Are dog stairs necessary for small dogs?

All dogs deserve love and care, but every pup has their own individual needs. One of these needs is the type of canine - whether big or small. And whether you've got a tiny lapdog or gentle giant at home, understanding your pup's size - as well as its health requirements- becomes paramount.
So does your pet need doggy stairs to prevent injury? Well, smaller pups might feel like they're capable of taking on any animal that gets in the way of them protecting themselves or their family. In reality, though, they're more fragile than larger breeds—meaning you'll want to make sure they're protected while caring for them. The American Kennel Club reports that dog stairs are a great solution for these little guys; such things provide them with easier access onto couches and chairs without hurting themselves, plus it helps get them up into cars too—especially those with short legs (like Corgis and Dachshunds).
Can Your Dog Safely Exit the Couch? Younger dogs most likely will not experience an issue exiting the couch, even if it is of a lower height. This factor will certainly change when your dog ages, or has already been injured. If this is the case, then pet stairs are certain to help improve its endurance so that it can stay mobile for as long as possible. For now though, it's always best to be proactive about these matters. Though more than one dog has become injured from jumping off couches--even if they don't really intend to dive-bomb anyone coming through after dropping those massive stacks of letters--you'll want to make sure you reach them before they can dash away with an extra load of junk mail weighing them down. While small breeds seem almost endlessly energised at times and also enjoy launching themselves from bed and other furniture which are available, too much leaping around may cause joint damage and breakage over time without major injury being visible first hand on any given occasion.
Q: What is the best way to stop my dog from jumping off the couch?
A: The best way to teach your pet new behaviours or dissuade them from doing undesired ones, such as running away or biting, is through positive reinforcement and operant conditioning. One thing you can do is offer something they enjoy doing without you having to ask; like getting lots of attention when they sit on command. Use treats in combination with praise and affection while walking through these steps together so that they learn what it means to sit patiently instead of bouncing around when someone walks past them.
Remembering to work backwards may be helpful too. Start at the end - when your pet wants to go down instead of up - reward their good decision by praising them for all their hard work thus far then gently guiding them towards going down a few steps before stopping again so they know what is expected moving forward.
View our Best Selling Stairs today - 
https://perfectpetgifts.co.uk/products/pet-stairs
Back to blog