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Originally Posted by bren  I taught both Max and Abbie to use the stairs. I taught them to go up first. I put them on the bottom step, then put a tiny treat on the next step. When they went up the one step I put a treat on the next step up. I continued until they stopped or got to the top. Once they mastered up, then I did the same going down but I started at the bottom rather than at the top. I put them on the 2nd step from the bottom and put the treat on the bottom step. When they went down the step, they got the treat and TONS of verbal praise. Then I gradually put them on the next step higher, then the next and the next. They were going up and down the steps in no time. Abbie was about 3 1/2 months old and Max was 4 months old. Keep in mind, though, that Max and Abbie are larger yorkies (my little teapots  .) They were not 1-3 lbs when I taught them this so they weren't extremely fragile. They were both 5-6 lbs when I taught them to use the stairs. |
Treats are an excellent motivator to do steps. i believe i used them too when morgan was first starting. i put her on the third step from the bottom a couple times and threw a treat on the floor. that made her little butt go hoping on down to get it. Also worked for going up the steps. And it worked when teaching her to use the ramp to get on and off the bed.