big dog starting to have a little trouble coming down the stairs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I knew one family that got these clear adhesive rectangles and put them on their stairs. They were noticeable if you were looking for them, but they were relatively inconspicuous otherwise. Helped the dog. When the family dog passed, they removed the pads. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756M19NC/ref=psdc_110761011_t2_B07C6GJ1LK

OP. Great find, thanks!

You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He should not be jumping down from the back of your car. No large dog should, really. Bad for their joints. Mine is a 100lb and he gets in and out through the back passenger door.

+1

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this will help you pinpoint any possible issues, but my vet told me that jumping/going up puts the pressure on the back legs while coming/jumping down is pressure on the front. I give my beagle Dasuquin chews and he takes CBD oil, though I don't really see much improvement with that (maybe that's a good sign that it actually works). I found that acupuncture was REALLY helpful, though REALLY expensive. Also echo the recommendation to get mats or something for the bottom of the stairs, as the vet said a good take off or landing is very important.

[Anonymous]

OP here with an update. I ordered some no-slip strips for the stairs and put them on a couple of days ago. However, I put them on in the middle of the stairs, and he's still been trying to go down the side of the stairs closest to the wall, as he does when nervous. We've all been encouraging him, but I think it may take a bit longer until he gets it. It has helped with tumbling/sliding though, since his paws still land on the strips a bit.

I also left a message for his vet, although she's out of the office right now.

[Anonymous]

No longer allow dog upstairs. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. I ordered some no-slip strips for the stairs and put them on a couple of days ago. However, I put them on in the middle of the stairs, and he's still been trying to go down the side of the stairs closest to the wall, as he does when nervous. We've all been encouraging him, but I think it may take a bit longer until he gets it. It has helped with tumbling/sliding though, since his paws still land on the strips a bit.

I also left a message for his vet, although she's out of the office right now.

OP, another update: He's getting used to the no-slip strips and is going down the stairs more easily now. He still has some trepidation and tends to rush, but I think he's learnt that he won't slip if he goes down the middle of the stairs. So, I'm happy and grateful to the PPs that suggested this.

The vet returned my call and send that there was nothing in her notes suggesting concern for arthritis. We still have the option of seeing her instead of a tech when he take him in next month for shots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. I ordered some no-slip strips for the stairs and put them on a couple of days ago. However, I put them on in the middle of the stairs, and he's still been trying to go down the side of the stairs closest to the wall, as he does when nervous. We've all been encouraging him, but I think it may take a bit longer until he gets it. It has helped with tumbling/sliding though, since his paws still land on the strips a bit.

I also left a message for his vet, although she's out of the office right now.

OP, another update: He's getting used to the no-slip strips and is going down the stairs more easily now. He still has some trepidation and tends to rush, but I think he's learnt that he won't slip if he goes down the middle of the stairs. So, I'm happy and grateful to the PPs that suggested this.

The vet returned my call and send that there was nothing in her notes suggesting concern for arthritis. We still have the option of seeing her instead of a tech when he take him in next month for shots.

Yea! So glad that helped (I'm the PP who sent the link).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He should not be jumping down from the back of your car. No large dog should, really. Bad for their joints. Mine is a 100lb and he gets in and out through the back passenger door.

OP back. Dog is doing great with the strips on the stairs--no more slips, and his former hesitation is 90% gone. So happy about these strips.

I do want to get a recommendation for a ramp, if anyone has one? He still jumps up pretty easily with a running start, but today he had to scramble a bit. It may be because I had a thick dogbed in the back and he wasn't expecting to have to jump that high, since it had been in spouse's car the past week--however, I think it couldn't hurt to go ahead and get one.

[Anonymous]

Glad your dog is doing well on the steps. We finally got to the point where we have to deny our dog going up and coming down the steps. DH slept on the sofa, next to his dog bed for a couple weeks to ease with the transition of him sleeping by himself. It is OK for the dog to sleep by himself, even if he’s been sleeping with you for years. Our dog simply waits at the bottom gate for us to come down and give him some morning love?

[Anonymous]

I'm reviving this thread to see if OP can provide an update on the strips she got for the stairs and if she found a ramp she liked. We've got a large 10 yo Lab mix who has arthritis. He's well exercised, at a good weight, been on supplements/medication for years and we regularly take him for accupuncture but, alas, old age can't be banished. Our house is a split foyer so stairs are unavoidable. I'm middle aged myself so hauling him up the stairs isn't an option. Hoping for an update and/or additional recommendations! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Our 9 year old dog is on Glycoflex (per vet, started at 600 mg per day, now at 300 mg per day for forever) and Welactin (based on weight). Seems to help, and you can get both at Amazon or chewy.com or wherever.