I'm not sure this falls under puppy training, but since we brought Marco home 2 weeks ago, he refuses to go down steps. He'll go up just fine. We're only talking about 3 steps on the back or front porch so it's not like it's a full set of steps. I'm wondering if maybe he had a bad experience at the breeders home or something. I don't remember any other puppy I've had being that afraid of steps. He's not bothered by any noises including vaccuum or lawn mower.
Second thing is when we're playing with him in the house he always wants to crawl under the couch or end tables. I play a little tug with him or toss a toy for him and he always wants to be up against the couch with it or just crawl under the couch or end table even if he doesn't bring the toy with him. I'm wondering if maybe this is the instinct for safety in the den type of thing. I don't think it's a confidence thing. He seems very confident. Sometimes when I or my wife redirects him from chewing on something he'll bark at us like "Stop that, let me chew on it man"
Puppys have poor depth perception so he may think he going to fall and there a little uncoordinated so it's easy for them to loose there footing and crash and burn going down and going down is always harder.
You said it's only 3 steps but I would introduce the steps by sitting on them and encourage him to approach, lure him down to the step below him with tasty treats, Take it slow and throw a big party every step he takes.
Work with him every day the more you work with him on the steps the more comfortable he will get.
That's kind of what I was going to try to do with him but he won't even go near them. I did think about the depth perception because the vet mentioned that it would be poor until, I think she said around 10 weeks or so. I just don't remember past puppies being that afraid. I've always been able to coax them down slowly until they get their confidence with it.
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011
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Quote: Kory Fox
I just don't remember past puppies being that afraid. I've always been able to coax them down slowly until they get their confidence with it.
True, Kory, but I've also seen very young pups sniff the top step, as if they were unsure, and then run and jump off the side of the porch. Every pup and his confidence level are different. You ought to see what Ben does to some of his dogs. LOL
This pup of yours seems to be unique to you in a few ways. I'm betting he'll be a beast by 6 mos.
Then you could start with getting near the top step if hes comfortable with say 3 ft away then slowly work closer and closer to the top step, 2.5' then 2 ' , 1.5' big party when hes at the edge of the first step.
Take it slow slow slow no need to rush plenty of time he's a pup, I guess I should have asked how old is the little guy?
You said he goes up the steps then you could work with him just going up the steps slowly building confidence being on and near the steps.
Pups can't see much until they are 12 wks, often don't recognize the owner if you change clothes or approach from upwind. Lots of the brain is still processing based on scent - a step is a void where there is less scent.
My Pinker was real fearful of steps. I found it annoying. ("What a pussy")
Now I'm thinking that body awareness and caution is how a smart dog stays alive on the farm.
Duane, yes he a little different than what I'm used to. I think it's because all the rotties I've had in the past were from the same breeder, same lines. But he's no longer breeding, so I had to choose from a new breeder this time. I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm just trying to make as few mistakes as possible being new to marker training.
Anne Jones Webboard User Reg: 04-29-2004
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Put the pup up on the first step up from the bottom & sit on the floor at the bottom & encourage him with a very special tasty treat. Once he is comfortable for several days coming down from that step...try 2 steps.
Don't rush the pup. He is very little & that is a long steep way down.
Until he is comfortable I would just pick him up. He's a baby he shouldn't be going up tons of steps or jumping anyway.
Funny thing. Today he just started jumping off the porch all by himself. He still won't go near the steps but he jumps clear off the side with no fear at all.
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Fear of steps and laying under furniture
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