How to Train a Dog to Walk on Stairs

Many dogs learn to navigate stairs as young puppies and need no encouragement to bound up or down the staircase, but, for other dogs, the stairs can present a frightful obstacle that they would rather avoid than overcome. Training a dog to walk up and down stairs takes patience and encouragement from you. By using techniques that reward your dog and alleviate his anxiety, you can tackle the problem.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Treats
• Dog harness

1. Step 1

   Start young but not too young. Puppies are adventurous, and most will try to climb a step, but if they aren't steady enough, they could fall and become frightened of the stairs. By 8 weeks, most puppies are ready to start walking on the stairs with assistance.

2. Step 2

   Work from the bottom of the stairs to the top. It's easier for a dog to go up a step than it is to go down. Encourage your dog to come up one step at a time by placing a favorite treat on the step. Call him up with the treat as a lure and praise him, letting him have the treat when he comes up the stair.

3. Step 3

   Practice patience. If you have a dog that is leery of the stairs, lure him up one or two steps, praise him and let him go back down. He will gradually overcome his fear, but give the lesson time to sink in. Be prepared to carry your dog the rest of the way until he is comfortable going on his own.

4. Step 4

   Put a harness on your dog to train going down the stairs. A harness, as opposed to a collar, gives you more control of your dog and supports more of his body, making him feel more secure. Hold the end of the leash in your hand and walk down one or two steps. Turn and call your dog, but don't pull him. He'll take the step when he's ready. Reach forward and grab the top of his halter when he begins to descend while supporting and encouraging him.

5. Step 5

   Let a friend show the way. Not a human friend but an animal friend. If your dog resists walking on the stairs, even after you lure him with treats and praise, use a secret weapon--another dog. Dogs are pack animals in the wild, and they will follow a confident dog. Borrow a friend's dog and let the dogs play and get to know each other. When your dog seems comfortable, lead the other dog toward the staircase, calling for your dog to follow.

6. Step 6

   Make the steps a dinner table---for your dog, that is. Place his food bowl on the lowest stair and leave the room. After your dog becomes accustomed to eating on the bottom step, raise his bowl to the next step. Allow a few days to lapse before you raise his bowl another step to allow him to adjust gradually.

7. Step 7

   Play and cuddle on the stairs. Dogs love attention and petting. Sit on the first step and tickle your pooch. Move to the next step and do the same thing.