Have you ever seen your Corgi climb stairs? Or maybe you were present when it fell off them? Find out all about Corgis and stairs here!
Owning a dog means teaching it some basic rules – and not just tricks. For example, if you keep your Corgi inside, you should teach it how to behave in the house. That also includes teaching it how to climb stairs if it’s a two-story house.
So, can Corgis climb stairs? Yes, if you teach them how to properly. Their tiny legs might worry you, but there are ways in which you can prevent unnecessary injuries.
I suggest you stay until the end of this article and learn more about teaching your Corgi to climb stairs – and what to do if an accident occurs.
Can Corgis Walk Up Stairs?
When you have such a lively dog in your house, there is a lot that can go wrong, even if you are extremely careful. The current topic is climbing stairs, though.
When you brought your Corgi home, you must have wondered, “Can Corgis go up stairs?“
They can, but you have to teach them how to do it without falling off and rolling down. Yes, you heard me – rolling down the stairs is not out of the question.
A couple of non-ideal outcomes are possible, and it would be good to list them here. Let’s do that right away.
What Can Go Wrong?
Problems Due To Hip Dysplasia
That’s the most common problem that could impact your Corgi’s ability to climb or go down the stairs.
Hip dysplasia is a disease that occurs in many dog breeds, including your Corgi. You can guess by the name what the root of the problem is.
The condition can not only prevent them from climbing stairs but from walking straight, too.
Important: This problem requires your full attention. So, I will talk in detail about hip dysplasia a little later.
Corgis Can Be Extremely Stubborn
We are talking about dogs whose main characteristic is stubbornness. Imagine what it’s like when it comes to a new challenge, such as climbing stairs.
If you keep them in two-story houses, these dogs will surely want to explore what is in the upper part. If you’re hesitant about “can Corgis climb stairs,” just watch them dedicate their entire day to this challenge.
The problem with their stubbornness is that they will constantly try to climb the stairs in their own way. You may find yourself in a situation where your Corgi totally ignores you, which is not good. It can easily get injured.
What happens then? More trouble.
Flying Off The Stairs
If you thought climbing was the only problem, you were wrong.
After your pup climbs the stairs, the next question is – how to get down?
There is one problem here that is obvious to all owners – and that is the fear of your Corgi flying off the stairs.
Corgis who do not yet have a developed sense of the environment in which they spend their time can be easily injured in this way.
Are stairs bad for Corgis? Not necessarily; it’s just a new thing they’ll have to get used to – with your help, of course.
Spending Extra Money On The Vet
The previous one and this problem go hand in hand.
The more injuries your Corgi ends up with while climbing stairs, the more money you will have to take out of your wallet. And I’m not talking about small sums.
The bigger the injury, the higher the cost.
If you don’t have dog insurance, this can significantly affect your budget and make it difficult for you to take care of other costs related to dog care.
Your Corgi Might Be Too Small
Corgis are relatively small animals and can reach a maximum of 12 inches.
It is essential to know that not all Corgis are blessed with this height; some have very short legs. As such, are Corgis good with stairs?
Unfortunately, those Corgis with tiny and stocky legs will have huge problems getting used to going up the stairs.
So, before you bring your Corgi home, think about whether it will be able to overcome this obstacle.
Tips For Climbing Up The Stairs
Do Corgis have trouble with stairs? They might, but you can help them. Here are some valuable tips that can help if your Corgi has a problem with stairs.
Carry Your Corgi
In case your Corgi has really tiny legs that are simply not made for stairs, it is up to you to help carry it up.
I know this can be exhausting, but sometimes there is no other solution.
And if the upper part of the house is your private space – or something where pets aren’t allowed – you can just skip this tip and go to the next one.
Set Up A Small Gate
You’ve probably seen a lot of people use this, and in many cases, it’s not related to dogs but babies. Nevertheless, it has the same purpose – to prevent climbing stairs unsuccessfully and prevent possible injuries.
If you have both a child and a Corgi, this is like killing two birds with one stone. And even if you only have a Corgi, this is still a smart investment.
By setting up a small gate, you will prevent numerous injuries and extra costs.
Buying these gates can make you doubt is it bad for Corgis to use stairs, but don’t worry, you’re doing the right thing!
Keep The Essentials On The First Floor
The easiest way to avoid any injury or accident is to keep everything your Corgi needs on the first floor. That is as simple as it sounds.
Moving things down should not confuse you into thinking is it bad for Corgis to go up and down stairs. It’s just a smart move, that’s all.
Here are some of the things that should be on the first floor:
- Food
- Toys
- Water
- Dog bed
- Blankets
- Potty pads
- Grooming material
- Leashes
Sign Up For Pet Insurance
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict whether your Corgi will learn to go up and down the stairs properly. As I said a moment ago, accidents are inevitable and can cost you a small fortune.
Some owners who fear that their Corgi will have problems with climbing stairs sign up for pet insurance. That’s actually a wise thing to do and can save you a ton of money.
If you don’t sign up for this, and your Corgi ends up being extremely clumsy, count on losing all your savings pretty quickly.
Hip Dysplasia – A Real Danger
As I said recently, this topic needs to be fully addressed. Hip dysplasia is a disease that is common to many breeds, and your Corgi happens to be one of them.
This skeletal condition affects the hips of your dog. To be precise, the ball and the socket do not develop properly, disrupting other bones and the way your dog’s body moves.
What causes this?
Many crucial factors can contribute to the development of this disease – including too much exercise, improper diet, glucosamine in the blood, etc.
However, in 80% of cases, this disease is hereditary, and most Corgis will have this problem during their lifetime.
It’s unfortunate, but it’s just the way this breed is.
What Are The Symptoms?
In order to recognize this disease in time, it is essential to get acquainted with all possible symptoms. Here are some red flags you should pay attention to:
- Decreased activity and range of motion
- “Bunny hopping”
- Loss of muscle mass
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Limping
The final diagnosis is made by a complete physical examination with your vet. That is why it is always important not to skip these appointments!
How To Treat It?
The treatment depends on the severity of the case. Some of the possible methods include:
- Improvements in diet
- Exercising
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Surgery
Corgis & Stairs – Conclusion
We could learn a lot about can Corgis climb stairs from this. In general, Corgis are not bad with stairs if their legs are not too small. It is up to you to teach them how to go up and down without getting hurt, though.
If you are too scared, there are various methods you can use to prevent potential injuries.
The thing that is worrying and can pose a huge threat is hip dysplasia. However, this too can be resolved in time if you go to the vet regularly!
