Won't go upstairs

QuitoLindo · #1 05-19-2003, 10:23 AM

Hi everyone, Quito is 2 yrs old and we have never allowed him to go on the second floor of our home. We now have a new baby and are spending much more time upstairs, so we'd like to have him join us up there. But we can't convince him to go up the stairs! Besides carrying his 70lb self up the steps, any suggestions on how to convince him? He's not very food motivated--we tried using treats already!

Thanks!
Wendy.

Tulsa-Dan · #2 05-19-2003, 12:05 PM

Does he have a favorite toy? Use that instead of treats.

I suggesting working with the dog on leash for a while. Giving him happy commands, "upstairs," and then luring him by holding a treat/toy in your hand, and guiding the dog on leash upstairs.

Don't coddle the dog when you are taking him up. Just lure him and keep repeating the command "upstairs."

You can also play fetch up and down stairs if he has a favorite ball or likes fetch. Toss the ball all the way up the stairs and then down (or vice versa) and see if he's go get it and return it.

If you have worked the recall command, as you should have by now, and the dog comes to you when called, then stand in sight of him about 3 to 5 steps up, call him to you ("Come. Upstairs"), and PRAISE AND REWARD when he obeys the recall command.

Turn it into a game if possible so the dog will consider it fun. Right now, he knows he's not allowed, so he is confused. Reassociate it for him, with fun and a NEW COMMAND WORD and he'll come around with practice, patience and lots of praise and reward.

Good luck.

Billysmum · #3 05-19-2003, 01:42 PM

I'm sure there will be people who disagree with me - but why have him upstairs? Bring the baby downstairs - it won't be long (relatively speaking) before the baby is awake more in the daytime and you would want him/her downstairs in the heart of the family.

Neither of my dogs are allowed upstairs and frankly I like the fact that we have a dog hair/slobber free area of the house. Also it keeps them away from the girls toys (humans toys).

I think you should let him continue with the no upstairs rule, and bring the baby down. I can't understand why you're upstairs all the time just because you have a new baby. When my girls were newborn, they were downstairs all the time in the daytime, to reinforce day/night routines. They only went upstairs in the evening and for the night.

QuitoLindo · #4 05-20-2003, 07:41 AM

Thanks Dan,

we've made a little progress...he will go up a few stairs before turning around now when we use really tasty treats to lure him...we'll continue to work on it. I'm just amazed at how frightened he seems -- I guess it will just take a little time. Thanks for the advice!

Wendy.