I know your right connie, My termnology was I was trying to study her to figure out what kinda dog I was dealing with, i figured that was a way to figure out what way I should handle her training and to work on the areas that she needs first. Im not a real experienced handler or better to say not issues that I'm having now. All my other dogs have been raised from puppys and I havent had these problems. But thats why I'm asking, I can take constructive critisim, and need it. I wont make the mistake of them not being 100% contained again.

 Quote: Debbie Dibble

I wont make the mistake of them not being 100% contained again.

Whew. I wasn't sure you fully realized how close that dog came today to disaster ....

Thanks for being good about criticism. I admire that.

If you feel that the issue with the stairs is the open sides & back & going down into a somewhat darkened basement..... you might try taking the dog up & down fire escape stairs. They will be back & sideless (may or may not have open mesh metal grating steps) but also outside in the sunlite which may eleviate some of the dark- can't- see- what's- in- the- black- area behind- the- steps problem. This may help them be a bit more confident with the open back stairs. Then work up to the basement stairs again. Many dogs have issues with open back stairs. I take my dogs as pups up & down fire steps and any other odd or weird thing that I can find or think of as part of their socialization. So maybe this might help. Just an idea.

Hi Anne, Just wannted to let you know I did take her to a apartment complex today,and worked with her on the steps going to the 2nd and 3rd floors. It took a bit but she finally did it except she ran up them as fast as she could. I was right beside her praising her. Got to the top, I tried to give her a yes,good and a treat,she was to nervous to take the treat. Then we came down the steps she went the same way down them as fast as she could. I practiced one more round with her and it went the same way. After wards she did jump up into the back of the truck which was a first, I'm not sure if she gained alittle more confidence or she just wanted to get the heck out of there. So should I practice that for alittle while and then try my stairs or try my stairs now.

Hi Anne, Just wannted to let you know I did take her to a apartment complex today,and worked with her on the steps going to the 2nd and 3rd floors. It took a bit but she finally did it except she ran up them as fast as she could. I was right beside her praising her. Got to the top, I tried to give her a yes,good and a treat,she was to nervous to take the treat. Then we came down the steps she went the same way down them as fast as she could. I practiced one more round with her and it went the same way. After wards she did jump up into the back of the truck which was a first, I'm not sure if she gained alittle more confidence or she just wanted to get the heck out of there. So should I practice that for alittle while and then try my stairs or try my stairs now.

Debbie,

I would do it a few times over the next few days or week & try to keep her from running up & down. Running is not safe for either of you. Try to have it be a calm experience. Her running up & down is most likely a nervous fear flight responce. Great that she at least did it though. That's a step forward. I would take it slow. Even just hang around the steps for a while & let her look at the steps from all angles so their is no scarey spots. See if she will accept a treat, before even asking her to walk up just 1/2 way up the 1st flight. Let her look & relax at the 1/2 mark before asking her to walk back down. If she will take a treat great. If not,it is not unusual for a stressed dog to not want to take any food. They can shut down when they get stressed. What you did was kind of 'flood' her & you want to make it be a good calm not fearful experience. BREATHE. I would work her there a few times working your way up to the 2nd floor over a period of days or a week or so. Then see if you can find another similar flight of steps & work there a few times. Then gradually re-introduce the basement steps with as much light as you can have on. Is there a way to come up the basement steps without having to go down them..like thru the garage or outside entrance. It might help for her to see thru the backs of the steps from the bottom & check it all out before asking her to go up. If you can & that works, do that for a few days & then have her go up & then turn her around & ask her to do back down. Hope this helps some. Any more questins you can post or pm me if you want. Be patient & take it slow. You want to build her trust in you & confience in herself. Don't put a time line on this. However long it takes, it takes. I will say that when she gets thru this it will make her more wiling to trust you in the next scarey situation. These things build on one another. Good luck. BREATHE.