How to Train Your Older Dog to Use Stairs

Bring him over to the foot of the stairs. Then sit on the first step and hold out a treat. You’re going to slowly tempt him up the steps and show him how to get back down. The trick is not to rush.

Call his name in a high pitched voice to encourage him to join you on the first step. You can hold the treat right up to his face and pat your legs as well. It may take a little while, but keep tempting him until he comes up onto the step with you.

As soon as he clambers up or puts his paws on the step, hand over the treat. You can also shower him in verbal praise. The greater the reward, the more eager he will be to do it again. Once you’ve given him the reward, go back to the bottom.

Once you’re both at the bottom, you can lure him up to the second step. Follow the same technique, sit on the second step and hold out a treat to tempt him. Keep encouraging him and hold out a hand to support him if needs be. Give him the treat when he joins you, then slowly head down again.

Only do the first two or three steps in the first day. Then the next day you can go a couple of steps higher. Then the day after that, go for two more. Keep going until he is comfortable walking all the way up and down. Once he is, you can slowly phase out the treats.

Head to the stairs with your mature dog by your side. Now, with him watching, create a trail of treats up the stairs. Place one on the edge of each step, where it is visible. Then head to the top of the stairs.

You probably won’t need to say anything, the sight of the treats will quickly give him the confidence to start climbing. However, if he doesn’t, start giving him encouragement and motivation. Call his name and point to the treats. Be patient, it may take a while for him to make his way up to you.

Once he’s successfully made it to the top and eaten all the treats, you need to show him how to get back down. So, create another trail, with a treat on every step again.

Rather than heading to the bottom of the steps, just stand a couple of steps below him and encourage him. He’s more likely to fall on the way down so you need to be there to support him and catch him if he slips. Having you close by will also help him relax and take the plunge.

Practice this technique every day until he’s got the hang of it. Depending on the bravery and difficulty of your stairs, you may find it takes just a few days for him to look relaxed on the steps. When he is confident, you can slowly cut out the treats.

Spend a few minutes each day playing with a specific toy. Play tug of war, fetch and really get him worked up. You want this toy to send him into overdrive as soon as he sees it. You’re going to use this to motivate him.

Now place a scent marker at the top and bottom of the steps. Get them online and they can be so discreet you barely notice they are there. But what they will do is help your dog to know when he’s approaching the bottom and top steps. This is particularly useful as older dogs' eyesight tends to diminish.

Now take your game of tug of war to the bottom step. But this time, use the toy to slowly pull him up a couple of steps. He should be so excited by playing with the toy that he doesn’t even realize he’s climbed a couple of steps. Then sit on the step and play with him for a minute.

Once he’s relaxed and comfortable, use the toy to slowly lure him back down the steps. Make sure you are there with a hand in case he stumbles or falls. Any slips could knock his confidence and push back the end result.

This time, use the toy to lure him up a couple more steps. Then spend a minute or so there, putting him at ease, then head back down again. Continue doing this each day, getting slightly higher each time. Once he’s comfortable leaping up and down the steps in search of the toy, training is complete!