Dog Won’t Come Upstairs At Night (What to Do)

It is a wonderful feeling to wake up every morning with your pet child right by your side, we all look forward to starting our day with a warm greeting from our dogs. Asides from the sweet feeling of waking up with your pet child, there is a sense of security our dogs provide.

Although some people may frown at allowing dogs to sleep with their owners, however, we all in a way feel safer with them being around and close. Every moment spent with our dogs can be very blissful.

This is why it can be somewhat disappointing when your dog suddenly stops joining you upstairs at night. This would cause you to wonder why there is a change in your pup’s behavioral pattern and search for ways to solve this.

Fortunately, we have all the answers you need, and you’d undoubtedly get everything figured out after reading this article.

Reasons Why Your Dog Won’t Come Upstairs At Night

The first time your dog skips retiring upstairs with you for the day, it may seem strange, but the second and third times could be quite disappointing and worrisome. This new development may even cause you to doubt your dog’s love for you or if your canine friend is mad at you.

However, this is usually not the case; read below to find out possible reasons why your dog won’t come upstairs;

1. Pain And Discomfort

One very possible reason why your dog wouldn’t come upstairs is due to pain or some discomfort they feel when you use the stairs. Age can influence health issues like arthritis for dogs that can make your pet child hesitant about climbing up and down those stairs.

The stairs are already very tasking for our four-legged friend’s pain and discomfort makes it a lot more difficult for them.

Be more observant about how your dog moves around and how active it is, if there are any signs of a leg or back injury, do not try to encourage them to use the stairs and make a quick appointment with the vet.

2. Vision Problems

Some dogs are prone to experience vision loss at some point, and this can discourage them from coming upstairs as they will lack the courage or confidence of doing so many things they were once doing.

When your dog is always too anxious to move around in strange places, unknowingly bumps into objects, or is quite hesitant going up and down the stairs, it is possible it is experiencing vision problems and would need medical attention.

3. Post-Trauma Effect

Your dog might have fallen down the stairs in the past and that must have been a contributing factor as to why it is reluctant to come upstairs at night. The trauma from falling must have spiked some sudden fear of the stairs.

It is too bad that dogs can not be vocal about how they feel, so you really wouldn’t know how that scary experience has affected your dog’s mental health.

4. Your Dog Is New To The Environment

Dogs can be quite timid when they are in a new home or environment, they tend to shy away from certain areas of the house, especially the staircase. Whether it is a puppy or an older dog, using the stairs may seem like a huge step for them to take and you just have to be very encouraging and give them all the time they need to try out new things.

5. Your Dog Simply Just Prefer It Downstairs

Okay, let’s face it, your dog has preferences too! And it may simply be your dog’s choice to be downstairs. It could be due to the temperature, your dog might prefer it downstairs if it is cooler and favorable.

Also, your canine friend may have found a favorite sleeping spot and would love to pass the nights there. Either way, there are no hard feelings, this doesn’t mean your pup doesn’t love you anymore.

What To Do When Your Dog Won’t Come Upstairs At Night

Letting your dog sleep close to you is one way to strengthen the bond between you, and when they suddenly refuse to come upstairs here is what can be done to correct the issue;

1. Try to determine the reason why your dog won’t come upstairs.
2. If your dog has a phobia of stairs either from a traumatizing experience or just naturally, you may need the help of a professional. Reach out to a dog trainer or opt for counter-conditioning and desensitization training. Also, try to make the stairs look like a safe place for your dog to use.
3. For dogs that are new to the home, try to encourage them to come upstairs by offering them treats and praises any time they attempt to use the stairs. This will help them loosen up faster.
4. If your dog simply just likes it downstairs, try and figure out why and then imitate the temperature downstairs or get a very comfy bedding that your dog can not resist upstairs.
5. Take your pet child to the vet immediately if you notice it needs medical care attention from body pains or discomforts. And until your dog has totally recovered do not allow it to climb the stairs. If possible, you can carry your dog up and down the stairs.
6. For dogs that have issues with their sight or vision, it is best to restrict their access to the stairs when you are not around. And when you are around, always assist them by turning the lights on and staying close to them when they use the stairs.

Final Note

Our canine friends mean a lot to us and are very dear to our hearts, and we all love to have them around us at all times. However, there might be a little bit of an issue when they stop coming upstairs or won’t even come at all.

Thankfully, this article has revealed all the possible reasons why this could happen and has also listed what to do to have your dog pass the night very close to you.