The worst thing since having our 9mth Mini Schnauzer, Rufus, happened last night and I am really worried.

Basically, our house is on 3-storeys and so the kitchen is at basement level. Rufus will not go downstairs, only up – so we have to carry him down to bed each night.

I was doing this last night at about 10.30pm and I fell – dropping Rufus about half-way down, so he fell about 5 steps straight onto the hard floor at the bottom.

I spent all last night awake worrying myself sick about him. At the time he seemed fine – just a bit dazed. I checked him over, and he was licking my face. He went to bed and slept through the night fine.

I got up at 6am to check him, and again he seems absolutely fine and was ok on his early walk.

I am absolutely heartbroken as I should have kept hold of him and although there may be no physical injury, how will he know it was an accident and not me mistreating him?

I probably sound stupid, but what if it scars him, as he fell from quite a height straight to the floor in a funny position – and he is only very young.

I am taking him to vets tonight to have a once over.

I feel terrible.

Louise

And how are you, Louise? To be honest, you are more likely to be hurt and traumatised than he is. By all means take him to the vet for a check-up, but if he's showing no signs of injury (bruising, swelling, stiffness etc) by now, then my bet is that he's fine. (I had a bitch many years ago who jumped from a 13' high roof onto concrete without injury, and who came down a 100' cliff in three jumps........scared me witless!!) Rufus being young will be a bonus - young animals (including children) are more likely than adults to 'bounce' rather than 'break'.

One of my dogs went running off the top of a cliff once, I was at the top panicking but he just came running straight back up the steps to the top. :ROLLEYES:

Hi, thanks for your reassurance.

I was just a bit shaken, my arm is grazed, my back is killing and I have
scratches where Rufus obviously held on to me for dear life!

I know your probably right, but it was entirely my fault and thats
why I think I am so upset...

We have sold this house and are moving at the beginning of september
to a normal 2-level semi - and I can't wait!

Don't let yourself go down the guilt route - you'll tear yourself up! It was an accident, pure and simple. Accidents happen, and no-one's to blame. Rufus certainly doesn't sound as if he blames you - so don't do it for him!!
:)

Louise,

When you move teach Rufus to walk down stairs! I know I had to carry my Cairn up and down stairs and it always terrified me that I would drop her. Not to mention what could happen if I fell down the stairs, you were very lucky not to injure yourself seriously.

When you move, make sure the stairs are carpeted for better traction. Work with Rufus so he will go down one step and then finally all the steps. There is absolutely no reason why a mini Schnauzer should not be able to go up and down stairs. Stop babying Rufus! When Abby was a puppy she was also scared of going down - up was a breeze. I sat down on the steps in front of her and encouraged her to come down one step at a time. I put treats on each step so she had a motivation to try - and I was right there in front of her so the descent did not look so steep. It took a couple of weeks for her to get comfortable enough for here to do it on her own - plus her legs grew a bit more. :-)

Stacey

Hi Stacey,

Our stairs are very narrow, steep and are varnished wood and therefore it is not ideal at the best of times for anyone – never mind a furry dog with soft paws!

When he goes to my mums house he has no problem going down carpeted stairs, so when we move it shouldn’t be an issue (hopefully!)

Louise

louise have you tried Shaw's paw wax - it is good for stopping paws slipping around on wooden floors. I don't like my dog leaping up and down stairs either ['cos of his long back] but we taught him to go up and down slowly by staying with him on each step.C

Hi Louise,

Yikes, the stairs do sound like they would make for a difficult descent. Glad Rufus is not afraid of steps.

Stacey

Louise, stop worrying about Rufus, I'm sure he is absolutely fine. You obviously did yourself far more damage than you did him so just concentrate about getting better yourself.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

I know you will feel worried but these things happen. I am the worlds worst worrier and will panick at the slightest thing. Unfortunatly i also take people at their word, i was advised not to let my dobe puppy go up and down stairs ( they meant run up and down loose all day) so for the next six months what did i do ??? Yes i carried her (very carefully) !!! She loved it she just flopped in my arms and layed like a statue. thinking of it now i feel like a plonker. She has now turned into the laziest dog you can meet (when she wants to be) and now goes quietly up & down on her own most of the time.

joze

Hi Louise,

I know how awful you must feel, (I once dropped one of my cats down the stairs because she struggled) but don't worry. Accidents happen. As everyone has said, it sounds like Rufus is fine, and not hurt. I'm sure he won't even remember this little incident.

Take care, and don't blame yourself.

Lisa

I know how you feel! We used to have to hoist our old Lab Mars over a gate when she could no longer shuffle under it and I slipped as my husband handed her over and I landed flat on my face in mud and cow poo. Poor old Mars had her fall broken to some extent by me but landed with a right thump ! She seemed fine although a bit winded but I kept amgood eye on her all the same !! It is amazing how resiliant they are !!

I would beat yourself up about it as accidents do happen !

Lucy
xx

Hi Louise
Hopefully you and Rufus are feeling a bit better now...but I thought I'd give you a giggle......

About 15 years ago, a friend of mine had stripped all her beds, and left all the duvets covers etc, and a quilt at the top of the stairs, while she made up clean beds.

She had the habit of kicking the whole pile down the stairs, and then putting it in the machine when she got down there.

Well, this day...she thought her toddler, who was about 18months, was in his bedroom......and kicked the pile of washing down the stairs........only to realise with horror..that Andrew had crawled under the duvet, and rolled himself up in it!!!

Happily, he wasn't hurt.....in fact he thought it was a game....but his poor mum never forgave herself for "Kicking the baby down stairs" and kept looking over her shoulder waiting to be arrested for months afterwards!

Sami

well it gave me a giggle sami - must have given your friend the fright of her life!

glad you 2 are better Louise. I have to carry archie up and down stairs cos of his back - he loves it, lies in my arms like lord muck! but i'm going to be extra careful now.

have a great weekend everyone, fingers crossed for good weather cos its horrible in London!
x