Step 7 · Fade Treats and Generalize

As your puppy becomes confident and consistent with stair navigation, start to phase out the treats. Reward them intermittently instead of every single time. Use enthusiastic verbal praise and petting as the primary reward. Practice at different times of the day and in varying light conditions to help your puppy generalize the skill. Introduce very minor, controlled distractions (e.g., a quiet toy on a landing) to ensure they can still navigate safely when not perfectly focused on the task.