Image Source:
Pixabay.com
Most dogs master the art of climbing stairs from a very young age
itself. They are very loyal creatures and in order to follow you
up the stairs, they would have had to learn how to navigate those
tricky steps too. But sometimes, dogs arenโt the best at taking
the stairs. One wrong move and danger awaits at the bottom. A
fall from the stairs can really injure your dog, break his bones,
and sometimes even be fatal.In todayโs real estate market, itโs
rather difficult to find a home without stairs. Some dog breeds
have trouble using the stairs when compared to others. These are
older dogs, puppies, and dogs with long spines like Basset,
Corgis, and Dachshunds. Here are a few safety tips that you can
follow in order to better guarantee the safety of your pooch
while heโs on the stairs.
-
Watch him.Although you canโt prevent an
accident by just watching your dog ascend and descend the
stairs, at least you will be there is an accident were to
happen. You will know how your dog fell and be able to point
out how he landed to your vet when heโs inspecting your pet
afterwards.If your dog fell on the stairs while he wasnโt being
supervised, you might not find him right away and the delay can
cause further medical problems. You can also find underlying
medical conditions by watching your dog go up and down the
stairs. For example, if he is limping or hopping up the stairs,
or refusing to put his weight on one foot, he might have an
orthopedic problem. If he seems uncoordinated, he might be
struggling with vertigo.
-
Make it easier for him to see.If you live an
open-spaced home, navigating the stairs during the day may be
easy for your dog. But what about at night. You can remarkably
decrease the chances of a fall by simply improving his field of
vision. Get better lighting in the areas in your home where
there are staircases. Dark stairways can be problematic for all
dogs and not just elderly dogs and dogs with eye problems.
-
Try stair runners.We all know that hardwood
floors make a statement. But when it comes to safety on the
stairs, stick to carpets and runners, where your dog can find
more footing.
-
Try installing ramps.Although itโs not a very
good option for a long stairway, you could try the ramps on the
porch where thereโs only a couple of steps. You might need to
train your dog to navigate the ramps. Try using a harness,
leash, or a sling.
-
Carry your dog.Although this is no practical
option for bigger dogs, if you have a smaller dog, this might
be the safest option.
How To Protect Your Dog From Falling Down The Stairs
In todayโs day and age, finding a house that does not have any
stairs is a rather difficult task. Although most dogs are able to
navigate the stairs from a pretty young age, itโs still good to
be cautious. And taking the stairs can be pretty risky. Injuries
sustained from a fall down the stairs can include sprains,
fractures, bruises, injuries to the head, and sometimes even
death.Animals would want to follow their owners from a very young
age so, through determination and a willingness to master new and
exciting things, they learn to successfully descend and ascend a
staircase. They also tend to be naturally cautious around edges
and that keeps them pretty safe. Although most dogs donโt have
much of a problem taking the stairs, older dogs, basset hounds,
corgis, dachshunds, puppies seem to have a difficult time around
staircases. Follow these steps to keep your pooch safe from
injuries sustained from a fall on the stairs.
-
Supervise him.Monitor
your dog use the stairs. This wonโt necessarily prevent them
from falling, but if you were watching you can always assess
the extent of the injuries before calling the vet. Some dogs
have a harder time getting up the stairs if theyโre suffering
from knee pain, elbow pain, shoulder pain, or back and neck
problems. If you see him limping or hugging the wall in order
to get up the stairway, make an appointment with our vet
immediately.
-
Improve his
visibility.Install better lighting overhead. Better
lighting can help your dog see where heโs going without any
trouble and improve his natural consciousness around edges.
Dark places are especially troublesome for dogs with a poor
eyesight.
-
Install a ramp.While
theyโre impractical if you have a long flight of stairs, ramps
can be helpful when there are just a few steps involved like
the steps between rooms or up your porch. After installing
ramps, your dog may need a little training so he can
successfully navigate around them in the future.
-
Carry him.Some dogs
are simply not able to get up the stairs. Especially smaller
breeds, dogs that have recently undergone surgery or dogs with
medications that have sedative effects. If itโs a safe option
for both the owner and the dog, then there shouldnโt be a
problem.
If you have a big dog who canโt really be carried all the time,
try to avoid the stairs completely. Play with him downstairs
where heโs more comfortable. Make sure that he wonโt need to go
up to get anything. All his favorite things and essential things
should be placed downstairs for the time being that heโs not able
to go up the stairs.