Does anyone have a dog that doesnt like heights? We have just twigged why Barney doesnt walk up and down the stairs (we thought he wasnt big enough to start with) but he looks at them and runs away, he doesnt like being picked up - he looks down and whines - and wont sit on the sofa for long. and Looks over the edge and whines. He also will only sit on the floor of the car today so we had to take him out. Obviously this isnt safe for him. We therefore wont try him in the car for a while. We have come to the conclusion that he doesnt like heights. He is a lhasa and I thought they were okay with heights. We are going to go on holidays in this country as dont want to put him in kennels at his age and not sure how to transport him now. Was going to buy a cage for him and I saw something that looked like a seatbelt for a dog too. I'd be grateful for any ideas on what to do. Many thanks Gina.

Perhaps he tried to negociate the stairs or sofa when you wern't looking and had a fall. For me, it would be quite an advantage to have a dog that wont go upstairs or jump on the furniture! Do you have "open plan" stairs, many dogs dont like these. I would recommend a collapsible wire crate for travelling in, big enough so he can lie stretched out on his side and stand up, and about 3 or 4" higher than his ears - or top of head, or if you can stretch to it, even better is a custom made car cage that is built into the car. They feel safe in an enclosed space, they can brace themselves against the sides on during cornering, and are also still safe and unable to escape if car doors are opened. Personally I dont like the idea of the dog safety belts. If you did have an accident or have to brake very hard, the dog will still shoot forwards, but be stopped suddenly by the harness - I certainly wouldn't consider using them for puppies.

thank you for your reply. I dont think he has taken a tumble yet and my stairs are quite wide at the bottom 3 and then turn and are big enough for him to stand on but he wont - think the cat is glad LOL. I too had my doubts about the safety harness so wont buy one. I shall get him a nice crate and hope he feels more safe in it. I will have to get something in any event if he is to go in the car so a crate it is. Many thanks Gina