Introduction and Human Demonstration
From How to Teach a Puppy to Go Up and Down Stairs · Step 5 of 7 · Video by Louis Rossmann
Showing 0:00–0:20 of the source video. Watch the full video with every moment.
What happens in this clip
The video opens with a small, fluffy puppy sitting cautiously on a set of blue-painted wooden stairs. The owner initiates the training by speaking to the puppy, offering verbal encouragement, and then physically demonstrating how to descend the stairs using their own hands and feet, moving down multiple steps quickly. The puppy observes from its position on the stairs.
Goal: Introduce the puppy to the task of descending stairs through observation and verbal encouragement.
What's used
Tools
- Wooden Stairs
About the full video
This video documents an owner's gentle attempts to teach a small, fluffy puppy how to descend a set of wooden stairs. The process involves encouragement, a human demonstration, luring with a treat, and offering physical support, ultimately concluding with the puppy being carried down and rewarded for its effort.
What's said in this clip
Okay, little puppy. Now, I gave you a demonstration. Okay? Remember how I got you up each step one at a time, and then I showed you how we go up the stairs when you have four legs? It's like this. Like, watch. Like this. Now, I need you to do the same thing. And I believe in you, little puppy. I know you can.
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)
- 0:00–0:20 Introduction and Human Demonstration (this video)
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.
Read the full guide Browse all guides
Planning this project? Shop Oak Valley Designs.
Subscribe for exclusive updates
Be the first to know about promotions, new products, and sales.