Dog Training & Health

[giandave]

Our 6yr old German Shephard Mix went upstair to sleep earlier today and would not come down. I went up to see if he was okay and when I guided him to the stairs, he backed away and sat next to the wall. I finally talked him over to the stairs and he put his paw up to me, asked me to carry him (which is not possible, he is 90#)....finally after a few minutes, he stepped down onto the first stair and slowly went down.

Could he have had a bad dream or something to cause him to fear going down the stairs?

Please let me know your thoughts and possible reasons why....

Thanks much!

[uptowndogs]

Is he equally fearful going back up the stairs? Could he have stumbled or fallen when going down at some point previously? I would watch after him closely and see if there are any other behavior changes, it's possible that he could be having pain in his back or hips (from falling or from aging). Sometimes when a dog is in pain he will exhibit the same behavior as that of a fearful dog. Keep an eye on him and watch for any other subtle changes, you may also mention this to your vet.

[giandave]

he goes up stairs fine, but when he goes down, its 2 paws on the one stair and 2 on the back...not the normal way for him going down them. I was also thinking that he may have fallen down them last night ( I was home all day yesterday and today and didn't hear him fall, must have been while we were sleeping).
Ive rubbed his legs, with some pressure and there was not yelping or pulling away, so I don't think anything is broken - but Ill keep an eye on him.

Thanks much!!

[bradfran]

He may have missed a step and merely stumbled...not enough to hurt himself but maybe enough to be scared. I'd just keep an eye on him, and you'll probably want to walk with him when he climbs down the stairs, atleast for a while until he gets confident again.

Poor fella. My first GSD hated our basement steps, when he was going up. They didnt have a back to them so going up he could see through them and felt unsafe. He would go up but there was no stopping half way, and he would do it quick.