Stairs - Page 1

I have a 12 week 27 lbs GS, he always wants to be with the family and will climb stairs to get there. There are about 17 stairs and are somewhat steep. Are climbing stairs a problem at his age. Thanks

A lot of people wish they had your problem. This puppy is displaying courage at a young age.

Ok, so no problem ?

Rhino You should try to keep your guy off the stairs until he is older, around a year or so. This is what I was told by my breeder, I could be wrong, but I was paranoid when my pup was young. I monitored everything he did, made him take naps etc. I just didn't want to take any chances. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but outside factors can contribute to the problem as well, such as obesity, excessive exercise, jumping etc. I had a tough time with my guy, I put up a gate, and when I had to go down the stairs, he would climb the gateLOL. So I had to send someone else to get the item. If you can, when everyone is up or downstairs, take him with you.

Thanks, thats also what my breeder said.

hi rhino --- i think your post is interesting -- i would be careful with your pup climbing stairs .. only because you stated they are steep and you don't need him to accidently fall ... but i am a proponent of establishing relationships with the dogs you own and part and parcel is observing and communicating -- in short --- your pup is telling you many things when it behaves -- SGBH is very correct in that your pup is displaying courage .. but your pup is also telling you other things too .. such as he will have athletic tendencies .. he has motivation !!! .. HE knows WHY he wanted to get to the top of stairs and his EFFORT is telling you what he is willing to do for what he is motivated for !! -- this will translate into how , when and where you teach him manners .. and similarily it will translate into any work the you are doing now and later !! for example - when some of my pups were this age i had them climb one or two staits in rag /bite training .. the concept was to teach him to focus only and only on the BITE ..and that ALL ELSE was Irrelevant , ONLY the bite mattered -- similarily i would have him charge through a kids pool for a bite , or hop over a kids toy for a bite --- it developed bite skills / intensity --then later all his obedience and behaviors were channelled to get the bite .. 1.5 years I never had to give the dog a correction , not one , -- becuase he learned to do whatever i desired as there was always /or randomly a bite .. he couldn't do what i wanted fast enough .. even the out [aus] -- so watch what your dog is saying to you ... now as for some breeders -- heavens to betsy !!! everybody is so worried about hip dysplasia .. well for crying out loud -if these GSD are so fragile i really believe they are not suitable to breed .. now don't misconstrue a traumatic accident causing injury - that is seriuos and and to be avoided naturally - but compared to what a lot of breeders say , don't let the pup do this or that ... did you ever watch a coyote pup , wolf pup , fox or a dingo pup -- they jump , hop , frolic over trees , rocks and allsorts of objects ... it's just part of nature !! exercise builds strong muscles and bones .. i get a kick out of many and many a breeder that are so worried about hip dysplasia .. now of course the joints muscles and tendons are developing !! of course and that is why i feel ok just moderation and safety -- but when you hear these people say -- oh don't let the dog do this or that for a year .. please !!! are these folks kidding me or what .. besides a 1 year old GSD is equivalent to about a 12 year old child -- so .. don't le a 6 year old comparable not do this or that -- such foolisheness . God is the GSD that poor of a specimen/ breed ??? but anyway watch you pup , exercise caution and obesrve who he/she is and learn about your dog .. use the info to help him and you grow together

ALPHAPUP I just have to say that I love your dog rearing style!

I'm with Alphapup on this one...I have never tried to prevent any of my pups from climbing stairs and have never had a problem. Factors contributing to hip dysplasia only affect dogs who are already dysplastic.

HD is genetic and can be affected adversely by ANY excessive exercise...do not over tax the pup with long exercise, but do exercise him. Steps are exercise and are not bad in moderation. I would worry more about the steepness given teh natural clumsiness of a young pup. Sure it will exacerbate the predisposal to HD to over do any exercise that will cause wear and tear on the joints...but any overdone work can cause problems down the line. A puppy is a baby, and should be treated like one, with caution but at the same time, much imprinting can be done to bring out the behavior and qualities you desire for the dog later, such as Alphapup describes.