We finally got a dog. She's around 6 months old, the person we got her from isn't quite sure. And she's something of a lab mix.. not sure what the other part of her is. she's adorable as hell. Has a bluegreen eye and a browngreen eye. Yellow coat. I'll post pictures later once I get the house finished doggy proofed.
The original owner got arrested and is going to jail for a long.. long.. time.. He apparently was a drug dealer in the Army. Great mixture. The lady took her in after her husband, who was the guy who had to arrest him seeing as it was one of his Soldiers, told her they were going to put him in the pound. She called the pound and they're immediately putting them down due to too many animals and not enough space.
The puppy, which we've named Semmy, is an amazing dog. He's already trained in a lot of things. He's house broken, she taught him sit in 2 days, he's very calm, doesn't jump on people, when you play with him he doesn't bite down he just kind of sticks your arm or hand in his mouth and sits there, he's great with kids and other dogs, he's amazing on a leash, doesn't beg, when fed treats he doesn't eat your entire hand or fingers... so far a great dog!
Problem is... we live on the 2nd floor and he's apparently petrified of the steps. DF had to carry him up when we first got home, which wasn't that big of a deal since we figured he was just scared of steps. Well, I got him to walk up the first flight of steps, which is only like 6 steps, but he won't go up the second flight, another 6 steps. I had to wake DF up and make him carry him.
Also, he's scared of everything in our house. We go into another room, he'll stand in the hallway afraid to move, and when we call him in, or tell him he's ok to come in, he stands there and we have to pull him in the room.
Great dog, very calm. Just a big chicken. He's scared of anyone that walks in the house. We sit out on the patio, a car or a person goes by, and he sits behind my chair trying to hide.

I love him to death. We're going to have to learn how to deal with his chicken-ness. And we will. It'll just take some time.

Any one have any suggestions as to how to cure him of his fear of steps? He lays down at the bottom of them and I can't carry him being prego, and DF isn't always home, and I don't want to wake him up every time I need to bring the dog in.

:tears
That makes me sad to hear.
Obedience school seems like the immediate solution...

Don't give up on him. Eddie was scared of EVERYTHING when I first got him, and he was 6 years old. He is like a whole new dog. We were just very patient and very loving. We let him come around and now he's a little social butterfly.

Awww poor thing... I dunno I guess I'd just give him time. I know this probably isn't the same but my cat is the same way. If someone comes by the door or it's anyone besides my DH and I she will go running into the bedroom to hide under the bed. She is very careful if I let her walk around the patio and if she hears a car drive by she will run back inside. It's just how she is but since your dog is acting that way for a different reason maybe either just give him some time or take him to obedience school like WGs_Grrl said. I kinda feel bad about doing that since the poor thing is so scared. :(

he sounds like a real "special needs" pup. He's gonn aneed lots of patience nothing that you are describing is normal behavior for a 6 month old pup. Sounds like he was either neglected and not socialized at all or abused. For the steps you'll have to work on coaxing never drag him. Find something it is a really "high" payoff for him. Might be bacon or chicken a favorite squeak toy he only gets to have when he does the really hard stuff. You have to keep this big pay off reward only for the really tough stuff like for now just the stairs. Will he walk on a leash? I think it will just take time and lots of goodies and lots of praise try not to get frustrated. I would try not to drag him or carry him when you can help it. Does he have a crate? It might be nice if he had a "safe zone" like a crate with a soft blanket that he could go to when he's anxious. Also if you leave him alone maybe consider confining him to one small are because if he's that anxious when you are there he might have some separation issues and you don't want him digging up the furniture or anything. Once you get him comfy at home you'll have have take baby steps and get him out into the community. Good luck!! He sounds like a sweetie. I am NOT a dog trainer BTW i just have always had dogs and do a lot of training with my pup (duck hunting retrieving....that's my user name....and showing)

:tears
That makes me sad to hear.
Obedience school seems like the immediate solution...

I would tell the school the issues befor eyou bring him in I don't think he sounds ready for that yet. Has to be comfy at home with his new family first I would think.

Sounds like he's been punished and made to stay in one location. Your going to have to take it one very small step at a time. And lots of patience.

Get some little treatslike they use at the dog show, to help with the steps. Praise him and pet him a lotwhen he goes up or down the stairs on his own. Use the treats to help coax him at first. Then just give them as a reward for overcoming his fears.

It will take some time. He is in a new situation and he has to learn to trust you and know what is ok in his new surroundings.

I figured getting treats, breaking them into small pieces, and trying one step at a time.. working on only one step at first.. putting a piece on the first step.. and letting him go up it.. then back down..and trying again a few times.. then put one treat on all the steps, and going up, so he gets a treat for each step. once he gets that down, go every 2 steps, then every 3 steps. I figure that way he'll learn steps are friendly. He seems to have no problems going down so far. But I've only had to do that once so far.

He does amazing on a leash.
We haven't got a crate. The lady said he did well in the house when they left him home alone. No real issues. He doesn't chew.
He just likes to sit there.. and stare at us. which I expected because he's with totally new people. I've got plenty of time to work with him. I'm not working. So he'll be good to go.
I checked a website when googling fear of steps, and it said to also ask the vet to check and see if maybe he has pain going up the steps. That could be another reason he would only go up the first part and refused on the second.
I'll definately keep ya'll updated.

He's not big on being left alone I can already tell. I went to the potty and closed the door, and I thought he was going to flip out. He whined and pawed at the door. And my DF was laying in the bed, but I dont think he realized he was there.
I'm sitting up on the bed where he can't get to me, and he's walking circles around it. He finally started eating though. And playing with one of his toys.

how heavy if he. I know you are preggo, but if it's only up 12 stairs, it's not that much even for being preggo. YDS is 20lb and I carry him everywhere and I'm 30 week. Try him with treats to try and remember it will take time.

aww, poor baby.. ithink the treat idea might work. just takes alot of patience. O rjust leave him in another room and he will eventually have to work up the balls to move on his own.

He's 6 months.. I'd say prolly like... 30-40 lbs.. But I cant lift that lol. I'm only 4'10" and 107 lbs. I'm not strong. lol

Poor baby. And poor guy for having to arrest his own soldier for DRUG DEALING of all things.

:no

(L) sony!!

Take him to Petsmart Training thing. I am sure they can do something. :D And I think it is cheap.... but don't quote me on that :giggle

I'm not big on petsmart training. I've taken a dog there before, and it failed. and the lady looked at me weird cuz my dog was bigger than me and already listened to some things. but she drug me around the store like i wasnt attached.
I'm going to talk to the vet, and see if there's anything he suggests. If he suggests schooling, I'll see if he can get me into contact with anyone who's dealt with a dog that has had some of the same issues.

He's doing good right now. He's laying at the end of our bed sleeping. So that's a good start. He trusts us enough to sleep. I got up and went potty and he didn't budge.

I think you should DEFINITELY get him a crate.

My old dog had seperation anxiety so our vet recommended we get him a crate that was just his size (do NOT get one a lot bigger we were told... he was full grown) and lay it with a favorite blanket and some water in a dish.

When nikki had the crate... he would hang out there until someone was home. He felt SAFE. it was HIS area and just HIS size. He loved it. it did wonders for him.

I definitely recommend you get a crate for your pup. even if he is great and housebroken doesn't mean he wouldn't want "his own room" so to speak. you don't need to close the door and lock him in... you can leave it open for him to use at his own pleasure.

a blanket, some water.. maybe a chew toy (my dog didnt like chew toys) and that might help a lot.

:sadeyes Poor guy! I don't have any advice for you but I hope he realizes that there is nothing to be afraid of now that you have him! Good luck!

I am a big fan of Caesar Millan's approace to rehabilitation (which it sounds like your pup needs). Providing strong leadership will inspire more confidence in your pup and help him to overcome his fears. He has several books out on his methods and specific issues such as dogs with overwhelming fear issues.

We rescued a "chicken" dog too lol, but he's a little weenie dog and not hard to move. Ours was terrified of loud noises, the wind (still is lol), and wouldn't walk in grass but only on dirt or concrete (potty trainnig was fuuuun.) But he was super skidish for awhile and that's just because of how they were raised in their previous home. Honestly, I think the best thing you can do is shower him with love and affection. Once he realizes how great you treat him, the scaredy-cat behavior starts going away. It took our dog about a month to trust us and understand we were now mommy and daddy.

I crated him at first too. It was funny because I felt bad doing it, but that little dog LOVED it! It's a place of their "own" and now I never even shut him in it... I leave the door open and he goes in and out as he pleases.

I don't know what to tell you about the stairs though. When my dog wouldn't get in the grass, I'd walk to a big patch and just pick him up and plop him in the middle, but I know lifting isn't really an option for you :P lol. I wouldn't try to tug him up the stairs, I would probably walk to the top and try to coax him into coming up there to you. Maybe get him past the first set of stairs and then when he won't go further, stand at the top with a treat and see if he'll come up for that. :dunno

:goodluck girly, I hope you get things worked out! And PS: YAY for adopting!!!!

That just breaks my heart!!!! Our pit mix is terrified of our hallway runner:dunno We had to move it to one side or she will sit in the nursery and cry when we are at the other end of the hall in the bedroom.

Your puppy is very lucky to have you.

I think you should DEFINITELY get him a crate.

My old dog had seperation anxiety so our vet recommended we get him a crate that was just his size (do NOT get one a lot bigger we were told... he was full grown) and lay it with a favorite blanket and some water in a dish.

When nikki had the crate... he would hang out there until someone was home. He felt SAFE. it was HIS area and just HIS size. He loved it. it did wonders for him.

I definitely recommend you get a crate for your pup. even if he is great and housebroken doesn't mean he wouldn't want "his own room" so to speak. you don't need to close the door and lock him in... you can leave it open for him to use at his own pleasure.

a blanket, some water.. maybe a chew toy (my dog didnt like chew toys) and that might help a lot.

definitely agree with this! sadie's crate is her safe spot. when she's nervous she can just go in there and chill :) dogs love crates, a crate is like a safe little cave for them.

as for the step thing, sadie was afraid of the steps too (we live on the third floor and she was a TINY puppy, at 7 months she *just* made it to 8 pounds) and i did the treat thing. i put her on the third step from the ground, and put a treat on the ground where she could see it. on her next walk, i'd put her on the fifth step from the ground. etc, etc. after a week or so and lots of patience she came around :)