My ten week old flatcoat puppy has just realised she can get up stairs to see what is going on there.i have an older flattie who sleeps on my bed a lot during the day and so pup keeps wanting to go and be with her.If i catch her trying to go up i carry her but i have just caught her going down by herself(normally i carry her).She took it slow and deliberate but i am woried this might not be too good for herdeveloping bones.How old should she be before she can go up and down by herself and is going up ok and going down bad or should i stop both?
During the night i fit a baby gate to the bottom of the stairs so she cannot get up and this doesn't really bother her( the older one sleeps with me).i don't want to do this during the day or else my older girl can't get upstairs and after playing with pup she really does want some peace and quiet on the bed.Any ideas?

Hi, I have Golden retrievers mine are not allowed upstairs and I don't really recommend letting them use stairs berfore 9months of age preferably after 12months because of the developing hips.I use stairgates where necessary in the house and I have a door at the bottom of my stairs so it can be kept closed just my opinion better safe than sorry,can't say mine miss going upstairs ;-)

Briony:-)

Hi, I have the same problem with Diesel, he's a Dane puppy and if I'm pottering about taking washing and what have you upstairs, before I know it he's up there with me. I too am worried about the effect on his bones, so I am trying my hardest to keep the stairgate closed, although, when he does come up, I always carry him down and with a 13wk old Great Dane puppy, that ain't easy :D Although my goldie Baillie is allowed upstairs, and as he's 6, I think it unfair to try and keep him downstairs now, after he's been allowed all this time.
Sharon
X

hi,

Will uour dog use a crate to sleep in perhaps shut the door to stop pup getting at her for a while.At moment I have one goldie in utility room,pup fast sleep in crate in lounge,and my older bitch stretched out in front of the fire with bandaged leg.Were all listening to Trumpton with my little one:-)

briony:-)

I used a stair gate to stop my lab coming up but she was constantly jumping up at it to get over and I mean constantly. IN the ned we decided she was doing herself far more damage this way and removed it. WE jsut tried to keep an eye out and carry her whenever we caught her.

During the day when we werent there she was fine with the gate, it was only if she saw us going upstairs that there was a problem.

I use a gate like everyone else, keep it locked during the day and only let her up on a night.
Dogs are quite agile, mine has never fallen and still takes it slow going down(But then she's probably only got up at 10am and is still knackered, lazy cow).

Sarah

none of my 4 f/c go upstairs,it not good for their hip joints,i have court them in the act at the same age as your and give them a good telling off,they not been up them again,it was so funny at a midland counrties champ show all the stall were up stairs and teyha would not go up or down them so i had to carry this 24 kg up and down them,they will learn soon if she not allow to go up the stairs,

:D @ Dolly