How to teach a puppy to go down stairs
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, July 14, 2025
It’s a curious thing watching a five-week-old American Dirus™ puppy face its first step.
Not the symbolic “first step” a human toddler takes with cheers and a camera roll of celebration, but a literal one.
A bold, terrifying, reality-bending, gravity-defying step… down.
Yes, down.
To a sensitive, thinking type of dog, this descent is no small feat.
When those brave little front paws reach downward, their rear end launches upward.
The very ground beneath them seems to shift.
This moment, my friends, is what we call a puppy leap of faith.
And unlike many breeds that charge first and question later, American Dirus™ dogs don’t play that game.
These pups are thinkers.
They watch.
They weigh the odds.
And they wonder.
And most of all, they seek guidance from those they trust most: their pack leaders.
The Happy Days litter puppies are now five weeks old.
At this tender age, our puppies are still learning how their feet even work.
They don’t just wake up knowing how to navigate their world.
No, their brains are still mapping out how far is too far, how high is too high, and which surfaces are stable enough to trust.
But don’t be fooled.
This isn't just stair training; this is trust training.
A confidence building exercise.
Early scaffolding for what it means to rely on your human companion when the ground below looks uncertain.
Step One: Build Confidence with Controlled Movement
Before we ever bring in a staircase, we’ve already laid the groundwork (quite literally) in the den. Last week, we introduced tunnels and wobble boards. These moving, shifting items help a young pup learn to adjust their footing, balance on the go, and trust their body. It’s gentle exposure to uncertainty with safety baked in.
This week, we add a new structure: a Kuranda Bed.
This raised surface creates a mini-step effect that introduces puppies to the sensation of uneven terrain.
Front feet descend while back feet stay elevated.
This is an entirely novel body position for a five-week-old pup.
And oh, the confusion it can bring!
Some puppies may overjump and land on their nose.
Others may topple head over heels.
But all of the little ones will learn, bit by bit.
With each try, it is our job to offer joyful praise.
We can use verbal encouragement, soft rubs, and our most cheerful tone.
We're not just helping them physically.
We're also helping their spirit.
Step Two: One Step at a Time
Once they’ve gotten the hang of the Kuranda Bed, we introduce a real step.
A small one.
Just enough to cause them to pause and think, “Hmm… that’s a bit lower than I thought it would be.”
And that pause?
That’s pure gold.
Because thinking dogs like the American Dirus™ puppies don’t just follow momentum.
They need to believe it’s safe.
They’re not reckless.
Instead, they’re intentional.
And intention takes trust.
With one or two baby steps, we invite them to stretch their mind and body to cooperate in new ways.
Each additional step you add is not just a height change… it’s a neurological challenge.
Puppies must now consciously coordinate where their rear paws go.
Normally, those back paws follow the front automatically.
But now those back paws must move independently, in sequence, and with purpose.
This is brain training dressed up as playtime.
NOTE: Don’t forget: A five-week-old puppy’s eyes are still fine-tuning their ability to see depth. Their visual world is a little foggy, a little flat. So while it may seem like just one more stair to you, it looks like a chasm to them.
We don’t push.
We lead.
So here’s your pack-leader checklist:
- Start with controlled movement: tunnels, wobble boards, and the Kuranda bed.
Praise generously. Cheer like their favorite cheerleader.
Introduce steps slowly—one at a time.
Watch body coordination develop with each new challenge.
Respect their vision limitations. Don’t expect sharp precision just yet.
Most of all—be your puppy’s guide, not their judge.
Every time you help a pup master a new physical skill, you’re building the bones of your future relationship.
You’re not just raising a dog who can navigate stairs, but you’re also raising a thinking companion who knows their human always leads them true.
That’s the way of the American Dirus™ dog.
Not to charge into the unknown, but to seek, watch, learn, and trust the one who holds the leash.
In today’s Movie Monday, you’ll be able to experience the Happy Days litter puppies taking their first leaps from their newly introduced Kuranda® Bed.
They want to explore it, but their little tushies don’t quite make it up onto the Kuranda® bed all by themselves yet, so I had to help them.
It was very fun to see how each puppy tackled the new challenge.
Here’s the link for today’s Movie Monday:
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P.S. If you also like my favorite dog bed, I was able to convince the company to give our Inner Circle members 15% off if you purchase using the following link:
https://kuranda.com?partner=27312
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.