The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [41]
Stares at Stairs
Q My dachshund, Danny, is a very confident fellow. He goes boldly up to larger dogs at the dog park and solicits them to play. He doesn’t blink during thunderstorms and loves to greet visitors to my home. The problem is that I have recently moved to a condominium on the second floor with outside stairs. Danny dashes up the stairs, but when we need to leave, he freezes at the top of the stairs and I have to pick him up and carry him down. What happened to his confidence?
A There are a number of reasons for dogs not wanting to tackle stairs, even enclosed ones. Danny’s reluctance could be due to a medical condition, such as arthritis or hip dysplasia, so have that possibility checked out first. A key clue in this particular situation may be that outdoor stairs are often open, without solid risers between the steps. Danny is no dummy. To him, these stairs give him glimpses of the pavement far below, a vision as inviting as peering over the edge of a cliff.
Many dogs run easily up a flight of stairs but find the prospect of heading back down intimidating because they are less stable going down and more likely to slip or become unbalanced. Some dogs try to avoid stairs at all cost because of memories of a spill. Who wants to repeat that scary scenario?
It’s tempting to give in to those pleading eyes and to offer him some soothing words and carry him down the stairs. But the problem with this is that it unintentionally fosters apprehension in your dog and can cause him to be even more fearful. Forget trying to scold Danny, too. Bullying him to go down the stairs solo without addressing his fear will only generate more behavior problems and weaken your relationship.
Instead, take it literally one step at a time with food rewards. Some of my favorite dog trainers recommend placing a mediocre treat (an ordinary dog biscuit) on the first step and then an irresistible treat (a piece of chicken breast or bacon) on the next step. Without saying a word or giving any nudges, let Danny scope out the situation with his nose and his eyes. Once he is brave enough to touch the stair with his paws, or even conquer one step to get the premium treat, heap on the praise as if he won an Oscar.
You won’t be able to get Danny to be a stair champion, descending swiftly after one training session. Work a few minutes each day to expand his comfort level by placing the best treats on steps farther and farther down. During this transition when you are still toting him down the stairs, try whistling or singing a happy tune while striding confidently down the stairs. Danny may pick up on your cue that the stairs are not so scary after all.
SCAREDY-CAT DOGS
Noise-related phobias rank Number One among all sense-related phobias to our canine chums, according to Dr. Nicholas Dodman, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University. The author of several leading studies on phobias affecting companion animals, he lists several other fears that can escalate to phobias in dogs, including strangers, vacuum cleaners, and slippery floors.
Skidding to a Stop
Q We just replaced the carpet in our home with what we thought would be more pet-friendly flooring of tile and laminate. These smooth surfaces are much easier to keep clean and clear of pet hair, but Kelsey, our golden retriever, took a spill while turning a corner too fast during an indoor game of chasing a tennis ball with our teenage son. Now she is afraid of the footing and walks gingerly around the house. How can we restore Kelsey’s confidence so she doesn’t slink around the house?
A Your floors are pet friendly in that the materials make it easy to clean up puddles or other accidents, but they lack the traction that dogs need to move confidently around the house. Barring any physical injury, the spill probably made Kelsey feel a bit like Bambi on ice with legs splaying in all directions. To help her feel steady on her feet again, I recommend no more indoor chasing