Help with old dog

[Pebble101]

I am looking after my parents elderly Labrador (13) while they are away. He hates walking over our tiled kitchen floor (or any tiled floor). He has been like this with slippery floors for about 4 years but has been getting worse - we have solved this by putting mats down (although it took him about half an hour to brave it). He is now getting worried about going up and down stairs (also started doing this at my parents as well). He has been to the vet recently about this and he is slightly deaf, has slight cataracts and doesn't seem to be in pain so isn't on painkillers.

He has gone up my stairs and is now scared to come down. They are darker than at my parents house but he has been coming here all his life and never had a problem before. When he gets like this I can't move him and he shivers like mad. I am waiting for my husband to come home to help me but I am wondering the best way to do it. I thought we could put a towel under him and lift him, but should I cover his eyes?

It was his first night here last night and he barked during the night because I think he wanted company. He isn't a dog that barks normally, only when very excited. As a background this is the first time he has been here and on his own since they had their other dog PTS two months ago.

I think he might be getting a bit senile but his behaviour at all other times is normal, he still enjoys his walks and trots around happily sniffing (although walks kept to several shorter rather than a long one). He still eats as normal and loves company and always greets us happily.

Anyway the main point of this post is suggestions to get him down the stairs - they will be blocked to him for the rest of the week

 

[Pebble101]

Problem sorted - OH lifted him up and carried him down (difficult with our narrow cottage stairs). He is now lying snoring happily at our feet

 

[Sandstone1]

If there are two of you the best way might be to use a towel as a sling and put it under his back end. One person holds and supports the sling. The other person guides his front end down the stairs so he walks his front legs down and you support the back end.
If not you might have to carry him down but depending how big he is this might be difficult.
Good luck hope he's ok.

Ops! Just saw your last post! Glad it's sorted

 

[{97702}]

Problem sorted - OH lifted him up and carried him down (difficult with our narrow cottage stairs). He is now lying snoring happily at our feet

Ah bless - not an easy situation to deal with, elderly dogs can be a lot more trying than puppies sometimes He sounds rather like my oldest greyhound who is a similar age - she tends to bark when she wants to go out (which can be a tad infuriating at 4am!) but also seems to bark randomly on occasions - I think it is senility with her, although like your parents' labrador she is very happy in herself and has an excellent quality of life

In those circumstances I would have to admit I would have probably grabbed him by the collar and persuaded him down the stairs gently, but I'm glad your OH was able to help

 

[Pebble101]

In those circumstances I would have to admit I would have probably grabbed him by the collar and persuaded him down the stairs gently, but I'm glad your OH was able to help

They are worrying aren't they

I tried to persuade him but he was shivering like a jelly and he was so stressed. Mind you he didn't appreciate being carried down either but it was over in less than 30 seconds and he was very happy to be down. I did have a towel to put under him but we didn't resort to that.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Sounds a lot like my 13 year old, very reluctant to go upstairs but still battles on. Mine falls over trying to do tight turns, bless him, still brings me bloody pigeons.