If you have decided to get a set of pet steps for your dog, you will need to deal with the training aspect.  Dogs who have never been exposed to steps, for one reason or another, need some time to get used to them.  Even if they had experience with steps earlier in life, relearning the process for an older and partially disabled dog can be trying.

With a ramp, the best option is to extend the structure to its maximum length in order to reduce the angle.  For steps, you will need to consider your dog’s abilities before purchase.  The worst thing you can do is get a tread that is too high for your dog to manage comfortably because it will just make use more difficult.  If you are purchasing steps for an animal that has arthritis a longer set of shallow steps is much easier for them to negotiate.

If you can lift your pet, place them near the top of the staircase and place a food reward at the top.  Encourage them to climb up and get the treat.  When they succeed, praise them appropriately.  Just like with small children, steps can be intimidating for a dog.  Looking up the staircase is more intimidating than looking down.

Once your pet has managed one step, let them try two.  Each time they climb the step and get the food, place another bit of food higher up.  You can effectively make a path of food for them to follow to the top. 

Encourage them with each effort and in a very short time they will be using the steps successfully.  Until they master the technique stay very close by and make sure they don’t fall off the steps.  If you desire, add a command word to associate with the process, a very useful thing if you plan to use the steps to have your dog climb into a car.

Now that your pet has managed up, it is time to start the training for down.  Since one of the main reasons you get stairs is to prevent strain on an older dog’s joints, you don’t want them to start jumping down.  Using the same food motivation, you can train your dog to come down the steps, one at a time, in a leisurely pace.  Once you have accomplished this goal, your training is complete, and it is time to start removing the food reward and instead letting praise be the trophy of choice.

Training your animal to use pet steps is no more difficult than any other type of training.  It takes some perseverance, a bit of patience, and some really yummy rewards.  Dogs naturally want to please their owners, so as long as you are willing to do some work, they will learn how to climb and descend using the stairs.  It helps to remember that your goal is to make life more pleasant for your dog.  Take a look online and pick the best set for your home and your pet. 

Shop discount pet mall for great products like Garmin Astro, Garmin Astro 220, and dog stairs.