How To Help An Old Or Injured Dog Down The Steps
August 20, 2009
Many dogs as they start to age, or through an injury, end up with a front leg injury, and start to encounter difficulty when going down stairs. For some dog guardians, this may not be such a problem. However, for many others, who may be aging along with their dog, or who have health issues of their own, helping a dog down the stairs can start to become a logistical nightmare.
You may wonder, “How am I going to get my dog down those stairs?” For those who have a four legged best friend, but who live solo, the pressure can increase. If your dog should weigh more than you, or that set of stairs is looking pretty scary for both of you, it can be time for some inspiration. No, we are not talking about moving house. There are good solutions for helping a large dog down the steps that do not require a moving van.
Dogs with Front Leg Weakness
While some dogs are genetically pre-disposed to arthritis, others may have injured themselves by sustaining a sprained muscle, or a broken bone. Other causes for a front leg mobility problem can be a bone infection, a joint dislocation, ligament or tendon injury, or osteochondrosis. Some lame dogs may only be temporarily afflicted, while others are going to have difficulty getting down the steps on a more permanent basis. Regardless of the length of time involved, it is important to realize the important role of a dog’s front legs when it comes to mobility. Your dog uses his front legs to carry a good portion of his weight, more than 60%, in fact, while his back legs give him his speed. So, when you think about it, if those front legs suddenly stiffen up, or one becomes lame, your dog is not going to be quite so stable and will have difficulty getting down the stairs. Additionally, if he should have a stumble or two, he may start to baulk, or be fearful of the steps. This sort of condition is going to be comparable to a human with a bad knee or hip encountering the staircase. Dogs with a front leg weakness will have far more problems with going down steps, than going up, as the descent is when your dog’s front legs are needed to support more of their body weight. More information on lame dogs can be found at LINK FOR LAME DOGS.
Keeping Everybody Safe
First and foremost will be the safety of both you and your dog. You do not want to fall down the steps while carrying your dog, nor do you want to sustain a back injury from lifting incorrectly or from trying to lift a heavy dog. No-one wants to take a tumble, particularly when you are living on your own. However, unless you have the means to install a chair-lift or an in-home elevator, stairs are probably a part of your every day home life. From your dog’s point of view, it is going to be important to select a method that is both comfortable and safe for your dog. Be aware of ill-fitting devices that may allow your dog to inadvertently slip or fall. An injured or aging dog will be more hesitant and will not be as agile if they should fall. Care should be taken when lifting your dog to ensure that your dog’s weight is evenly supported. If you do have to attempt to lift your dog without any assistance, it is vital to remember to bend your knees as you commence straightening up. A good resource for lifting your dog safely is ProvideTheLinkHere.
Solutions For Dogs Who Cannot Get Down Steps
There are a few solutions to consider when looking for a way to get both you and your dog up and, most especially, down a flight of steps safely in your home. You do not have to continue to worry about your crippled or diseased dog who can’t get down the stairs. Nor do you have to be fearful of injuring yourself. The quickest and least expensive remedy is to get a harness made for safely lifting a dog. There are quite a selection of harnesses, sometimes referred to as slings, specifically designed for dogs with front leg problems. Harnesses generally work for dogs weighing up to 90 pounds. Other solutions require more planning and investment. Among these solutions are a stairwell chair lift and an elevator. Depending on your personal situation, the layout of your staircase, and the amount of money you are able to invest, one of these options may be of interest to you. The added benefit of the chair lift and elevator options is that both solutions enhance the value of your home and will also provide a means for you or a family member to get up and down the stairs as you age or if you ever have a mobility problem.
Harnesses
There are basically three types of harnesses. Rear end, front end, and total body. Front end harnesses provide support to the front half of your dog, rear is for the back end, and total body provides support for both. You need to make sure that the harness is designed to distribute the dog’s weight evenly across his chest and shoulders and will not run the risk of putting stress on his neck or back. Harnesses remove much of the “heavy lifting” work from your own back. You will be providing your crippled dog with plenty of assistance, but without having to carry him down steps. You will be holding the harness handles and guiding your dog, and the harness or sling will be providing your dog’s lame limbs with all the help he needs. For a dog with a front leg weakness, the total body harness (http://www.helpmyolddog.com/products.html), or alternatively, the front end harness will be the appropriate selections. When the guardian lifts the handles, the harness will take the weight off your dog’s disabled front legs. You will be taking some of the weight, but only what you can manage, not the entire weight of your dog. The more the guardian lifts the handles, the less weight will be placed on the front legs. Your dog will be stable and will no longer fall down the steps. Harnesses can be an ideal solution as most guardians should be able to use one hand for the handles of the harness, freeing up a hand to be able to hold a stair railing for extra safety. Additionally, the height of a large dog in a harness is going to result in the handles being at arm’s length for the adult of average height. This would ensure that stooping and bending can be avoided for the guardian, reducing the risk of a back strain or injury. Front end harnesses are simple to put on your dog. For medium and larger dogs, we recommend the BrandName Harness which has large leg openings and is easy to place on a dog even if they have an injured or sore back. It is important that the movement required to put the harness on and taking it off does not cause your dog further pain or injury. The harness has a very sturdy closure buckle that you fasten on his upper back. Some harnesses also have Velcro closures. It is important for the harness to fit snugly but not so tight he can’t breathe or move easily. The BrandName Harness has a standup handle which makes it easy to hold onto the front of your dog as you descend the stairs. [There is also a fastener for you to attach a lead. I highly recommend using a very sturdy short lead with a handle that will enable you to lift your dog using two lifting points on the dog.] See photo 1 for an illustration. Once the harness is on your dog, you can go slowly down one step at a time, with one of your hands on the handle, and your free hand on the railing or wall. You can either accompany your dog down each step together or you can go down one step in advance of your dog as you make your way down the steps. Harnesses can also be an effective therapeutic tool for those dogs who are convalescing, or recovering from a front leg injury or surgery. With a harness, your dog will be better supported allowing continuous movement of his front legs much like a human having physical therapy after hip or knee surgery. Always observe your dog’s movements and any reactions to make sure the harness is not causing him any discomfort or pain.
Ensuring The Dog Harness Fits Securely
Most harnesses will only work well if the correct size is used. A front end harness will require a measurement around the widest part of the chest, and another around the top of one of the front legs. Once you have these two measurements, the harness manufacturer’s sizing chart will guide you as to the most appropriate size. Be sure to follow the instructions for measuring your dog. If you are in doubt, ask your vet or vet nurse for assistance. There are a few points to consider before purchasing a harness. Velcro fasteners can be quite a lot easier to master than buckles, especially if your hands are not as agile as they used to be. Also, velcro is faster and easier to open and close, and there are no parts that could inadvertently pinch your dog. A harness with a soft inner linings can also be a good idea especially if your dog is going to be wearing the harness often. Most harnesses are machine washable which will make your life easier. Finally, for your own comfort, the handles should be nicely padded to avoid cutting in on your hands. Once you have your solution in place, you may or may not encounter resistance from your dog. However, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Take your time, be patient, and offer plenty of praise, and /or rewards. Once your dog realizes how much easier those stairs are, he should be happier to comply.
Conclusion
There are a variety of different solutions that can help a person get their aging or convalescing dog safely down a flight of steps. Important considerations will be the size and weight of your dog, not only for what is going to be most appropriate for your situation, but also for correct applications of slings and harnesses. Be careful of overestimating your abilities and strengths. Don’t forget that your dog is relying on your good health so it is important to protect yourself from injury as well. With a suitable harness or other lifting device such as a chair lift or elevator, you and your dog will be able to continue to enjoy life’s little pleasures, every step of the way.
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