How weird is this.... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

xFoxyx · 11-05-2014, 04:03 AM

So my Ripley who runs up and down the stairs all day, including ones leading to the sofa and bed, refuses to run up the stairs on our deck when we take her out. Its only 3 steps which are wider and closer together than the ones inside. She runs down them just fine...but, coming back in you can't budge her. Not even with treats. She just sits there and barks. She will put her front paws on the first step, but that is as far as she will go. We thought she might have hurt her leg, but we can't see any change and she runs up the stairs all the time with no issue inside the house.

This is only been the last two weeks. Before, she was fine. I can't figure out what has spooked her.

Any suggestions?

TeresaM · 11-05-2014, 05:16 AM

Certainly sounds like something has spooked her. I'd try starting all over like you would a puppy just learning to do steps. Place her feet on the next step and gently lift her bum so that she takes a step forward and then set her back legs down on the step. Give her a treat and big praise. Repeat with the next step until you've gotten to the top. Do this a few times and then go play with her. Try doing it several times a day. Hopefully she'll gain her confidence back quickly.

matese · 11-05-2014, 07:37 AM

your outside steps, do yo have kick plates on the backs or are they open? If they are open and she is tiny maybe she got a sudden fear of the open space behind the steps. If they are closed, i have no clue. As TeresaM has suggested, start all over again... Good luck

Doodlebug · 11-05-2014, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matese

your outside steps, do yo have kick plates on the backs or are they open? If they are open and she is tiny maybe she got a sudden fear of the open space behind the steps. If they are closed, i have no clue. As TeresaM has suggested, start all over again... Good luck

Same thing happened with one of ours. After my husband nailed boards on back they were fine.

xFoxyx · 11-05-2014, 11:48 AM

Ripley is about 5 1/2 pounds so not too small. They are open steps. I called my DH to see how she was doing today and she actually came up the steps because he threw a toy up there. But when he didn't have the toy she wouldn't come up. I guess we are just going to have to start all over with her. I may look into boarding up the back of the steps. That was a good idea. Thank ya'll.

11-05-2014, 04:03 AM	#1
xFoxyx Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 568	How weird is this.... So my Ripley who runs up and down the stairs all day, including ones leading to the sofa and bed, refuses to run up the stairs on our deck when we take her out. Its only 3 steps which are wider and closer together than the ones inside. She runs down them just fine...but, coming back in you can't budge her. Not even with treats. She just sits there and barks. She will put her front paws on the first step, but that is as far as she will go. We thought she might have hurt her leg, but we can't see any change and she runs up the stairs all the time with no issue inside the house. This is only been the last two weeks. Before, she was fine. I can't figure out what has spooked her. Any suggestions? __________________ _______________________________________ Proud Mommy to Presley (RIP), Ripley Skye . and Chloe Belle RIP my beautiful boy, Presley. 8/96 to 1/14

11-05-2014, 05:16 AM	#2
TeresaM Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX Posts: 3,358	Certainly sounds like something has spooked her. I'd try starting all over like you would a puppy just learning to do steps. Place her feet on the next step and gently lift her bum so that she takes a step forward and then set her back legs down on the step. Give her a treat and big praise. Repeat with the next step until you've gotten to the top. Do this a few times and then go play with her. Try doing it several times a day. Hopefully she'll gain her confidence back quickly. __________________ If you think dogs can't count, put 3 biscuits in your pocket, then give him only 2. Gracie Ruth & Boo & Yogi & RIP Annie B. & Bonnie Lane

11-05-2014, 07:37 AM	#3
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 69,269	your outside steps, do yo have kick plates on the backs or are they open? If they are open and she is tiny maybe she got a sudden fear of the open space behind the steps. If they are closed, i have no clue. As TeresaM has suggested, start all over again... Good luck __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog

11-05-2014, 11:48 AM	#5
xFoxyx Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 568	Ripley is about 5 1/2 pounds so not too small. They are open steps. I called my DH to see how she was doing today and she actually came up the steps because he threw a toy up there. But when he didn't have the toy she wouldn't come up. I guess we are just going to have to start all over with her. I may look into boarding up the back of the steps. That was a good idea. Thank ya'll. __________________ _______________________________________ Proud Mommy to Presley (RIP), Ripley Skye . and Chloe Belle RIP my beautiful boy, Presley. 8/96 to 1/14