Best Dog Stairs Buyer’s Guide: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog needs stairs?
You can tell if you need to buy these for your pup after watching her with attention. Does she access places she wants easily? How often you have to pick her up to your bed because she can’t reach it without your help? If you notice that your dog has difficulties with lifting on your furniture then you definitely should think about getting a helpful stairs for her.
Ask your veterinarian about recommended height your dog may jump without harm to her spine, bones, and joints. Some dog breeds are more prone to developing such issues, although almost all aged pets have troubles with jumping. Therefore, you’d better take preventative care about your fur baby if she is not very young.
What are the best pet steps?
There is a plenty of pet steps and other helpful fixtures on the market. You can find the right one for any pet and purpose. There is not the one and only #1 option for all because all animals and their families and homes are different. Check out our list of important features that you have to look for in dog stairs and then make an informed choice.
Are ramps or stairs better for dogs?
Ramps and stairs do the same job for dogs but there are certain differences. Ramps are more convenient for dogs with severe mobility issues because they usually provide gradual lifting with less effort than steps.
Meantime, ramps require much more space than stairs. They are not a handy solution for a small apartment, for example. Thus, steps are the most versatile option for almost any case except those with limited mobility.
How do you train a dog to use doggy steps?
Most pets start to use steps right away because they see the benefit of using it instead of trying to access high place by their own powers. It mostly applies to small or short dogs that just can’t get onto furniture without assisting. They usually don’t need any training except for fearful dogs that may feel uncertain about the unknown object in the room.
The fearful pups will need a couple of days to get used to the new fixture around. At first, leave the stairs on their place for about 2-4 days without doing anything else with them. Then start to encourage your pup to use it by welcoming to the stairs and rewarding with a treat every successful time.
Pay attention to train your dog not only to walk up the stairs but to walk down also. Surprisingly, the number of pets don’t want to use steps to walk down and prefer to jump off. It may be harmful for their health, so you have to teach your dog how to get down on the floor using steps.
The main principle is the same – kindly welcome your pup to walk down and attract her with a favorite treat. Be patient, do not force your dog to use the steps to avoid anxiety. If you frighten your dog with the new fixture she may get stubborn and refuse to use steps at all.
Large dogs that have back or joints issues will need some training too before they get the idea of using the stairs. Dogs that were able to jump on the couch before, may need time to get used to their disability. Use the same training methods as described earlier and your pups will learn. You can ask a dog trainer about additional ways if they don’t work.