Reply June

03:28 PM on November 09, 2009

I HAVE TWO CHUBBY POMERANIANS THAT REFUSE TO GO UP OR DOWN EVEN CARPETED STAIRS...BUT I FIGURE IT IS GOOD EXERCISE...LIKE LIFTING WEIGHTS...ONE UNDER EACH ARM WHEN I TAKE THEM UP THE TWELVE STEPS DAILY TO GO TO BED...OF COURSE MY CLEVER CHI WHO IS HALF THEIR SIZE HAS NO PROBLEM...GO FIGURE..

Reply Louie

11:26 PM on November 06, 2009

Hey there Laura,
Our Maltese had no problem going up and down our stairs that were covered with an ugly runway rug. The stairs were painted an awful burnt orange.
I tore up the carpet and painted the stairs white and left them bare and our Maltese would still run up but could not figure out how to get down, I'm thinking covering them the way Maria says might help.

Reply cook94@optonline.net

11:03 PM on November 04, 2009

Thanks, Maria! I will give it a try. He is spoiled though so I hope he doesn't just expect us to serve him forever! I hope you and all your fur friends are doing well. Thanks again for the gift of our precious Chase. We adore him!

Reply Maria LaRocca

10:38 PM on November 04, 2009

try getting a roll of that skind free material to put in your cabinets....cut pieces big enuf to cover half the step....maybe if he feels secure he wont fear the steps any longer, then when he masters it, take it away!!!