Why Is My Dog Scared of Stairs? Bobo Explains
Bobo & Mommy ·
Your dog will sprint across a field, leap off the couch, and fear nothing... until they reach the top of the stairs. Then suddenly they're a tiny, frozen statue. We asked Bobo to walk us through it.
Bobo's brave confession
Hey Bobo, what's going on? Mommy is downstairs.
And? I... can't get to her.
What do you mean? The stairs. They're too big.
Too big? Yes. I'm trying to be brave but... my little steps are big steps here.
Are you too scared to go down the stairs? I'm not scared of many things, I'm Mommy's hero. But this feels unfair. Mommy and Daddy have giant legs. Giant legs, giant steps. Bobo has little legs. So why are there no little steps for Bobo?
Do you think you can do it? I'll try my best. Puppy steps, puppy steps.
He made it, for the record. Hero status intact.
So why are some dogs scared of stairs?
Bobo's "they're just too big" defense is genuinely most of the story:
- The steps really are huge to them. For a puppy or small dog, a normal stair is a serious drop. Their caution is good sense, not weakness.
- It's often about confidence, not fear. Many dogs simply haven't learned the motion yet. Stairs are a skill, and skills take practice.
- A bad memory can linger. One slip or tumble can make a dog wary for a while, so patience matters.
The gentle fix: start on the bottom step, keep it low-pressure, and reward every brave try with a treat and lots of "good boy." Never rush or carry them past it. Puppy steps, exactly like Bobo said.
Watch Bobo's full interview
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Love, Bobo & Mommy 💛