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Harley and the Steps.



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 21st 08, 07:07 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Nessa[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 322
Default Harley and the Steps.

Hi.
Harley is a sweetie. I'm so glad I got him.

the problem: I live in a townhouse that has sadly some very steep
steps up and down two levels. in order to get to the backyard from
the house you have to use the steps...

they are hardwood.

I have been walking him around to the backyard so he can play off
leash with Hannah... then I have to walk him back.

so we figured he would learn to do the steps... so far NO.

so last night I put carpet stair treads on the steps.... it seems to
have helped.

whereas before he would go up one maybe two steps when I would leave
him in the basement, today I found him crying halfway up the steps
totally stuck and confused.... he got back down the steps and I took
him around.

question: should we work on teaching him the steps and if so HOW or
should we just let him figure it out himself.

he does the wide porch steps (only 2 wide wooden steps then 2 single
concrete steps) in the front of the house after the first day but he
was not taught steps when we got him.

Best Wishes,

Nessa
----
Dog Mom to:
Hannah age 6.5 Pitador rescued age 9 weeks
Harley age 10 months Landseer Newfoundland
(Angel) Bagel went to Rainbow Bridge 9/18/08 my Newfandstuff age 8.5
  #2  
Old October 21st 08, 07:13 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
diddy[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,108
Default Harley and the Steps.

Nessa spoke these words of wisdom in
:
so last night I put carpet stair treads on the steps.... it seems to
have helped.

I would have suggested that

or
should we just let him figure it out himself.


Yep
  #3  
Old October 21st 08, 07:19 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Rocky[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,421
Default Harley and the Steps.

Nessa said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

whereas before he would go up one maybe two steps when I
would leave him in the basement, today I found him crying
halfway up the steps totally stuck and confused.... he
got back down the steps and I took him around.

question: should we work on teaching him the steps and if
so HOW or should we just let him figure it out himself.


Work on just going *down* steps, which he appears to be mostly
comfortable with. Since you have another way up, don't use the
stairs for *up* for a while.

The backyard steps - are they open-backed (no risers)?

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
  #4  
Old October 21st 08, 07:27 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Nessa[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 322
Default Harley and the Steps.

On 21 Oct 2008 18:19:15 GMT, Rocky wrote:

Nessa said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

whereas before he would go up one maybe two steps when I
would leave him in the basement, today I found him crying
halfway up the steps totally stuck and confused.... he
got back down the steps and I took him around.

question: should we work on teaching him the steps and if
so HOW or should we just let him figure it out himself.


Work on just going *down* steps, which he appears to be mostly
comfortable with. Since you have another way up, don't use the
stairs for *up* for a while.

The backyard steps - are they open-backed (no risers)?


Matt,

He wont' go near the TOPS of the basement steps... just the bottom

these are steps IN THE HOUSE solid hardwood walled on one side and
half the other side.


Best Wishes,

Nessa
----
Dog Mom to:
Hannah age 6.5 Pitador rescued age 9 weeks
Harley age 10 months Landseer Newfoundland
(Angel) Bagel went to Rainbow Bridge 9/18/08 my Newfandstuff age 8.5
  #5  
Old October 23rd 08, 02:04 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Nessa
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 317
Default Harley and the Steps.

On Oct 21, 2:27*pm, Nessa wrote:
On 21 Oct 2008 18:19:15 GMT, Rocky wrote:





Nessa said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:


whereas before he would go up one maybe two steps when I
would leave him in the basement, today I found him crying
halfway up the steps totally stuck and confused.... * he
got back down the steps and I took him around.


question: * should we work on teaching him the steps and if
so HOW *or should we just let him figure it out himself.


Work on just going *down* steps, which he appears to be mostly
comfortable with. *Since you have another way up, don't use the
stairs for *up* for a while.


The backyard steps - are they open-backed (no risers)?


Matt,

He wont' go near the TOPS of the basement steps... just the bottom

these are steps IN THE HOUSE solid hardwood walled on one side *and
half the other side.

Best Wishes,

Nessa
----
Dog Mom to:
Hannah *age 6.5 Pitador rescued age 9 weeks
Harley age 10 months *Landseer Newfoundland
(Angel) Bagel *went to Rainbow Bridge 9/18/08 my Newfandstuff age 8.5- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


More info


This morning I THOUGHT we were going to do it...

we had a rough night. he is so skittish.

He does the steps in front of the house but i realized now he does
those in ONE LEAP (sort of like a doggy superman)

this morning he cried at the bottom of the basement steps. he gets
his front paws on the first step and he's ok
he then gets them to the second step and he's fine
he then gets them TO THE THIRD STEP and he's fine but that's because
his REAR LEGS are still ON THE FLOOR....

I've been rewarding him for coming near the steps... then for legs on
first step, then for legs on second step....

I think now we are at the I GOTTA TEACH HIM how to do steps... he
tries he wants to.. he's TERRIFIED. this poor dog... I have NO CLUE
what his life was before the rescue but i know he was never shown the
inside of a house or any steps at all in his entire life (and Sunday
is his 11 month birthday)

  #6  
Old October 23rd 08, 05:44 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Paul E. Schoen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,654
Default Harley and the Steps.


"Nessa" wrote in message
...
On Oct 21, 2:27 pm, Nessa wrote:
On 21 Oct 2008 18:19:15 GMT, Rocky wrote:





Nessa said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:


whereas before he would go up one maybe two steps when I
would leave him in the basement, today I found him crying
halfway up the steps totally stuck and confused.... he
got back down the steps and I took him around.


question: should we work on teaching him the steps and if
so HOW or should we just let him figure it out himself.


Work on just going *down* steps, which he appears to be mostly
comfortable with. Since you have another way up, don't use the
stairs for *up* for a while.


The backyard steps - are they open-backed (no risers)?


Matt,

He wont' go near the TOPS of the basement steps... just the bottom

these are steps IN THE HOUSE solid hardwood walled on one side and
half the other side.

Best Wishes,

Nessa
----
Dog Mom to:
Hannah age 6.5 Pitador rescued age 9 weeks
Harley age 10 months Landseer Newfoundland
(Angel) Bagel went to Rainbow Bridge 9/18/08 my Newfandstuff age 8.5-
Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


More info


This morning I THOUGHT we were going to do it...

we had a rough night. he is so skittish.

He does the steps in front of the house but i realized now he does
those in ONE LEAP (sort of like a doggy superman)

this morning he cried at the bottom of the basement steps. he gets
his front paws on the first step and he's ok
he then gets them to the second step and he's fine
he then gets them TO THE THIRD STEP and he's fine but that's because
his REAR LEGS are still ON THE FLOOR....

I've been rewarding him for coming near the steps... then for legs on
first step, then for legs on second step....

I think now we are at the I GOTTA TEACH HIM how to do steps... he
tries he wants to.. he's TERRIFIED. this poor dog... I have NO CLUE
what his life was before the rescue but i know he was never shown the
inside of a house or any steps at all in his entire life (and Sunday
is his 11 month birthday)

================================================== ===============

I knew someone with a male Dachshund that had difficulty with steps,
because he would catch his sheath on the edge as he went up, and it was
probably painful. Of course, a Dachshund is built differently than a Newf,
but it is possible that this is happening, or it has happened in the past
and the dog associates climbing steps with this experience. Possibly
wrapping the rear of the dog might help prevent this.

Good luck,

Paul and Muttley


  #7  
Old October 23rd 08, 06:13 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Nessa
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 317
Default Harley and the Steps.

On Oct 23, 12:44*pm, "Paul E. Schoen" wrote:
"Nessa" wrote in message

...
On Oct 21, 2:27 pm, Nessa wrote:





On 21 Oct 2008 18:19:15 GMT, Rocky wrote:


Nessa said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:


whereas before he would go up one maybe two steps when I
would leave him in the basement, today I found him crying
halfway up the steps totally stuck and confused.... he
got back down the steps and I took him around.


question: should we work on teaching him the steps and if
so HOW or should we just let him figure it out himself.


Work on just going *down* steps, which he appears to be mostly
comfortable with. Since you have another way up, don't use the
stairs for *up* for a while.


The backyard steps - are they open-backed (no risers)?


Matt,


He wont' go near the TOPS of the basement steps... just the bottom


these are steps IN THE HOUSE solid hardwood walled on one side and
half the other side.


Best Wishes,


Nessa
----
Dog Mom to:
Hannah age 6.5 Pitador rescued age 9 weeks
Harley age 10 months Landseer Newfoundland
(Angel) Bagel went to Rainbow Bridge 9/18/08 my Newfandstuff age 8.5-
Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


More info

This morning I THOUGHT we were going to do it...

we had a rough night. *he is so skittish.

He does the steps in front of the house but i realized now he does
those in ONE LEAP *(sort of like a doggy superman)

this morning he cried at the bottom of the basement steps. *he gets
his front paws on the first step and he's ok
he then gets them to the second step and he's fine
he then gets them TO THE THIRD STEP and he's fine but that's because
his REAR LEGS are still ON THE FLOOR....

I've been rewarding him for coming near the steps... then for legs on
first step, then for legs on second step....

I think now we are at the I GOTTA TEACH HIM how to do steps... he
tries he wants to.. he's TERRIFIED. *this poor dog... I have NO CLUE
what his life was before the rescue but i know he was never shown the
inside of a house or any steps at all in his entire life (and Sunday
is his 11 month birthday)

================================================== ===============

I knew someone with a male Dachshund that had difficulty with steps,
because he would catch his sheath on the edge as he went up, and it was
probably painful. Of course, a Dachshund is built differently than a Newf,
but it is possible that this is happening, or it has happened in the past
and the dog associates climbing steps with this experience. Possibly
wrapping the rear of the dog might help prevent this.

Good luck,

Paul and Muttley- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


well since i stated these things in the initial post:

1. he was never taught steps before we got him
AND
2. he goes up and down the steps in front of the house without a
problem

and then I stated that he has his FRONT PAWS on the THIRD step and his
REAR paws on the GROUND

I seriously doubt that catching ANYTHING on the edge is an issue.

I mean we are talking a full bred landseer here.

their legs tend to be longer than regular newfs. in fact males tend to
be 28 ½ -31 ½ inches tall.
while black, bronze or grey newfs tend to be Dogs 27-29 inches tall.

did you know in some parts of Europe Landseers are considered a
separete breed from Newfoundlands?


i'm thinking a pushme-pullyou kind of thing... where someone is in
front with a non-slack lead (not tight but not loose)
and someone behind him lifts ONE leg at a time and we SHOW him that
these steps are safe?

so not sure what it is about these steps other than how steep they are
that throws him....

he keeps trying however... but he CRIES and it's pitiful...
  #8  
Old October 23rd 08, 06:21 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
shelly
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,155
Default Harley and the Steps.


"Nessa" wrote in message
...

he keeps trying however... but he CRIES and it's pitiful...


How are you responding to his crying?

Harriet was afraid of my mom's stairs. It's an old house, and the
staris are narrow, steep, and uncarpeted. Harriet got left downstairs
while we went upstairs. She was free to stay downstairs or figure out
how to come join us. No babying, treating, or coddling. I was careful
not to make any sort of big deal out of it whatsoever, other than asking
her, "Are you coming?" Then, I went up the stairs and ignored her.
About ten minutes later, a *very* wiggly and pleased-with-herself
Harriet appeared at my mom's bedroom door.

So, I'd be matter of fact about it. The dog would get abandoned
downstairs until he figured out how to join us at the top of the stairs.
Assuming he's become at all bonded to you, I'd trust him to figure it
out.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

  #9  
Old October 23rd 08, 06:29 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Nessa
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 317
Default Harley and the Steps.

On Oct 23, 1:21*pm, "Shelly" wrote:
"Nessa" wrote in message

...

he keeps trying however... but he CRIES and it's pitiful...


How are you responding to his crying?

Harriet was afraid of my mom's stairs. *It's an old house, and the
staris are narrow, steep, and uncarpeted. *Harriet got left downstairs
while we went upstairs. *She was free to stay downstairs or figure out
how to come join us. *No babying, treating, or coddling. *I was careful
not to make any sort of big deal out of it whatsoever, other than asking
her, "Are you coming?" *Then, I went up the stairs and ignored her.
About ten minutes later, a *very* wiggly and pleased-with-herself
Harriet appeared at my mom's bedroom door.

So, I'd be matter of fact about it. *The dog would get abandoned
downstairs until he figured out how to join us at the top of the stairs.
Assuming he's become at all bonded to you, I'd trust him to figure it
out.

--
Shellyhttp://www.cat-sidh.net(the Mother Ship)http://esther.cat-sidh.net(Letters to Esther)


Shelly,

this was SO what I was hoping.

I tend to be matter of fact and tell him what a good boy he is when
he's by the steps and/or on the steps and tell him "you can do it,
come-on" but i don't sit there encouraging him. I let him try for
30 minutes this morning before I had to bring him around so I could
get ready for work.

This is a dog that is afraid of shadows at this point...
  #10  
Old October 23rd 08, 06:32 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Janet Boss
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,368
Default Harley and the Steps.

In article
,
Nessa wrote:


i'm thinking a pushme-pullyou kind of thing... where someone is in
front with a non-slack lead (not tight but not loose)
and someone behind him lifts ONE leg at a time and we SHOW him that
these steps are safe?

so not sure what it is about these steps other than how steep they are
that throws him....


Some dogs take to one direction faster than the other. Have you tried
down these stairs? I have to chuckle about scraping parts. Yeah -
him and the pony too!

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
 




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