Labrador Puppies And Stairs

[apg415]

Hi, how old do labrador puppies need to be before they can start going up and down stairs? Will labradors suffer any long term side effects from going up and down stairs every day? We have a flight of stairs leading from our backyard up to the second level of our house that our dog will have to navigate several times per day.

Any factual advice is appreciated.

Cheers

Andrew

[TerraNik]

I know that stairs and puppies is a bad idea, but I don't know anything specific to labs and at what age they are safely able to negotiate stairs. We have a baby gate at the bottom of our stairs and carry our puppy up and down.

I'm sure someone with specific experience in this area will come along soon...

[je33ie]

We were told to not let Geordie up and down stairs until she's 7 months old. I know with a lab that's impossible... and we had the same problem as you (carrying her up and down the stairs everytime she needed to do a wee, soon wore me out!!).

Solution: we built a ramp! Materials cost about $100 from a big hardware store. Made up of two 2.4m x 0.3m pieces of wood, then we nailed 'grip' pieces across all the way up. We also got some rubber and nailed that on for extra grip.

It took her a few days (and lots of liver treats!) to get her up and down it, but now she loves it. And I'm happy her hips are safe!!

[apg415]

We were told to not let Geordie up and down stairs until she's 7 months old. I know with a lab that's impossible... and we had the same problem as you (carrying her up and down the stairs everytime she needed to do a wee, soon wore me out!!).

Solution: we built a ramp! Materials cost about $100 from a big hardware store. Made up of two 2.4m x 0.3m pieces of wood, then we nailed 'grip' pieces across all the way up. We also got some rubber and nailed that on for extra grip.

It took her a few days (and lots of liver treats!) to get her up and down it, but now she loves it. And I'm happy her hips are safe!!

Wow what an excellent idea je33ie! Our stairs are very similar to yours! Thanks.

[Raven]

I'm new here and just have to say that those ramps are great je33ie.

I was coming in to ask the same question as Andrew asked as we have just

welcomed a Newfoundland puppy.

I'm off to the Hardware to get supplies today.

Cheers

Sharon

[ZEPING]

just out of curosity why is the combo of dogs and stairs bad i have a GSD hat been walking up and down stair rom 8weeks old it was the only way to get to the lawn from the backyard??

[Nekhbet]

its the jolting pressure that the weight of the large breed puppy puts on the growing joints. It can slowly damage growth plates (the growing ends of the long bones)

Large-giant breeds should not also be jumping off furniture, doing agility, jumps, in/out of cars etc until they are 7-12 months old. My DDB was not allowed stairs until he was 12 months at least and even then I had him on lead.

[Miranda]

Stairs are one of the worst things for causing injuries to dogs. We used to have five steps up to our back door but have now replaced them with a ramp because the dogs were running and jumping up and down the steps and two of them injured their shoulders necessitating a visit to a chiropractor. My chiropractor tells me that a lot of the problems he sees in dogs are caused by steps or stairs, although some dogs are always careful a lot become overconfident and run up and down them at top speed and this is when injuries occur.

Puppies, especially if they're a large breed should never be allowed on stairs, the constant pounding and stress on joints and ligaments is an absolute no-no for growing pups.

[je33ie]

I'm new here and just have to say that those ramps are great je33ie.

I was coming in to ask the same question as Andrew asked as we have just

welcomed a Newfoundland puppy.

I'm off to the Hardware to get supplies today.

Cheers

Sharon

Thanks Sharon! How'd the ramp building go?

Geordie's now getting too heavy to lift in and out of the car, so I'm considering building a car ramp too.

It's a bit embarrassing though I remember when I used to see people getting their pups to walk up ramps and I'd think "why doesn't the lazy spoilt dog just jump!?!". That was before I knew of the damage jumping can do... :rolleyes:

[Raven]

Thanks for asking Je33ie in between a sick child, looking after many other animals on our 5 acre property

the ramps are finished, but do you think our Newfy Baby will use them :rolleyes: Nope not a chance!!!!!!!!!!

I wont give up but I can see it will be slow going as our boy is stubbon.

Sharon

[ZEPING]

thanks heaps for the info coz i have a 11wk old GSD and theres stairs i take it i should definatly carry him

another question is can i take him for walks??

and what other exersise can i use to wear him out other than training?

thanks so much everyone!!

(is the damage done is there anything i can do to reverse it?

[Pockets]

thanks heaps for the info coz i have a 11wk old GSD and theres stairs i take it i should definatly carry him

another question is can i take him for walks??

and what other exersise can i use to wear him out other than training?

thanks so much everyone!!

(is the damage done is there anything i can do to reverse it?

Best exercise for a growing GSD puppy is free running, it enables the puppy to go at its own leisure, speed and it can stop and rest if need be....careful not to throw toys etc as the stopping, fallinf and twisting movement can also create problems in a growing pup...

Nice calm free exercise is the way to go

puppies will generally wear them selves out without much exercise and take themselves off and have a rest...

As your puppy grows you can increase the time of free exercise....

A lot of people will not reccomend lead walking for a growing GSD puppy as it can cause stress on the growing joints. because the puppy will naturally be trying to keep up with you and push itself to keep up

Join us in the GSD thread, its a great place to learn and their are lots of knowledgable breeders in there who can help you on your way to a well exercised/socialised happy puppy!

[je33ie]

Thanks for asking Je33ie in between a sick child, looking after many other animals on our 5 acre property

the ramps are finished, but do you think our Newfy Baby will use them Nope not a chance!!!!!!!!!!

I wont give up but I can see it will be slow going as our boy is stubbon.

Sharon

Just keep trying, we persisted for a few days then for some reason she just got it! We left trails of liver treats up and down it, and whenever she got to the top or the bottom, we've give her LOTS of attention and give her a big treat. She's so good with it now, she beats us up or down the stairs every time.

If he's a bit worried about sliding down the ramp (Geordie definitely was) you can buy some of that grippy-rubber stuff and stick strips across the ramp. This will give them more confidence in going down it.

Good luck!