Your puppy just moved in with you. You live in a house with stairs, which of course can be a hurdle for the newcomer.
So how do you manage your Puppies at the stair climbing or Climb stairs to accustom?
In the following guide we will tell you the answer as well as other interesting facts.
When are puppies allowed to walk up stairs?
Puppies can, can and even have to from the age of 4 months start learning to climb stairs. Because: The earlier this education takes place, the better for the little fur nose.
At what age should puppies not climb stairs?
Conversely, this also means that climbing stairs not learned before reaching the age of 4 months should be.
After all, they are too lowest levels for a handful of dogs a huge challenge. And this is very exhausting both physically and mentally for the mini fur nose.
Good to know:
Another reason to wait with this learning process is the Bones and joints of the puppy. These are still long not fully developed.
These are resilient only from the age of 1.5 years (depending on the dog breed). Up to this point, your puppy should only walk and climb stairs under supervision.
Dogs have the ability to move their nostrils independently. So they can smell right and left at the same time. This has the advantage that they can follow several tracks at the same time.
What are the physical development phases of puppies like?
Now we’ve already told you that puppies’ bones, muscles and joints need some time to really get fit, build muscle and be able to withstand all sorts of adventures.
But how exactly does it work? physical development of a puppy actually?
a puppy starts at about 3 weeksto become “active” for the first time. He explores his surroundings on still unsteady paws.
Generally, the little mouse should from the 2nd month of lifeso from week 8to dealing with environmental influences become accustomed to.
This also counts first small obstacles – no stairs! – as well as soil conditions. The range of motion is slowly increased here. More than total 10 minutes exposure time are not recommended here.
Because the joints, muscles and bones only begin from the 3rd month of lifeto slowly get used to this increased range of motion and the associated stress.
That means you will more resilient. But at the same time they are still too susceptible to too much stress malformations and deformations.
First from the 4th month this situation begins to stabilize. And for a good reason. Because your puppy now has them so-called «young dog phase» reached. This is characterized by an exuberant temperament and a lot of nonsense.
Romp, play and burn out stand for your puppy so to speak on the agenda.
Which of course can also lead to a certain overestimation of the little fur nose.
Is Walking Stairs Really Dangerous For Puppies?
Generally is stair climbing for puppies (under supervision) not dangerous.
But of course it can there is always a mishap. Especially when the steps are not secured on both sides.
Or then, when the little fur nose running up and down the stairs a little too excited.
It is important here that in such a case you react quickly. So keep an eye on your puppy and observe if he is in pain or having trouble walking has.
To be on the safe side, you can take him to the vet immediately – Because it’s better to worry too much than too little.
Dangerous can also be used for puppies, if several levels are skipped while running down whether it is out of fear or excitement, it doesn’t matter.
Here can be such a fall negatively on the elbow joints affect the little fur nose.
Good to know:
In fact, climbing stairs encourages that condition of the small dog! Because it’s sports. And this has the positive side effect that Muscles and joints strengthened become.
Studies have now found that the frequently feared hip problems occur significantly lessthan previously assumed.
In addition, it was found that the hocks of dogs by climbing and walking stairs particularly well challenged and encouraged become.
In addition your dog loses its fear of obstacles. And that is also important for his later life.
Please keep in mind that you Under no circumstances should you raise your voice out of fear or pick up the puppy suddenly.
Because these Reactions startle the dog and mean once again that accidents and trauma can occur more quickly.
How can I teach my puppy to climb stairs?
Before we tell you how you can teach your puppy to climb stairs, a little tip first. Please make sure that the steps are not smooth.
If necessary, cover them with a non-slip pad to prevent accidents and injuries.
It is best to train in a group of three
Especially at the beginning of the training it makes sense if you a helping hand call in, which the little mouse is familiar with.
Because walking up the stairs is not the physical aspect is the biggest hurdle, but the psychological one. In short: the stairs and the steps make the little dog Fear.
But does he have two people around him who take away his fears and talk him down and give him such a convey a sense of securitythis first obstacle when climbing stairs can be mastered quickly.
Working with treats
There is hardly a furry nose that at treat don’t immediately poke your nose in the air expectantly.
So working with treats while walking up stairs is another way to teach the puppy how to do this.
Again, you should to work in a team. «Human 2» takes the treat and moves backwards up the stairs.
You, in turn, pick up the little furry mouse and places them on a step below, in close proximity to the treat.
«Human 2» lures the puppy now with good persuasion to the next level and so on – until he reaches the top of the stairs.
The same principle then also applies to climbing stairs in the opposite direction. Finally, going down stairs must also be practiced, because in many cases it is even more frightening for the puppy than going up them.
Important!
Please make sure that the little mouse not skipping a few steps out of fearbecause she wants to save herself on the safe floor at the bottom of the stairs.
When will my puppy be able to overcome larger obstacles?
Depending on self-confidence and self-assessment, dare some puppies will probably also be able to overcome larger obstacleswhen it’s absolute nonsense.
Here you come You then come into play as an educator. As we have already mentioned, climbing stairs – a manageable obstacle in terms of height – should be done in baby steps from the 4th month of life.
Is the puppy safe here – and that also takes time – you can slowly introduce him to slightly higher obstacles. In general, however, this should only be the case when your fur nose is fully grown.
Because until bones, muscles and joints are really resilient, all exaggerated jumping and climbing actions do more damage in the worst case than that they are useful.
car & trunk
Let’s take the example here trunk in the car. This is now a little higher than easily accessible for puppies.
Experts advise here the puppy before the 8th month of life not to let it jump into the trunk or into the car.
The bones, muscles and joints are viz still not sufficiently resilient. It makes more sense and is healthier for the little dog either to lift inor him climb into the car via a ramp to permit.
dog sport
Would you like to do dog sports with your puppy? Then you should come with me agility – if this is the right sport for your fur nose – wait until the little rascal at least reached the 11th month of life has.
Because here the obstacles are usually a lot higher than stairs or trunks of cars.
In addition, they are skipped, so they require a bit of a run-up. Not to mention the Landing on the other side of the obstacle. This means one stress on the ankles.
If these are not yet fully developed, a premature training serious in the long term joint problems.
Conclusion
Walking and climbing stairs is definitely an exciting thing for puppies. She is just beginning but also a frightening obstacle due to the novelty factor.
Even more important that the puppy introduced and used to climbing stairs at an early stage.
In order for this to succeed without accidents – both physically and mentally – a stair training necessary, which should be tackled with time and patience.
It should also only be started when the puppy at least 4 months old is. It is only at this point that the bones, muscles and joints are strong enough to face this physical challenge.
Please note that larger obstacles only after further months should be part of the training program.
At the latest, when the little rascal has grown up, stairs, hurdles and the like should no longer be a problem.
If your puppy has just moved in with you, we hope these tips have been of some help to you.
If you already live with a slightly larger puppy, we would of course be happy if you share your common obstacle experiences with us in the comments!
frequently asked Questions
Why shouldn’t puppies walk up stairs?
One reason puppies shouldn’t walk up stairs is because of their joints. Many breeders warn against this since they joint and hip problems fear.
Another reason is age. If the puppy is still very young, it will Walking up stairs is harmful to health. And scare him too much too.
How can a staircase be made dog-proof?
First, the stairs railing have. This should be so tight that the dog does not fit between the bars.
Because here, too, there is a risk of accidents if the puppy falls to the ground from a great height. In addition, as already mentioned, the steps should non-slip be made.
What Happens When a Puppy Runs Stairs?
In and of itself, nothing at all happens when a puppy runs up stairs. Because in the end it is – properly learned – nothing more than a canine activity.
However, depending on the age and breed of the dog, walking up stairs can be difficult mean a lot of effort for the dog. And have a corresponding effect on breathing and joints.