How to Get a New Puppy That's Afraid of Stairs to Go Down Them

If your puppy is afraid of the stairs, this is a situation that can quickly lead to frustration or even injury if your puppy balks when you do not expect him to. Your puppy might have fallen down the stairs when he was young or he might have been scolded for approaching them at some point. If your puppy is afraid of stairs, it is imperative that you help your puppy overcome this fear and blossom into a mature and functional dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
  • Food bowl
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Introduce your puppy to the stairs by sitting on them and encouraging him to approach. Your puppy wants to be near you, and this helps quell his fear of going down the stairs.

    • 2

      Lure him down the stairs by placing a treat on a stair step below him. Show him the treat, and encourage him to reach down for the step.

    • 3

      Coax your puppy down the steps further and further, working every day for a few weeks. Repetition is key, and the more frequently you work on helping your puppy down the stairs, the more comfortable your puppy will be.

    • 4

      Place the puppy's food bowl at the bottom of the stairs and encourage him to approach the bowl on his own when it is feeding time. Do this only after the puppy has become reasonably brave about the stairs.