When do you decide your dog should no longer use the stairs?
The way a dog moves through their home, especially on stairs can tell us a lot about how they feel, not just physically, but emotionally too.
A dog should stop using the stairs when their behaviour starts to tell you it’s no longer working.
Dogs won’t always cry out in pain but they do communicate through posture, hesitation, speed, avoidance, and change. You just have to know what to look out for:
Hesitation at the top or bottom like they’re unsure or calculating risk
Launching or rushing down to “just get it over with”
Wobbling, sliding, or losing control midway
Choosing speed over balance or strength
Avoiding the stairs altogether or needing coaxing (don’t encourage them when they are visbly unsure this is when accidents happen!
Seeking more proximity or following you more intensely even if it’s uncomfortable
Becoming reactive or anxious when being lifted, helped, or blocked
Why it matters and what’s at stake
"He fell down the stairs last week… he’s just getting old."
Dogs should stop using the stairs well before they fall!
A slip on the stairs can be life changing. Dogs don’t just lose their footing, they lose confidence. That lingering fear and second-guessing at the top of the stairs and uncertainty in their own body sticks and it can make them more anxious, more clingy, and more withdrawn trying to feel safe again.
Home modifications are behaviour support
You may not think of flooring or stair gates as behavioural interventions but they are because when you reduce slipping, falling, or struggling, you’re reducing stress, anxiety, fear and loss of agency. You’re protecting their confidence and emotional regulation, as well as their joints.
Simple changes can make a big difference:
Carpeted stairs or non slip tread
A harness with a handle to assist descent
Baby gates to block stairs when unsupervised
Supportive rest areas where they feel safe and comfortable
Layout tweaks to reduce how often they need to use stairs
This is preventative care and just like pharmaceuticals support the body to manage pain and inflammation, these modifications support behaviour, confidence, and quality of life.
If they can’t they shouldn’t
If your dog’s behaviour is telling you they’re no longer sure about the stairs believe them.
Act early.
Prevent the fall.
Protect their peace of mind.