I'm Baffled - YorkieTalk.com Forums

GucciMyGirl · 09-29-2005, 03:56 PM

Gucci is 15 mts. old and she has always climbed up the steps in my family room which has about 4 steps, she won't go down tho. As of yesterday she will not climb upstairs, and she loves coming up and stayin in the kitchen she waits for me to go downstairs and get her. She has not fallen or anything, what do you think has happened? I tried to entice her to come up this morning with a treat but to no avail. Has this happened to anyone elseyorkie? I appreciate your feedback...

Gina

RowdysMom · 09-29-2005, 07:07 PM

I woud say that something has happened on or near the stairs that scared her. Can you sit on the stairs and put her on your lap, get her to feel comfortable in your care and then help her up and down them? Maybe use treats. She needs to feel comfortable again on the stairs and since she trusts you, that may do the trick

yorkiegold · 09-29-2005, 07:21 PM

That was my thought as well, that something may have startled her.

The other thought is that she may be experiencing pain or discomfort, and if that's the case it's probably her "knees" or the stifle joints in her back legs. Keep an eye on her.

Good luck.

CJ

Hamoth · 09-30-2005, 12:59 AM

Are her nails too long? The stairs may be causing her pain. Yorkies can take a lot of pain before telling you, so check her paws carefully. Create some new "test stairs" and put a treat on it while the watches. If she avoids that too, then it's more likely physical than fear of that place. If she climbs the test-stack / stairs, then it's just that place. She will need to build new associations.

Begin putting her toys there when she's not looking. When you are training, put the treats on the other side of the stairs so she must traverse them for the treat. Place treats on the stairs. When you play, run up the stairs and have her chase you! These things should help build positive associations. If she ignores the treats and stuff there, then move them CLOSE to the stairs. Don't get frustrated or try to force her.

alaskayorkie · 09-30-2005, 01:07 AM

Eddie was afraid of steps when he was real young, but he got over it in a hurry when he saw another dog go up and down.

chattiesmom · 09-30-2005, 07:24 PM

Is it possible that Gucci might have fallen down the steps and injured herself. Dogs avoid doing things that hurt so maybe that is the problem. Hope you solve the mystery soon. Please keep us updated.

txshopper73 · 09-30-2005, 07:26 PM

you don't have ghost in your house she's seeing do you? Just kidding? I'm stumped.

YorkieShadow · 09-30-2005, 07:31 PM

My guess is that to she must of got hurt on the steps and now is afraid. My Little girl use to jump on and off the couch like nothing . But then got scared to jump down she would cry and wait for me. yet when shes going out side shes running and jumping on and off every thing. so Im guessing she must of hurt her self at one time jumping off the couch.

GucciMyGirl · 09-30-2005, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, Gucci was groomed last week so her nails are short, When I go to work or out I leave her downstairs with the gate by the steps I would have seen her fall if I was home. About possibly having knee pains she jumps up and down from my couch with noo problem. So I don't think she is having any pains... She just stopped, this morning I did as someone suggested staying by the steps and helping her up she didnt want to go up so I left her alone and carried her upstairs. Just weird ... I guess this too shall pass.. I hope..

Gina

yorkieusa · 09-30-2005, 09:08 PM

Are the stairs carpeted or wood? I would think that could make a difference.

Hamoth · 09-30-2005, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Gucci was groomed last week so her nails are short, W

Uhuh...and how long after htis grooming did she reject the stairs?

May I ask how much the groomer trimmed off of the nails? Were they really long and then cut really short? Or were they only trimmed back a little?

GucciMyGirl · 10-01-2005, 05:18 AM

Hamoth good thinking she was groomed on Friday and started this past Wednesday. that was a few days later, as far as my flooring I have wood that never stopped her before. I will let you guys know when she reassumes her climbing or if I figure it out.. Thanks

09-29-2005, 03:56 PM	#1
GucciMyGirl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 550	I'm Baffled Gucci is 15 mts. old and she has always climbed up the steps in my family room which has about 4 steps, she won't go down tho. As of yesterday she will not climb upstairs, and she loves coming up and stayin in the kitchen she waits for me to go downstairs and get her. She has not fallen or anything, what do you think has happened? I tried to entice her to come up this morning with a treat but to no avail. Has this happened to anyone elseyorkie? I appreciate your feedback... Gina

09-29-2005, 07:07 PM	#2
RowdysMom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,309	I woud say that something has happened on or near the stairs that scared her. Can you sit on the stairs and put her on your lap, get her to feel comfortable in your care and then help her up and down them? Maybe use treats. She needs to feel comfortable again on the stairs and since she trusts you, that may do the trick __________________ Rex & Rowdy's Mom

09-30-2005, 01:07 AM	#5
alaskayorkie Race to 7,000 champ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 10,485 Blog Entries: 25	Eddie was afraid of steps when he was real young, but he got over it in a hurry when he saw another dog go up and down. __________________ Meet Eddie and Jack: www.dogster.com/?159686 YouTube vids: http://www.youtube.com/alaskayorkie Picture site: http://web.mac.com/mlewishome

09-30-2005, 07:24 PM	#6
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,553	Is it possible that Gucci might have fallen down the steps and injured herself. Dogs avoid doing things that hurt so maybe that is the problem. Hope you solve the mystery soon. Please keep us updated. __________________ *Yorkie Yummies Silk Step-In Harnesses * NapSaks Click on the links above for order information!**

09-30-2005, 07:26 PM	#7
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Victoria, Texas Posts: 14,178 Blog Entries: 1	you don't have ghost in your house she's seeing do you? Just kidding? I'm stumped. __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley Gracie, London and Dallas

09-29-2005, 07:21 PM	#3
yorkiegold BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 215	That was my thought as well, that something may have startled her. The other thought is that she may be experiencing pain or discomfort, and if that's the case it's probably her "knees" or the stifle joints in her back legs. Keep an eye on her. Good luck. CJ

09-30-2005, 12:59 AM	#4
Hamoth YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 354	Are her nails too long? The stairs may be causing her pain. Yorkies can take a lot of pain before telling you, so check her paws carefully. Create some new "test stairs" and put a treat on it while the watches. If she avoids that too, then it's more likely physical than fear of that place. If she climbs the test-stack / stairs, then it's just that place. She will need to build new associations. Begin putting her toys there when she's not looking. When you are training, put the treats on the other side of the stairs so she must traverse them for the treat. Place treats on the stairs. When you play, run up the stairs and have her chase you! These things should help build positive associations. If she ignores the treats and stuff there, then move them CLOSE to the stairs. Don't get frustrated or try to force her.

09-30-2005, 07:31 PM	#8
YorkieShadow Yorkie Shadows are the best Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 8,397 Blog Entries: 1	My guess is that to she must of got hurt on the steps and now is afraid. My Little girl use to jump on and off the couch like nothing . But then got scared to jump down she would cry and wait for me. yet when shes going out side shes running and jumping on and off every thing. so Im guessing she must of hurt her self at one time jumping off the couch. __________________ Now Taking Orders Business cards, Labels, Holiday cards

09-30-2005, 07:47 PM	#9
GucciMyGirl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 550	Thanks for the suggestions, Gucci was groomed last week so her nails are short, When I go to work or out I leave her downstairs with the gate by the steps I would have seen her fall if I was home. About possibly having knee pains she jumps up and down from my couch with noo problem. So I don't think she is having any pains... She just stopped, this morning I did as someone suggested staying by the steps and helping her up she didnt want to go up so I left her alone and carried her upstairs. Just weird ... I guess this too shall pass.. I hope.. Gina

09-30-2005, 09:08 PM	#10
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,832	Are the stairs carpeted or wood? I would think that could make a difference. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

10-01-2005, 05:18 AM	#12
GucciMyGirl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 550	Hamoth good thinking she was groomed on Friday and started this past Wednesday. that was a few days later, as far as my flooring I have wood that never stopped her before. I will let you guys know when she reassumes her climbing or if I figure it out.. Thanks