YSK How to use elevators and escalators with pets safely. Why YSK: Because it can be dangerous machinery especially when taken too lightly. I&#039;ve seen multiple posts just this week of people just letting their dogs and cats use escalators without any precautions. &quot;Going Up? Ride Elevators and Escalators Safely With Your Dog Is your dog one of the many that steer clear of elevators and escalators? Some safety tips and proper protocol measures can help you use these fixtures with a dog. You can also use some measures to help them handle scary stairs. Going up? Follow these tips to keep your dog safe. Elevators If you routinely use an elevator with your pet, make sure that they are wearing a breakaway collar. Always pay attention to your dog during the elevator ride, and do not become distracted by phones. Don&#039;t try to take an anxious dog in an elevator; take a brisk walk and return when they have calmed or go ahead and take the stairs.   Elevator Safety It is always safest to carry your dog in and out of the elevator, but if this is not possible, know how to safely navigate an elevator with your pet: Let people get off the elevator before you enter with your dog. Keep the leash taut and your dog close to your side. Lead your dog in the elevator while holding a door to prevent the elevator doors from shutting on your dog or their leash. Command your dog to sit in a corner of the elevator. Give your dog praise for calmly following elevator procedures. When getting off the elevator, again, touch the door to ensure it does not close on your dog or the leash. Wait until you are far from the elevator before loosening or lengthening the leash. Always keep a short leash while you are getting on, riding in, and getting off an elevator with a leashed pet. An elevator ride can become dangerous if the leash gets caught in the doors, as the leash could tighten against the dog&#039;s neck. Escalators Most dogs are nervous around an escalator, and escalators and moving sidewalks can be dangerous for dogs. Skip the escalator and opt for an elevator or the stairs instead when you are with your pet, or at the very least, carry your dog on to, off of, and during the escalator ride. Escalator Safety If you are going to let your pet use an escalator, teach them to hop over the ledge and lip on the beginning and end of the escalator. For optimal safety, only use the escalator when it is not too busy and keep the leash very taut throughout the experience. Model the small hop off the device so that the dog will also jump over the area where the steps are fed in the track of the escalator; again, keep your attention firmly focused on your pet during any use of an escalator to ensure they are safe and don&#039;t get their paws caught in the track&#039;s feed. Anxiety Around Stairs Many pet owners struggle with dogs that have a fear of stairs, particularly if the dog doesn&#039;t encounter or use steps regularly. To overcome a dog&#039;s apprehension or anxiety, be confident and calm when you approach the stairs and try to distract your dog when possible. Be patient and start small with just a few steps consistently; see your veterinary provider in San Diego to rule out any medical issue - like arthritic pain - that could be contributing to your pet&#039;s anxiety regarding stairs. Use these tips the next time you encounter an elevator, escalator, or decide to take the stairs with your canine. Make sure to always pay close attention to your pet during use of any of these fixtures to preserve their safety.&quot; From: <a rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" href="https://www.ssdpetvet.com/goingup-ride-elevatorsand-escalators-safelywithyour-dog#:~:text=Most%20dogs%20are%20nervous%20around,and%20during%20the%20escalator%20ride." target="_blank">https://www.ssdpetvet.com/goingup-ride-elevatorsand-escalators-safelywithyour-dog#:~:text=Most%20dogs%20are%20nervous%20around,and%20during%20the%20escalator%20ride.</a>