Stairs

[Jack chi]

We live in a three floor house with the living area on the first floor. Up to 3 months old we carried our cocker spaniel puppy up and down the stairs for playtime and toileting. At 14 weeks he learnt how to go up and down them himself. I have recently read that puppies shouldn’t be allowed to use stairs until 6 months old. Our puppy is now 17 weeks and weighs 8.5 kg so to carry him up and down multiple times a day would be difficult. He is very boisterous and as soon as the door is open he is off down the stairs, the same coming in the front door as soon as his lead is off he is up the stairs. Should we still be carrying him?

 

[JudyN]

I'm just bumping this in the hope someone with more knowledge sees it. However, you can only do what you can do, so if you simply cannot carry him safely, you'll have to let him walk. But walk him up and down on lead, and reward him for walking up and down nice and calmly rather than trying to take several steps at a time.

 

[Jack chi]

I'm just bumping this in the hope someone with more knowledge sees it. However, you can only do what you can do, so if you simply cannot carry him safely, you'll have to let him walk. But walk him up and down on lead, and reward him for walking up and down nice and calmly rather than trying to take several steps at a time.

Hi JudyN, he had his monthly check at the vets and I discussed the problem. They gave the same advice walk him up and down using a lead at a slow pace. At the moment I can still carry him but when he gets too big I will have to use the lead.

 

[Hemlock]

Good idea to start the lead now while he is so young. Gives it time to become a routine before he enters adolescence.