Health & WellbeingWe purchased "pet stairs" to help our dog get on our new bed which is much higher than our previous bed. Although we have stairs in our home which she bounds up and down constantly and easily, she doesn't seem to "get" the pet stairs. I've tried br
This is a very common problem! Most dogs have to be taught how to use the stairs at first. I would recommend going very slowly, and using treats to reward her for each tiny step in the right direction. So instead of putting treats on the stairs, if this is too challenging for her, start by putting a treat on the very first step so she can eat it easily. Do this several times. Then, try holding the treat in your hand and luring her nose up and forward, to see if she'll put a single paw on the first step - praise and let her have the treat as soon as she does. If this is too hard for her, give her the treat just for lifting her front paw - then work up from there. The key is to break it down into tiny steps that are manageable for her. Do short sessions (no more than 3-5 minutes at a time) several times a day. If you're still having trouble, consider calling a good reward-based trainer to come and get you started on the right track. You can search for a qualified trainer in
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Become a credit card member today!
