is it true pups should not be allowed to go up and down stairs at what age is it acceptable

My Shih Tzu pup is 19 weeks old and he can get up the stairs and has done since he was 10 weeks old, but I think it will be along time, if ever before he will be able to get down.

I believe it isn't good for their joints all the jolting.

Large/giant breeds don't do stairs, well leos don't anyway not until they are at least 12 months old. Mine are 18 & 7 months and don't do stairs, though the younger one will try the first few as long as her back paws are firmly on the ground!! The elder one will do outside steps,  but she won't go near them in the home :)

I have a 5 month old Mastiff and he dosent do stairs. He can manage the 2 steps at the back door, but i wont let him go up, or down any more than that. I dont think it is good for them, especially if they are under 18 months old. I have been told its best not to let my pup EVER climb stairs or jump in and out of the car either, because of his size!!! Good job i have got a ramp!! I guess when he is full grown, and weighing 17-20 stone, he would find it a tad difficult to do anyway!! (not to mention dangerous!) ;-)

I've put up a stair gate to stop mine from going up the stairs as its not good for his young joints. I also do not want him slipping down them as well. The only draw back is the stair gate door is too narrow and makes it a job carrying stuff up them like a huge handful of washing.

My boy has just turned 8 months and up until a few weeks ago I was carrying him up and down the stairs...and he's no small lad(almost 27 kg now!)..but that was until we stayed at his breeders house for a few days and he learnt to master the stairs :D
I'm concerned about his hips and elbows so I make sure he never runs up or down, in fact coming down he takes it very steady and he is not allowed to constantly be going up and down them.
Hope this helps
Emily

Depends on the breed at what age they should be allowed to.  You don't want to put too much stress on the joints.  I tried to keep my last whippet pup from stairs in and out of the house - no luck - she just flew over them, but they weren't steep, and there's only 1 step so I gave up with that.  She also earned the nickname 'Tigger' because she bounced on and off the sofa and chair - there was no keeping her off - she never waited for us to pick her up on and off them.  But I did keep a stair gate on the stairs until about 5 months or so.  I taught her to do stairs just before 16 weeks as I had family from Canada visiting and on the off-chance that someone left the gates open I wanted her to know how, but still never let her do it herself for another month or so.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Wendy

I have a 17 week old Rottie and she knows that she is not allowed up the stairs unless its for a bath and then she is carried up. She doesn't need a gate yet as she doesn't even try.