Dogs can be very particular about the type of stairs they are willing to use. Various types of stairs can be challenging for dogs to negotiate. Dogs typically avoid metal stairs or stairs with open risers. Dogs may dislike a shadowy staircase. Make sure the stairs are well lit for your dog. Get down on your dog’s level and look at the stairs (both top and bottom) from your dog’s perspective.

For more training tips about dogs and stairs, watch this video! In this video, I give you training tips and demonstrations for dogs who zoom past you on the stairs and for dogs who are nervous about the stairs.