How do i get my dog to go upstairs?

Question

We have recently acquired a rescued greyhound. He has a few little problems but the main one seems to be the stairs in the house. He goes up the stairs in the garden fine but for some reason is terrified of the ones in the house. We have tried putting his bed upstairs, putting treats on every step, we even walked him paw by paw all the way to the top yesterday. He had a sniff round then went down again and there he stayed! Any ideas of how to get him comfortable and happy with his new found freedom?

Answer 1

Hatsuki, I wish I had a a greyhound.

Answer 2

Any chance he can see through the stairs?  Patience is the only thing I can think of.  Get him to go up one stair and praise him and then go up a couple of more and praise him...it will be a process.  

Answer 3

We had to put carpet down on some things. Tom doesn't like things with tile.

Answer 4

Sometimes if dogs have vision problems they don't do well with stairs.

Answer 5

If they are enclosed stairs he might feel a little suffocated or claustrophobic. Have you tried to sit down on the bottom of the stairs and play very very gently with him and gradually move up the stairs with him, giving him lots of love and praise as he progresses.

You could try to put his leash on him and have a very very yummy treat in your hand (the kind of treat that he rarely gets) and walk slowly up the stairs with him in a heel (put the food right next to your leg at his nose height and let him sniff it). Every few steps give him a little bit of it and give him lots of praise.  

Answer 6

it take time have someone in front of him and some one behind him so he knows he is going to be safe  

Answer 7

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/Do...

This site is very handy. :)