What am I going to do?
By kris182_2000
@kris182_2000 (5469)
Canada
March 31, 2011 1:31pm CST
As my dog gets older, he finds it even more difficult to get up the few stairs we have when he goes outside.
I can't not let him outside, he wont have an accident in the house, he always waits until someone lets him out.
But when he decides never to come up the stairs again, what am I supposed to do?
Letting him out the front, as in taking him for a walk will be far more challenging as well, and he gets tired really fast.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I'll be able to do when that time comes?
2 people like this
8 responses
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
31 Mar 11
My first thought was some of those training pads, but I am sure he will not want to use them. I guess I wonder if you could build a ramp to go over the stairs. Then, I guess if he cannot walk up the ramp, you put him in a wagon and pull him up. Good luck Kris
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
31 Mar 11
I don't know how your steps are set up, but is it possible to lay a board across to make a small ramp? That way he won't have to lift his legs high to go back in.
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
31 Mar 11
That is a definite possibility out the front of the house, but maybe not inside the house, however, I could try it.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
31 Mar 11
Oh I didn't know about steps inside the house..And of course he goes upstairs to be with you? That's a hard one, unless you invest in one of those "elevator" things for those who can't climb stairs or you can move downstairs in these later years....
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
31 Mar 11
It's a side entrance to the house, only 2 steps, but the door is in the way sometimes.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
3 Apr 11
Is it possible to build him a small ramp for him to climb? That would be my only suggestion.
@Bad_Daddy55 (497)
• Canada
13 Apr 11
Make your dog a ramp for the stairs, it makes it easier for it walk up. If he gets tired easily, find out the distance that is easier and make the walks shorter. Everthing gets older it's a part of life..
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
1 Apr 11
It is a difficult moment of your life together. I understood a ramp to help him go up and down is not an option so all you have to do is to carry him on the stairs.
I carried my beloved Nera for almost a year because she literaly didn't know how to walk on stairs. She had Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and she wasn't able to go up or down the stairs for her last year of life. She was not easy to carry as she was around 22 kilos and we live in a block of flats, at the second floor. But I never complain. I would have carried her even more years but I had to let her go.
I was able to carry her in my arms but I imagine that your old buddy is a little heavier and it won't be easy for you to carry him up and down the stairs. But you still can help him walk on stairs. I saw some friends of mine who had an old German Shepherd and they live in a four floors building, at the last floor. They always used a towel to help him walk on stairs: they used to put the towel underneath the dog's belly, and they hold him up, so that the whole weight was in their hand, and the dog make the steps with ease. They carried him like he was a bag and as soon as he was downstairs, he was free to move without the towel.
I'm sure you fill find a solution for your old pal, it is too early to put him to sleep only because he has dificulties in walking the stairs. There are dogs with more serious illnes that live, and their owners would give anything to help them live longer. It wouldn't be fair for your old dog to put him to sleep only for this small reason.
I was able to carry her in my arms but I imagine that your old buddy is a little heavier and it won't be easy for you to carry him up and down the stairs. But you still can help him walk on stairs. I saw some friends of mine who had an old German Shepherd and they live in a four floors building, at the last floor. They always used a towel to help him walk on stairs: they used to put the towel underneath the dog's belly, and they hold him up, so that the whole weight was in their hand, and the dog make the steps with ease. They carried him like he was a bag and as soon as he was downstairs, he was free to move without the towel.
I'm sure you fill find a solution for your old pal, it is too early to put him to sleep only because he has dificulties in walking the stairs. There are dogs with more serious illnes that live, and their owners would give anything to help them live longer. It wouldn't be fair for your old dog to put him to sleep only for this small reason. 
@CraftnThyme (2)
• United States
31 Mar 11
I've seen a product that is available for purchase that is like a rug with liners for dogs who have to be home too long between trips outside, so they may do their business on the mat and everyone is happy. Perhaps something like this will work for your pet.
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
31 Mar 11
He's too big for those and probably wouldn't use one anyways. He'd rather go outside.
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
31 Mar 11
hello kris,
Why not give him a comfortable shelter outside if he is having trouble climbing the stairs.
Or,if you can carry him,then you have to do it each time he goes outside.
I know we feels sad when our pets gets older and seems weak...pets our part of our family and we don't want to lose our beloved pets.
have a great day
@Robswife2006 (1208)
• United States
31 Mar 11
It's really hard to say. I have a dog that is getting older too, but so far she does not have any problems w/ stairs or anything like that. If & when that day comes I will carry her outside & carry her back in as well. I will do all that I can to take care of her if it's in my power to do so. Of course I have a small dog. She is a little over 9 pounds so it's easy for me to say this. I'm not sure how big your dog is so carrying him might not be so easy for you to do.
