Helping Greyhounds Overcome Stairs

Some greyhounds can have difficulty navigating stairs. As many ex-racers have grown up on flat rural to semi-rural properties, they aren’t familiar with certain aspects of living in a domestic home - like stairs.

Additionally, given their long legs and deep chests, it is very easy for a greyhound to feel overbalanced on stairs, particularly when descending.

At our Adoption Centres, we have wooden staircases that we introduce all our greyhounds to, to get them used to going up and down without balking or freezing. This is done by letting each greyhound investigate the stairs at their own pace, and rewarding them for interacting with the stairs in any way. In this way, we help greyhounds become confident with navigating stairs and avoid flooding them by forcing them into situations they might find scary or overwhelming.

Adopting a greyhound from GAP will mean that they have had some exposure to stairs. However, it is still very common for newly adopted greyhounds to be uncomfortable with stairs in their homes. Floating, narrow, or slippery stairs can be especially daunting. In such situations, it’s very common for the greyhound to freeze when they encounter stairs or just avoid going near them altogether.

If a greyhound is uncomfortable about going up and down stairs, the best thing to do is to gradually introduce them to being around stairs and ensure the experience remains positive at all times. The starting point will differ depending on the individual greyhound’s confidence around stairs.

For some dogs, this might mean receiving a steady stream of treats for being within a few metres of a staircase while for others it could be getting a treat (or a few treats) for every step they manage to climb.

At no point should the dog be forced or dragged up or down the stairs as this can often exacerbate the situation and make them more fearful.

Yes!

Let us know about the stairs in your home when you fill out an application form so our team can make sure that they've got a greyhound that's shown confidence with stairs in the facility or in foster care.

Our experienced staff can give you tailored instructions on how to help your dog navigate the specific stairs in your home.

In a situation where moving up or down stairs can impair your dog’s quality of life, it’s important to consider low impact alternatives such as ramps.

Ramps are also very useful for helping these dogs move safely in and out of vehicles. If you believe your dog might be having difficulty safely moving around your house due to age and/or a health condition, please consult with your veterinarian to determine what relief options are available.

No two greyhounds are the same, nor two households! If you have any questions before applying, please use our contact page and phone or email us.

We do offer 14-day foster programs and 6-week trial to safeguard your experience.

Please view our wonderful greyhounds for adoption here and take your first step with GAP NSW.