Dog advice needed - not camping related

[NancyDee]

This is not camping related but I know there are alot of dog lovers on this form.

Saturday night I let my 12 yr old husky, Colt, out in the back yard to potty.
I have 5 metal slatted stairs to go down and his back paw slipped and got caught.

I got it out and he is fine. (no limping or favouring it).
My problem is, now he will not go outside. He is fine with the indoor stairs and fine with our front porch, but afraid to go out the back.
Any suggestions to get him over this fear??

TIA
Nancy

 

[kmccain]

Will he come up them?

I think Caesar would patiently coax him down them. Don't drag him but give him a tug and let off on the leash if he moves. Slowly reintroduce the stairs. After you get him down them do it over and over so that he sees they wont hurt him.

Good Luck!

 

[NancyDee]

I went out tonight and bought some of that green indoor/outdoor turf (like I have for camping) and covered the stairs so it won't happen again.
I will try taking him down and up them and see if that will work.
The poor guy is 12 and has to pee in the middle of the night (you guys over 50 know what I mean ) It's easier for me to open the door and let him go then getting dressed at 4am and walking him.

 

[2goofycampers]

I think it will just take time. Try food or saying look at that cat, works for me.

 

[Miss Peach]

I would try a little of his favorite naughty food. Just out of reach so he needs to take that first step.

When our little dog was attacked by a pit bull, it was a long, LONG process to get him outside of the house. Food is his weakness, and that is how we finally coaxed him back out into the world.

Good luck!

Cathy