Won't walk up stairs!!!!

[Keira25]

I don't even know what topic to put this under; if it should be somewhere else, please let me know. I am at my wit's end, as is my husband. My 3 year-old female newf has always had a "thing" about stairs. She stopped going up and down the cellar stairs at about 6 mos. old, and despite every suggestion anyone ever made, never went up or down again. She would go up and down the cement stairs from the cellar leading to the outide of the house, but stopped this in the past week or so. We never worried too much because we live in a ranch, and there is only 3 steps leading from the deck to the lawn. Well, starting this week, she began having issues with those stairs as well. The problem is, there's no other way into the house. Yesterday we were trying to get to our daughters' track meet, and finally had to resort to both of us lifting her up and putting her on the deck. She weighs 165 pounds and fought us tooth and nail. We had to do it again last night and this morning. As I type this, she is outside barking because she wants to come onto the deck and into the house, but won't try the stairs. I plan on waiting her out to see what she does. The problem is, I can't have her doing this (barking)at 6 o'clock in the morning or my neighbors will have a fit, and I can't do it at 10 o'clock at night for the same reason. She is so strong, we can't force her to go up. Treats don't make a difference. I could have a steak on the deck and she wouldn't come up. She has no problem jumping over logs in the woods, so I don't think there's anything physically wrong with her. I should add that now if we walk outside, she runs away from us, and has stopped trying to get up the stairs. Any suggestions???? We are very frustated with the situation, which I know is not helping.

 

[Murphy]

I can easily understand how you are frustrated. I don't have any suggestions other than maybe building a ramp of some sort ??? I'm betting the pros will have much better suggestions. Good luck with your girl.

 

[Ginny]

She may well be having a physical problem with elbows or hips and you're not aware of it. Newfs are very stoic. The first thing I'd do is get her to the vet for a physical and xrays. A ramp may be your best bet.

 

[Keira25]

We tried a homemade ramp, and she won't go near it. I tried to force her up the stairs which worked once, then went back down to try it again to keep her confidence up and it backfired. She's worse than ever and is now distrustful of me.

There's a ramp in a store near us that is 18" wide and 70" long. I don't think she'll go up it, but I'd try anything right about now. I will call the vet tomorrow. This is killing me....

 

[angie j]

Personaly for the short term I'd go with a ramp too.

Better safe than sorry. For whatever reason She's decided it's a 'no go'; Better to end your frustration now and then you'll have the time to look into other options: x-rays, training, visual problem.

Angie J

 

[Sherrie]

We had that with our landseer. She hated to go up/down any stairs but especially open ones (sometimes found outside at motels). We were actively showing her and had no choice but to force her to use them. It made for interesting trips at 3-4 in the morning for weeks. She would refuse to go up and then charge to go down. The trips down really woke you up lol. She is finally out of it. She still is not overly fond of stairs but will act like a lady going up and down. I guess if there is no physical problem then I would just keep doing it.Good Luck and might want a parachute for the down trips.

 

[Keira25]

I ended up buying the ramp, and she wants no part of that, but at least it's easier for us to force her up. I can't leave her out in 6 degree weather, which is what it is here in CT. What I'm going to do is take her to my sister's, who also has deck stairs. She has always gone up and down fine with these. If she won't go up these as well, I would think that points to a physical problem. Keira too has no problem going down the stairs, it's just up. It's to the point where she looks like she's having an anxiety attack. We'll see what happens.....

 

[NewfMom]

Great idea. At least you can see if it's all stairs, your stairs, or some difference between them.

We tried a ramp for the front porch and car but ours hate it. They'll only use it when forced. Luckily mine will put their front end up and I just lift the rear.

 

[Jeannie]

My dogs won't use those narrow ramps either. I took a thick piece of plywood, and covered with with carpet so it is not slick. The dogs will use it with no problem.

I'd check her hips and elbows. There my be an underlying physical problems causing this.

 

[Angela]

I had one Newf that never ever in his life would do the basement stairs. I tried everything but he just wouldn't.
He could leap and jump and turn on a dime, but was dysplastic, so whether that was the reason I'll never know.
Get her hips and elbows checked.

 

[Keira25]

We bought a big piece of plywood as well. I will definitely try the carpet, I can't believe I didn't think of that. No matter what the cause, my immediate problem is to get her up to the deck without hurting her or freaking her out worse than she is already. Thank you all.

 

[Ginny]

Someone else mentioned vision problems. I'd get that checked out too. One of my Newfs developed cataracts at an early age which really caused some bizarre behaviors 'til we figured out what the problem was.

 

[Nermgirl]

Wow....poor Keira25! I am looking into my first Newfie pup and your story gets me all worried about health issues and how it effects your life. I'll be watching to see what you find out from the vet.

Gads. *hugs to you* (though you don't know me!)

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Yup, I think I'd go have hips/elbows/back checked, to be sure there isn't a physical cause for her distress.

Please keep us updated and let us know what you find out, and how she is doing. Sending good thoughts, and hoping she's physically OK...just going through a phase.

 

[Keira25]

I bought a piece of carpet to put over the thick plywood and......she wouldn't step on it to go down the stairs. I removed the ramp and she walked down fine. It was much much easier getting her to go up on the carpeted wide ramp, but I still had to pick up her rear legs to keep her from rearing back while someone else gives her a little pull with the leash to get her going. Keira has an appointment with the vet on Saturday morning, so we'll see what the vet has to say. I feel a little better because the wider ramp is making it much easier to get her up. Keira would not go up my sisters stairs last night either. I'm thinking there is definitely something physically wrong with her, but also she's a dog that's easily affected by things, so it is possible she slipped or something. Of course that's wishful thinking on my part. Thank you for all your help (especially the suggestion about carpet on the plywood, duh) and kind thoughts. I will let everyone know how she makes out at the vet.
Eileen

 

[Murphy]

Good Luck..

 

[NewfMom]

You're a good newfy mom! I hope you get some answers at the vets.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

You sound very frustrated, so I hope you get some answers soon.

 

[sarnewfie]

it sounds to me a vet visit is in order to make sure her knees are healthy and hips, and shoulders.
i also would make the suggestion she is ruling the roost and making life hard on you demanding you wait on her hand and foot, i have seen that behavior also.
i would first take xrays also of the spine, to be sure she does not have real pain, that hurts her going up or down the steps.
good luck.

 

[Keira25]

Had an interesting rest of the week with Keira. Monday (?) night she vomited and had diarrhea. We attributed it to the bribes we gave her to get her up the stairs. Was fine for a couple days, then last night had multiple trips outside with diarrhea. Trip to the vet showed no parasites etc. in her stool, was given Flagyl. Due to some thinning hair, we had her thyroid tested. They're also going to check liver and kidney functions. Results won't be back till Monday or Tuesday. The vet did quite a bit of manipulation of her legs to see if she showed any sign of pain; she did not. Vet did say this doesn't mean anything, could just be a very stoic dog. She did not push me to have x-rays of the hips, but did say I should consider it. The vet who does this is on vacation, and I do have an appointment on March 2nd. She has to be sedated or put under, they'll see if they can do it with just sedation. I should add she had no problem stepping onto the scale which is a step of about 12 inches.
The thought has crossed my mind numerous times that she is "playing" us. That's actually why I first posted this under Training/Obedience. My mother has been very sick since the beginning of Dec. (just startd improving this week) so maybe she's picking up my stress vibes! I hope so. I would rather deal with a training issue than hip/elbow problem. Thanks everyone again.