How to Train new Puppies to Climb the Stairs, Safely and Effectively!
You probably can’t recall your first experience in walking up the stairs when you were a child, neither can I. 
However if you are a parent of young children, I’m sure you remember the time you spent coaching your child in climbing up the stairs. You would hold one of her hands while she placed the other hand against the wall for support as you coax her to climbing one tiny step at a time. Your tone to her was always gentle and reassuring. Once she reached the destination (i.e. five steps of stairs), you would congratulate her with hugs and kisses, telling her how smart and brave she was. Chances she would want to do it again as her experience were unthreatening.
This is very similar to training new puppies to climb the stairs. The only difference is that puppies walk on four! So you can’t hold your new pup’s paw to guide him up the stairs.
While some claim using leash as the guiding hand has much higher successful rate, I personally don’t recommend using this method.
- Firstly, you don’t want too many distractions as new puppies aren’t used to collar and leash yet.
- Secondly, it’s for safety measure. If the leash is too long, it might cause an obstruction to the pup and yourself. As much as we want our new puppies to climb the stairs in a straight manner, most beginners usually zigzag their way up. And if the leash is too short, you might create discomfort around his neck than making it more pleasure for his amateur attempts.
Puppies are extremely curious creatures by nature. They will explore every corner of your home if there are no boundaries set (not a wise rule for new pups, this topic alone deserve another post on its own). In general, many puppies are afraid of stairs which normally means they do not know how to climb them properly.
Some puppies are more adventurous and have no difficulties in climbing the stairs without much supervision, while others need a little encouragement to do so.
Bite note: Do not introduce stairs climbing to puppies under 8 weeks of age.
Tips on how to Train Puppies to Climb the Stairs
Provide a favorable environment. Starting the training at home is much more pleasurable and safer compare to an outdoor unknown territory. Usually, homes have a wide stairway which will be less frightening to the puppy. (Remember the zigzag manner I said earlier?) Also, home staircase are generously and evenly spaced (giving the pup a firm ground on four before attempting the following step) as oppose to those steep stairs seen in parks and streets.
Build confidence from ground up. It is important to start off at the bottom of the stairs. No, mid flight of the stairs won’t do even it is spacious. Success comes from good foundation!
Lead by example. As a top dog, needless to say you have to go up the first step. That’s what leader of the packs does! Then encourage the puppy to join you, by using your gentle and assuring voice, food treats or his favorite toy.
Repetition, one step at a time. After the puppy has joined you on the first stair, go back down one step (ground level) using the same method as climbing up the stairs. Repeat the process until the puppy will go up and down that step on his own. Taking a one step at a time approach is the best way to teach your puppy not to be afraid of stairs.
It is very crucial to build confidence slowly and not rush the process. As with all my dog training tips go, the motto is to a KISSER – Keep It Short and Simple with Easy Repetitions!
Sep 13th 2006
4:42 AM
I liked your ” KISSER – Keep It Short and Simple with Easy Repetitions!” motto it really works with not only with puppies but also with mature well-trained dogs too, If you have to give them a new lesson.
Benji.
Sep 13th 2006
8:15 AM
Hi Benji,
Thank you for your comment. Yes, I agree. My KISSER motto is applicable for all dogs of all shapes, sizes and age.
Sep 12th 2007
5:14 AM
Hi There,
I have a minature dachshund puppy.. She’s actually almost 5 months old but she’s still can’t climb up the stairs in my house. The stairs are pretty wide and preety short. 3 – 4 steps. How do I teach my pup to climb the stairs. I really want to help her.
Also, my pup gets really anxious when she’s alone. How do I train her not to cry when she’s alone?
Sep 12th 2007
9:57 AM
Hi Andrew,
You’ve two interesting questions here. Since we’re on the Climbing Stairs post, I’ll share my views on your miniature dachshund puppy not climbing stairs question.
There are two possible reasons why your pup “can’t” climb stairs yet. Due to their (extremely) short legs, it does take a considerable amount of effort for dachshunds to climb those stairs. Secondly, she’s indeed very young. Give her some time to be around the stairs. She doesn’t need to climb those steps whenever she’s near any stairs.
Another reason she “can’t” climb those steps is that there is no motivation for her to do so. If she’s to climb 4 steps to go for a walk (which most dogs love to) or get to her meal (most dogs are motivated by food), then she’d eventually learn to overcome those 4 steps. So find what motivates her.
Another effective method is introducing her to more playmates like puppy kindergarten classes or playdates. Young puppies have yet to fully develop their Alpha status, so they’re most likely to follow the Alpha dog. So find a place where they are exposed to steps. It doesn’t have to be a set number of steps for her to practice; even it is only one step, that will do for now.
Hope this helps.
Jan 16th 2008
5:01 PM
Hi Renee,
I have an 8 month old labrador retriever. He is still a puppy mentally, but big enough to walk up stairs. He does 3-5 stairs at a time no problem, and even jumps into our SUV fine. But when it comes to 10-15 stairs, he freaks out and won’t budge. I’m thinking it may be a depth perception thing – looking up all of those stairs may seem scary – but I don’t know how to get him to go up. I’ve put treats on every single step and tried to coax him with gentle words, but nothing. I don’t want to use a leash b/c I think his instincts will kick in and he’ll just buckle down. He’s too heavy for me to carry up more than a few steps, so I don’t know what to do at this point.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Katie
Jan 16th 2008
10:06 PM
Hello Katie,
You’re absolute right on the depth perception thing. Could you tell me more about the 10-15 stairs, like where are these stairs at? Home or outdoor (unfamiliar setting)? And when he does effortlessly on 3-5 stairs, was it in all settings? Both up and down with no qualms?
If the latter question is so, have you ever tried the reverse method on 10-15 stairs? Instead of walking up, try walking down. Usually I don’t recommend this approach to first-timers but since your young lab has already some experiences with stairs. If this is still a challenge to him, try something in between like 7-9 steps.
In addition, it seems that your lab isn’t motivated by food or maybe not that treat you offered. Big job requires big gun, so bring out those really SPECIAL treats or toy or event or person or playmate. If you try to think from your dog’s perspective “What’s in for me when I get there?” you’ll be amazed of how many more creative methods you can come out to get the result you wanted.
Try these methods and see how he progresses.
Jan 17th 2008
10:12 PM
Hey Renee,
Thanks so much for your advice! I am planning on trying the walking-down-the-stairs method tomorrow after work. My pup is taking his usual before bedtime nap, ha, so I’ll let him rest before our big practice session tomorrow.
I’ll keep you and everyone else posted in case other owners of big dogs are having the same problem.
Thanks again!
Katie
PS: The National Geographic Channel has a program on Friday nights at 9 pm called “Dogtown”. It’s a documentary on a wonderful shelter in Utah called Best Friend’s Sanctuary. My friend’s dog is being showcased tomorrow night, she’s allergic to humans!
Jan 17th 2008
10:53 PM
Thank you Katie for being thoughtful!
What a pity, I don’t subscribe to cable. And I’m beginning to like your friend already base on similar allergy!