So...afraid of stairs?

[clightfoot]

OK, so Pepper Potts is pretty much perfect. House trained, leash trained, won't leave my side off leash, plays fetch until she can't breathe.

We have one issue. Our apartment is upstairs and this girl will NOT go up the stairs. She comes down just fine. I've tried treats, leading, pulling her one step at a time and nada.

Any ideas? I can't keep carrying her! (I totally will, but I do have a toddler that has to be helped as well!)

 

[2BullyMama]

Keep trying to lure her on leash with treats.... one step at a time. it is going to take a lot of patience, but if you keep carrying her she will not move till you pick her up. She will get it.... also, fine a treat that she holds very valuable -- cooked meat, apple slice, carrots, frozen green bean... something she LOVES and then only use it for training on the steps. Once she is going up on her own, then the treat can be used for other things

 

[Texas Carol]

Keep trying to lure her on leash with treats.... one step at a time. it is going to take a lot of patience, but if you keep carrying her she will not move till you pick her up. She will get it.... also, fine a treat that she holds very valuable -- cooked meat, apple slice, carrots, frozen green bean... something she LOVES and then only use it for training on the steps. Once she is going up on her own, then the treat can be used for other things

Totally agree w/Christine...bullies are 1000 % FOOD MOTIVATED so use that
to your advantage. Only use that treat for luring her up the stairs, be patient,
kind & persistent, it will happen! Bullies are ocd about the weirdest things so
she's normal for a bully and very well behaved, you lucked out, GF.

 

[clightfoot]

If this is her only OCD thing, I'm the luckiest Bully-mama ever. Ok, so find the 'jackpot' treat (Yes, I'm using My Cat from Hell references for a dog. Don't judge me) and only use that for the stairs. Ok. We can do this. Now the fun of finding that jackpot treat.

 

[Davidh]

The fact that she can see through the stairs is what freaks her out, but as others have said use a treat motivator and hopefully she will get over this.

 

[Pati Robins]

Great advice given I wouldn't try and force her as this might give her more scare and you want her not to be afraid if it

 

[clightfoot]

Thanks everyone for the advice. So far, she ignores peanut butter, YappleNapples and chicken. Its ok, we're working on it. She does love the tennis ball, wonder if that would work? I remembered last night that I have a copy of Cesar's Way, so I'm starting that as well. I figured it might be that she can see through the stairs and this morning she did a little better with me more confident.

Its going to take some time. We got this!

 

[2BullyMama]

Thanks everyone for the advice. So far, she ignores peanut butter, YappleNapples and chicken. Its ok, we're working on it. She does love the tennis ball, wonder if that would work? I remembered last night that I have a copy of Cesar's Way, so I'm starting that as well. I figured it might be that she can see through the stairs and this morning she did a little better with me more confident.

Its going to take some time. We got this!

your mind set definitely plays a role in her confidence..... Can't wait to see the post of her making it up the stairs with no issue .... Good luck

 

[clightfoot]

UPDATE!

This morning, Pepper and I were finished with our walk. I took the kiddo upstairs first, then went back for Pepper. She sat, I looked at her and said "Ok, kid, we're doing this". I just started walking and...after two stumbles, she LEAPED up the stairs. After church, I did it the same way and...AGAIN! I am so proud! I know we're going to get to a point that she's running up on her own. I'm so proud. She got loves and a treat.

My mindset was "We're doing this, Cesar's Way" & she followed. It was almost as good as my daughter's first words!

 

[Manydogs]

Good for you! Quick work,gal! Super-trainer.

 

[Tooleysmom]

Yayyyyy!!!!!!!! Success. So happy for you. Exceptionally high value treats combined with your confidence is the best training tool for phobic behaviours. Had to do the stair thing with Miss Tallulah - careful little soul that she is. Buster is just a machine- no worries. There may be some slip ups in the future - there was with Miss T occasionally on stairs - but just be patient if it happens and start at the beginning. It will resolve quickly. Love happy endings

 

[Jennifer Clark]

LOVED reading the update!! So happy Bullies are so responsive to positive reinforcement and knowing who is boss. I absolutely LOVE your attitude about this as well! So happy you have joined with us!

 

[2BullyMama]

UPDATE!

This morning, Pepper and I were finished with our walk. I took the kiddo upstairs first, then went back for Pepper. She sat, I looked at her and said "Ok, kid, we're doing this". I just started walking and...after two stumbles, she LEAPED up the stairs. After church, I did it the same way and...AGAIN! I am so proud! I know we're going to get to a point that she's running up on her own. I'm so proud. She got loves and a treat.

My mindset was "We're doing this, Cesar's Way" & she followed. It was almost as good as my daughter's first words!

FANTASTIC!!!!