Training a Labradoodle to Go Up & Down Stairs

In the world of designer dog breeds, the Labradoodle is a popular choice. This family-friendly companion dog combines the best characteristics of the Labrador retriever and the standard poodle. A medium to large dog, the Labradoodle is friendly, energetic and intelligent, making it easily trainable. Training a Labradoodle to go up and down stairs is important. For puppies, stair training decreases the chance of injury, and for adult dogs, stair training helps for those that have never encountered stairs or have a fear of them.

  1. Early Exposure

    • For Labradoodle puppies, early exposure is key to training on the stairs. You want your puppy to be familiar and gain the experience necessary to navigate the stairs. Introduce your Labradoodle puppy to the stairs starting at 16 weeks old. However, training a Labradoodle to go up and down stairs can occur at any age. If you're adopting an adult dog that has never had an experience with stairs or one that has fear or anxiety over stairs, training is still possible. Expose your Labradoodle to stairs as soon as possible to increase positive associations.

    Warnings

    • While early stair exposure is recommended for Labradoodles, you don̵7;t want to introduce young puppies to stairs too early. Puppies shouldn't be allowed to go up and down stairs before 16 weeks, as their muscles, joints and bones are still developing, and injuries can occur. If your Labradoodle puppy is under one year, never leave it to navigate or play on the stairs alone. Accidents and injuries, such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysfunction, can occur if the dog is allowed to run up and down stairs or play near stairs without supervision.

    Methods

    • To train your Labradoodle to go up and down the stairs, build a positive association. Turn stair training into a game with treats and rewards. Verbal praise and positive reinforcement are highly recommended for successful training. Start at the bottom of the stairs and train your Labradoodle to climb up the stairs before climbing down. Work with one step, using a treat to coax the dog to climb the step. Gradually and slowly build your Labradoodle̵7;s confidence, working with one step at a time and slowly adding more steps. When your dog feels confident going up the stairs, use treats to teach your Labradoodle to go down the stairs.

    Considerations

    • Remember that training your Labradoodle to go up and down the stairs is a form of exercise. Due to the high-energy nature of the Labradoodle, consider other exercise that the dog is getting throughout the day, in addition to stair training. This will prevent you from overexercising your Labradoodle. If your dog has trouble going up and down stairs, always consult your veterinarian to rule out any medical problems. If you rule out medical conditions but your dog still has problems navigating the steps, anxiety may be the cause. Never rush your dog into stair training, as this can produce further anxiety. It may take a few weeks for your dog to become comfortable. Positive encouragement and reinforcement will encourage advancement in training.