Not like stairways, but steps onto a bed. See, my dog is a dachshund and he jumps onto my bed to sleep with me. I have steps and have tried getting him to use them. He’s old, over ten, and I don’t want him to hurt his back, although he does seem happy and healthy still.
I’ve tried luring him with treats on the steps but he just eats them, backs down, and jumps.
If you have ever managed to do this can you give me advice?
I’m not sure I understand your dog’s progression with the training. You mentioned that you are, “luring him with treats on the steps but he just eats them, backs down, and jumps.” Are you saying he eats the treat while still on the steps and backs down before getting on the bed or does he get on the bed, eat the treat and then jumps off?
Luring and praise, in stages. Do not think of the whole goal, think of incremental progress, and not letting him rush or jump. If necessary use a leash to keep him from jumping.
I would start with him going DOWN the steps, as this is harder for dogs, and much harder for short-legged dogs. Put him with his rear legs on the bottom step and his front legs on the floor and feed him treats only while he stays in that position. When he can do this consistently, put his front feet on the first step and his rear on the second, with treats for staying there, and for stepping down. Work backward slowly in stages until he can step down one step and stop for a treat and then another, stop for a treat. until he’s on the ground. Going up will be much easier. Lure him up with treats and then feed him ON the bed. Keep practicing going down the steps with rewards and praise until it’s very comfortable for him.
Do you also put treats on the bed right at the top of the steps? And then a few more further in?
We’ve trained our dogs to use a ramp getting on and off our pontoon boat. Using a favorite treat and luring the dog along, praising as you go. With the ramp we begin with it flat on the ground. Train the dog to walk the ramp until the dog is proficient. Then raise one end up on a brick. Work until proficient. Eventually the ramp’s angle is no big deal.
With stairs in place of a ramp is it possible to start training with the stairs leading somewhere other than the bed?
One of the things I remember from training is “don’t train by giving a command you can’t enforce.” Which is why we did recall (“come”) training on a long leash. It’s one thing to tell your dog to come and they veer off and don’t come, but if they’re on a long leash you can guide them to you even if they veer off and ultimately they do come to your side.
So, put the little guy on a leash and guide him up the steps. Give it a command like “steps!” - make sure it’s different than something you already use such as “up” for jumping.
Also, put pillows along the edge of the bed so he CANNOT jump up. If he wants on the bed there’s only one path - the steps.
We got a ramp for the dachshunds we’ve had. We have the Doggo one.
Thanks for the replies and all the ideas. I just don’t want Mauser to hurt his back.
IME, weight management is a huge deal for this.
ETA: Thanks @ZipperJJ for the ramp suggestion! (IIRC)
Alternative - wedge wide strips of cardboard between the mattress and box spring to block jumping.
Although enough dedicated teaching to use the steps through treats should eventually work.
Oh, and our current doxie sleeps on my sisters’ bed, and she got one of those child rails that she covers with blankies. Works pretty well.
It’s a great ramp! But IMHO it’s way too big for a bedroom.
I just recently put it back in my car for my “new” dogs who are starting to get up in age to where my previous dog was when I bought it for her.
Thanks for that link. We don’t need one right now, but when our last dog was getting old all we could find were plastic ramps/steps that would bend from her 40lbs despite being rated for 75lbs and did not have non slip surfaces. Heck, I’m thinking of going ahead and ordering one now and just keep it until we need it.
Great customer service, too. My sister accidentally tripped and fell on it full force. One of the smaller supports broked, and they immediately sent out a replacement part.
We recently trained our 10-year old dog to use steps. There’s lots of food advice here already.
We started going up, because being on the bed is a prize by itself. We put a treat on each step and a few on the bed the first few times, then started leading her up the steps with a treat in our hand. Once she had that down, we’d lead her down with a treat.
It took a week of daily training to get her comfortable enough to do it on her own, so be patient.
Again, thanks to all for the tips!
One more: don’t train up and down at the same time. If he climbs the steps, let him stay on the bed for a while. You want him to learn “this is how I get on the bed when I want to lie down,” not “this is a trick I perform when they tell me.”
I’ve been wondering how to get my Crew to use a ramp. Of course, I haven’t tried. I’m sure they will pick it up in about 3 minutes.
As a Dachshund keeper, all I gotta say is you have a stronger constitution than me. Love 'em forever, but Jesus, do they STINK! I don’t even let them into the ‘house’ (they got a room off the laundry area for themselves). Can’t imagine them in the bed! Well, maybe. I imagine warm, moist, hairy and smelly. 
Glad to hear Mauser is still with us!
Dogs don’t stink unless something is wrong with them. Try a bath, and getting their teeth cleaned. Nor are they any moister than a human (less so because they don’t sweat) unless they’ve gotten themselves wet. Try a towel. Hairy and warm, yes.
Our dogs aren’t allowed on the bed. Technically.
