[Basset Man]

Our basset had surgery in both eyes, and although he can see some things, according to the vet, he needs reading glasses.

He has no problem going down SOME stairs, but he refuses to go down the six stairs to the garage. He will go up them, though. I'm sure it's a phobia from his being blind and wearing a cone days...

Winter is coming and he won't be able to use the patio as an exit door for his walks.

Any tips on getting him to use stairs?

 

[Toedtoes]

Work with treats and retrain him on them.

 

[Lillith]

Is the area well lit? Are the stairs slippery? Make sure the stairs are as visible as possible for him and easy to navigate, and then yes, begin training him to go up and down using treats. Slowly but surely.

 

[petpeeve]

Being a basset, and generally being prone to back issues as a breed, I'd have him checked by your vet for that.

Going down stairs (as opposed to going up) is usually tougher on their skeleture due to the weight bearing nature of it. Which may explain why there is reluctance in one direction but not the other.

I'm not saying this is the case here, but I think it's worth ruling in or out just to be sure.

 

[K9luv]

Would a ramp section be too steep? Or more short steps so that the incline is more gradual? I'm just brainstorming....
I do think it's possible his vision is a bit distorted and he may have trouble gaging distance and incline.

 

[Toedtoes]

Thinking on this, can you paint the stairs to make them more distinct from the garage floor. Many garage steps are cement and the same color as the floor. For a near blind dog (or person) that can make it almost impossible to distinguish the individual steps. He may simply see a big gray area and then step to have the bottom disappear.

 

[Uncle Foster]

Simple solution. Hire an assistance human.

Seriously, how much does he weigh. Can one of his people lift him and hoist him up the stairs?
I expect if the rolls were reversed your dog would go the extra mile for you, or in this case the extra flight of stairs.

Uncle Foster

 

[Khecha Wacipi]

Is it absolutely necessary for the dog to use the stairs?
I ask because I am a person who has a certain vision problem mostly corrected by glasses. If I am not wearing the glasses, going up or down stairs is very treacherous for me, and I would really be upset if someone insisted that I do it every day. If it is not necessary for the dog to do this, I really think it would be best not to ask it of him at all.

In my world, elder creatures should have accommodations made for them so that they can keep on doing the things they like to do and want to do, and things they no longer like or want should not be expected of them.