Hi everyone
Up until now we have had a babygate up at the foot of our stairs, to prevent our 10 1/2 month old shepherd pup going up and down. She's been allowed to use the stairs over the last couple of months on a strictly limited and controlled basis. She is very steady and doesn't gallop. I've also taught her to wait halfway down. We would like to get rid of the babygate and I was wondering at what age it would be safe/advisable to do so.

I haven't had her hips tested yet, that will happen in the New Year, although I have no reason to think they're not OK, I don't want to do the wrong thing.

All opinions/advice/experiences gratefully received
Thanks
Katrina

Hi Kat

We do the same as you with the stairgate at the bottom. Loki was not allowed to do stairs until he was roughly 16 months old. Tyr does try it on now and again if the gate is left open, but both of them know that they are not allowed upstairs. They both realise that this is not their bit of the house, so they don't bother with it. You may find that China will be like my two and once the gate does come down she may not bother with upstairs, but you won't know until you try. Don't take it down yet though, give it a few more months.

Beck

Hi Katrina,

She should be at least 12 months old. If you take the gate down and you see she goes up and down often, put it back up for another 4 months or so.

Stacey

Thanks Beck & Stacey. Just what I thought. SHe's a real velcro shepherd, so if I'm up, she would be up if the gate wasn't there. A special thank you for helping to convince my husband, who thinks I wrap the dogs in cotton wool!! So I need to show him another view sometimes!
Kat

Hi Katrina. At 10.5 months I start to allow just a little more work from a puppy. Not full adult work levels yet but moving towards it. Occasional trips up stairs will do no harm now. It is all part of the build up, a gradual increase in workload.

Best wishes, John