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How To Train a Dog To Go Down Stairs in 8 Simple Steps

Gregory Iacono

By Gregory Iacono

dog in stairs

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Dr. Paola Cuevas

MVZ (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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For a dog that’s never used stairs, going down a flight of stairs can be challenging and cause them more than a little anxiety. That’s particularly true for smaller dogs, senior dogs, and puppies, for which a flight of stairs can be daunting. If the stairs are too narrow, even large dogs can have a problem going down them. That’s no fun for your dog or for you and your family, all of whom want your playful pooch to be able to go where they want without hesitation or fear.

If your precious pup has difficulty negotiating the stairs in your home, the information below will be very helpful. We’ll show you how to train a dog to go downstairs in 8 simple steps. Also, we’ll answer some common questions about why stairs are so frustrating and difficult for some dogs.

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The 8 Steps to Train Your Dog to Go Down Stairs

There are several methods to train a dog how to go downstairs. The one below is one of the most straightforward. It involves a lot of treats, and if your dog is battling a weight condition, be sure to make them small.

1. Start your dog on the first step.

Place your dog on the bottom step of a flight of steps, reassuring them that everything is okay. Have a treat ready so they realize there’s a reward involved. Once they are focused on you, hold the treat where they can only get to it if they climb down one step. Most dogs should easily be able to handle one step.


2. Give a reward after they’ve moved from the first step back to the floor.

Once your dog moves down from the first step to the floor, give them their treat and lots of praise. Perform this step four or five times a day for 2 or 3 days.

Dog Stairs With Built-In Storage, From HGTV
Photo Credit: HGTV

3. Place your dog on the second step.

Move your dog up to the 2nd step on the staircase, and make them climb to it on their own if they can. With a treat at the ready, hold it at the bottom, and, when your dog climbs down the two steps, reward them. Like Step 2, repeat this step for a few days, several times a day


4. Add more steps, one at a time, over several days.

Every time they negotiate the new number of steps, give your dog a treat and more praise. If they get hung up on a certain stair due to fear, stick to that stair for a few days until your pup feels confident going higher.


5. Change the treat or reward.

At this point, your dog might be less enthusiastic about the treats they’re getting. If that’s the case, change it up, or change the reward completely. For example, take them for a walk or give your dog their favorite toy for coming down the stairs. Whatever you can do, hold their attention, and let them know you’re proud of their efforts.

a Labrador dog getting heart shaped cookie treat
Photo Credit: Maya Shustov, Shutterstock

6. Start your dog at the top of the stairs and wait for them at the bottom with their treat, toy, or reward.

For this, it might be helpful to have two people: one at the top of the stairs and another at the bottom. Both of you can provide reassurance that everything is okay and give praise when your dog gets down the stairs successfully.


7. Repeat the process.

Repeat the process and, if needed, go back and repeat the first steps if your dog still has anxiety or apprehension. If your dog gets hung up at a particular step, go back and start there again until they get over their fear.


8. Practice the entire flight of stairs without rewards or treats.

This step would again be best with two people. However, one person will be fine if your dog does well and gets down the stairs with little problems or trepidation.


Bonus Tip

Now that your dog has mastered getting down the stairs, reward yourself for a job well done. Have an adult beverage, treat yourself to a nice meal, whatever you like. You earned it for your hard work and diligence in training your dog.

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At What Age Can Puppies Start To Climb Stairs?

Dogs are social animals, even as puppies. When faced with a flight of stairs between them and their humans, many will try to climb them. Smaller breeds will have more of a challenge simply because of their size. Larger breeds may have just as many challenges due to awkwardness, inexperience, and huge paws. However, the average puppy will physically be able to start climbing stairs at about 12 to 16 weeks of age.

Many in the canine community believe puppies shouldn’t climb or descend stairs at all. Puppies are born with hips made of cartilage, not bone. Cartilage is much easier to damage than bone, and climbing steps is a good way to do it. Not only is it painful for your pup, but it can also cause a life-long, painful hip problem known as hip dysplasia. For that reason, many dog experts recommend training your puppy to go down (and up) the stairs only after they’ve passed the 3 months of age.

english cocker spaniel puppy on stairs
Photo Credit: Switlana Sonyashna, Shutterstock

Why Won’t My Dog Go Down Stairs?

Some dogs, for whatever reason, have problems going down a flight of stairs. You can train most dogs with this unnatural fear to overcome it, but occasionally you’ll find a good dog who simply refuses to go downstairs. There are several reasons why this might happen. Not surprisingly, fear is the first, but it’s often a deep fear caused by traumatic events like an accident or abuse.

An older dog that might have once easily gone up and down the steps might not go anymore due to aging joints and the pain they cause. They might also have vision loss, preventing them from seeing well enough to climb and descend the staircase. Even if their joints and vision are fine, older dogs, unfortunately, get weaker and, at some point, won’t have the strength to climb stairs.

Why Does My Dog Walk Sideways Up the Stairs?

Does your precocious pet walk up the stairs in an odd, sideways manner, with their back legs looking almost disconnected because they’re off to the side? They get up and down the stairs just fine, but how they do it is… unusual. If that sounds like your pup, they’re doing something veterinarians have named “crabbing.” You’ll be glad to know crabbing is quite common and, for most dogs, it’s nothing to worry about.

It might look odd, but if your dog is otherwise healthy and happy, their funny way of walking the stairs is just another fascinating part of the pet parent experience.

Why Is My Dog Tripping on the Stairs So Much?

If your dog knows how to climb and descend the stairs but starts to trip, stumble, and fall more often, that could be a sign of serious problems, such as hip dysplasia. Suddenly falling more on the stairs could also be a sign you need to change the surface of your stairs. If, for example, you pulled up the carpet and switched over to hardwood steps, that could be causing the issue.

If the hardwood has always been there, check your pup’s claws (nails) to see if they need to be clipped. Long claws can cause dogs to slip on the hardwood.

chi-spaniel on stairs
Image Credit: 0jadon0, Shutterstock

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Final Thoughts

How to train a dog to go downstairs, as we’ve seen today, is challenging but, in most cases, very doable. Yes, you’ll find the occasional dog that won’t go down a staircase no matter what, and some that won’t climb them, either. Most dogs will learn to use stairs quickly with a bit of guidance, a little patience, and of course, treats!

We hope the information we’ve provided today was exactly what you were looking for and wish you the best of luck training your dog to get down and up the stairs.

 

Featured Image Credit: susanne906, Pixabay

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