Carrying puppy for release...

[stavrast]

Hi everyone,
I have a question regarding carrying my puppy down the stairs early in the morning when he has been holding his little bladder for about 8 hours. We live on the second floor but I use the backyard for his releases so we have to go down two staircases. Through the day I just put his leash on and take him out without a problem. But early in the morning I'd think it would put too much pressure on him. Is that right?
He is now 2 1/2 months old and about 27.5 lbs. I'm also the only one in the household who can carry him out... Should I stop doing that by now? I also carried him all this time because I didn't want him acquiring any injuries in his developing skeletal structure. But I suspect it's time for him to go down by himself at all times.
Thanks

[rlindaromero]

I think I read somewhere that they had to be at least 6 months old or so before they could go up and down stairs alone.

I'm guessing your pup may still be too young to do it alone.


*edit*

I went back and found that website...

they recommend they should not go up and down stairs until they are 4-5 months old.

[samanthac]

I suspect you are right. Disel one day at 9 weeks got away from me and charged up the steps, down took a few weeks longer, but that is not unusual. I don't know how much I buy into this don't let them walk on carpet, don't let them run up and down stairs, don't let them jump, don't keep them crated, don't let them on cement or tile or wood or linoleum. Heck why don't we just suspend them from the air until they are 2 while we are at it. I mean they are puppies. ;)

I believe that you should be careful and exercise caution and common sense, but I also believe that you need to let them be dogs. It is my personal belief that hips are 90% genetic, 8 % environment and 2% luck! A bad hip is a bad hip and nothing is going to change that. A good hip is a good hip, but you do want to make sure a major injury does not change that. :)

But perhaps Judi or Sharon who've raised a heck of a lot more pups than me can chime in here.

[stavrast]

Surely I can't wait 'till he is 4 or 5 months old! He'll be around 40 lbs by then! My mother-in-law taught him to go up and down the stairs and he manages very well. I'm just afraid that early in the morning, when he has been holding for so long, he won't be able to hold it when he goes down two stairs. Come to think of it, I think the only solution is for me to experiment...
P.S.
Samantha, I hope you told your husband that you did a good deed yesterday...
Thanks

[rlindaromero]

Originally posted by stavrast
Surely I can't wait 'till he is 4 or 5 months old! He'll be around 40 lbs by then! My mother-in-law taught him to go up and down the stairs and he manages very well. I'm just afraid that early in the morning, when he has been holding for so long, he won't be able to hold it when he goes down two stairs. Come to think of it, I think the only solution is for me to experiment...
P.S.
Samantha, I hope you told your husband that you did a good deed yesterday...
Thanks

LOL! I hardly ever go to the 2nd floor of our house but the few times that I did I remember Layla had to go up there with me. It was tough carrying a 40lb baby up the stairs. Luckily for me it was not an every day thing.

I'm sure if you are careful there should not be any problems. Like Samantha said those types of problems are mostly genetic.

Good luck with your baby!

[Judi W]

Keep the pup on a leash so you can control the speed and the pup doesn't go careening up and down the stairs. Use the leash to teach the pup to go one step at a time and do this until the pup is older. Personally, I don't carry dogs. Yes it will take you longer to go down in the morning. So, get up a little bit earlier!

[stavrast]

Ah, Judi! I have been using the leash to control his speed and save him from any accidents. But what do you mean it will take me longer to go down in the morning? I wake up every time he starts whining and crying to take him out. Isn't that good enough? What do you suggest? Just put him on a leash and take him down, right?

Also, thanks rlindaromero for the good will. He is such a good boy. Occasionally he gets the zoomies but I have chewing bones and toys for that. He is also listening to my commands, especially when he can smell the treats in my right pocket. Lately, I'm working mainly on other things than play-biting and aggressive behaviour. I'm sure all this running around will prepare me perfectly for my first child - when he or she comes...
Thanks

[Sharon Marples]

Once my pups hit 8-10 weeks of age, I don't carry them around anymore. But in doing stairs, I agree with Judi.....keep them on a leash so you can control the speed and accuracy in which they navigate the stairs. You don't want them slipping around or jumping too many steps at once.

If he is whinning and you get ready to take him down and you don't want to have him have an accident on the way down, talk to him as you go, try to keep his attention and if he looks like he will be stopping to squat, give a light tug on the leash, say "let's go" and keep him moving.

[Judi W]

Originally posted by stavrast
Ah, Judi! I have been using the leash to control his speed and save him from any accidents. But what do you mean it will take me longer to go down in the morning?

It will take a bit longer to go up and down the stairs guiding the pup one step at a time than it takes for you to swoop him up and carry him.

[stavrast]

He already knows how to go down the stairs so I guess I'll just follow Sharon Marples' advice and talk to him while he's going down when he first wakes up. And if he seems like he is about to go I'll just rush him.

What had me thinking was his pitiful cries and whining...He sounds like he's learning to speak hyena... Do you think the little rascal does it on purpose? He did wake me up last Tuesday at 4:00 in the morning and when he went he really didn't do much... Rather he started running around as if he wanted to play right there in the freezing dark! I called him a name I won't repeat and went back upstairs.

Anyway, thank you all for the valuable advice.

[stavrast]

Well, your advice worked! It did take a little bit longer and I did have to tempt and 'push' him with treats and sweet talk. The second he came out of the crate and saw me reaching for the leash he knew what was coming. No more free rides! He streched, and yawned, and layed on the floor belly-up, and then wouldn't sit still for me to put on his collar, but I did, giving him a treat which got his final cooperation. Little booger can hold it more than he pretended he could! Anyway, I'll do the same thing tomorrow and hopefully my carrying days are over.
P.S.
I love Judi's line: "I don't carry dogs..." Tough love. And so much effective...
Thanks