Initiate Puppy Stair Training (Descending)
From How to Teach a Puppy to Go Up and Down Stairs · Step 5 of 7 · Video by Peter Caine Dog Training
Showing 0:00–2:13 of the source video. Watch the full video with every moment.
What happens in this clip
Begin by assessing the puppy's hesitation at the top of the stairs. Do not allow the puppy to sit or 'mull it over.' Instead, use a leash to gently but firmly guide the puppy forward. The instructor physically pulls the leash to initiate movement, providing continuous verbal encouragement and praise as the puppy starts to descend the steps. The goal is to move the puppy down the stairs without prolonged hesitation.
Goal: This step demonstrates how to encourage a puppy to descend stairs, focusing on gentle guidance with a leash and positive reinforcement, rather than allowing hesitation.
What's used
Tools
- Collar
- Leash
Materials
- Treats (optional)
About the full video
This video provides instructions on how to train a puppy to confidently navigate stairs and learn basic commands like 'sit' using proper leash and collar techniques. The instructor emphasizes consistent leadership, appropriate equipment choice, and understanding canine psychology over human emotional responses during training.
What's said in this clip
oh when you first get your puppy home man i don't care if it's a seven week old puppy you can get him to start going up and down the steps that's important so bowser hesitated at the bottom steps but then came right up no problem but now he's hesitating at the top and doesn't want to go down the step good that way you can see what i'm going to do here and what i'm going to do is sort of like just sort of bring them along you know don't let the puppy sit there and like you know mull it over no we're going down the steps you'll be okay just sort of bring the dog on with the leash and be done with it do you see what i'm saying you don't know how many times it's a six month old dog and i'm training them to go up and down the steps don't get wrapped up into the emotional state of the dog because the dog's emotional state is nothing like the emotional state of a human okay see bows he's being good so let's let's get him to go down the steps we're not we're not gonna sit here and plead with them i'm just going to be come on bounce come on come on buddy see how i don't want to go come on buddy here here come on there you go you got it you got it come on there you go come on buddy come on let's go come on mouse come on you got it you got it come on there you go you got it come on brother come on come on guys there you go you got it come on come on buddy there you go come on come on bowser come on buddy there you go good boy good boy come on battles come on come on you got it balls come on bowser you got it come on so see just just get him walking see his tail's up it's wagging he's picking it up it's about 10 steps and he's sort of got it do you see what i'm saying see he's walking down the steps good boy bowser come on you got it dude come on brother come on little bowser come on you got it dude there you go good boy good boy there you go good boy yes that's a good boy see now next time there won't be any hesitation or if there's a little hesitation it'll be less he did it
Automatically transcribed from the source video.
Step 5 of 7: Introduce Descent
Teaching descent is often more challenging than ascent for puppies. Start at the top of the first step. Encourage your puppy to look down and then gently guide them to step down one step. Reward them for any movement towards descending. You might need to sit on the step below them and coax them down with treats. Go extremely slowly, rewarding each small success. Some puppies may benefit from you physically supporting them slightly from behind as they learn to balance on the way down.
Every video in How to Teach a Puppy to Go Up and Down Stairs
Step 1: Assess Puppy's Readiness
- 0:00–0:05 Assess Dog's Comfort with Stairs
- 8:08–10:04 Apply Consistent Training Principles
Step 2: Positive Association with Stair Base
- 5:23–7:00 Reinforce Stair Navigation (Up & Down)
- 0:01–0:07 Build Positive Association and Familiarity
- 0:07–0:10 Guide and Reinforce Stair Descent
Step 3: Introduce One Step
- 8:08–10:04 Apply Consistent Training Principles
Step 4: Step-by-Step Ascent
- 5:23–7:00 Reinforce Stair Navigation (Up & Down)
- 0:07–0:10 Guide and Reinforce Stair Descent
- 8:08–10:04 Apply Consistent Training Principles
Step 5: Introduce Descent
- 0:05–0:25 Encourage and Guide Down the Stairs
- 0:00–2:13 Initiate Puppy Stair Training (Descending) (this video)
- 0:00–0:20 Introduction and Human Demonstration
Step 6: Full Stair Navigation Practice
- 5:23–7:00 Reinforce Stair Navigation (Up & Down)
- 0:00–2:13 Initiate Puppy Stair Training (Descending)
- 0:07–0:10 Guide and Reinforce Stair Descent
Step 7: Fade Treats and Generalize
- 0:01–0:07 Build Positive Association and Familiarity
- 0:25–0:30 Reinforce and Celebrate Success
- 0:00–2:13 Initiate Puppy Stair Training (Descending)
How to Teach a Puppy to Go Up and Down Stairs
A high-level outline for teaching a puppy to safely navigate stairs, focusing on positive reinforcement and gradual exposure.
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