Should Small Dogs Use Dog Stairs? A Guide for Small Dogs, Puppies, and Seniors

Small dogs want to be where you are, and that is usually up on the sofa or the bed.

Yes, many small dogs benefit from dog stairs. A jump onto a bed or sofa is a big leap for a short-legged dog, and they make it many times a day. Stairs scaled to a small dog's stride turn that leap into a few easy steps, which is why they suit toy breeds, short-legged breeds, puppies, and senior small dogs alike. The right set has a low step rise, a stable base, and a top step that sits one step below the furniture, so your dog takes a final natural step up.

Key Takeaways

• Small dogs jump proportionally higher. A standard bed or sofa can be several times a small dog's height at the shoulder.
• Step rise matters most. Small dogs use stairs with a low rise; tall steps get skipped.
• Leave the last step up to the bed. The top step should sit one step below the furniture, never level with it.
• Puppies use the same stairs. There is no separate puppy model; small-dog stairs serve both.
• Introduce them gradually with treats and praise, training going up and coming down separately.

Do small dogs need dog stairs?

Small dogs often rely on jumping to reach furniture. Because of their size, the relative height of a bed or sofa is far greater for them than for a large dog, and they may make that jump many times a day. According to the American Kennel Club, smaller breeds, particularly those with shorter legs, can benefit from stairs when reaching elevated surfaces rather than relying on repeated jumping alone. Pet health resources such as PetMD also note that repeated jumping from higher surfaces can add up over time, even in active dogs.

Stairs are most often used for:

• short-legged breeds such as Dachshunds, Corgis, and French Bulldogs
• toy breeds such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers
• puppies who are still growing into their coordination
• senior small dogs, or those with mobility considerations

What makes dog stairs work for a small dog?

When small dogs avoid stairs, the reason is usually the design, not the idea. If the steps feel too tall, unstable, or slippery underfoot, a dog will keep jumping. Stairs that work for small dogs:

• have a low step rise matched to a short stride
• stay put on the floor through repeated use
• offer a wide, stable step surface with good footing
• support a natural, step-by-step movement pattern

Our Mini Companion Stairs® are built for exactly this: a lower step rise than our full-size Companion Stairs®, a wide step, and high-density CertiPUR-US® certified foam under an upholstery-grade micro suede cover that unzips for cold-water machine washing and line drying.

Which Mini Companion Stairs® size fits?

Both come in Stone, Camel, Chocolate, and Charcoal. To choose, measure the height of the bed or sofa your dog wants to reach, then pick the stairs whose top step sits one step below that surface. Your dog takes the last natural step up onto the furniture; the stairs are not meant to come level with it.

Can puppies use dog stairs?

Yes. Puppies use the same small-dog stairs; there is no separate puppy model. According to Pet Spruce, around 12 weeks is a good time to start teaching a puppy to use stairs, once they are steady on level ground. Keep early sessions short and supervised. Browse puppy stairs for beds in our stairs collection.

Are dog stairs good for senior small dogs?

Many senior small dogs do well with stairs, because a low, consistent step asks less of them than a jump does. Look for a low rise, a wide step, and a surface that does not shift. If your dog has a specific mobility or orthopedic condition, ask your veterinarian whether stairs or a gentle ramp suits them better.

Are dog stairs or ramps better for small dogs?

Both can work, depending on the dog. Stairs give defined, step-by-step movement in a compact footprint, and many small dogs take to them quickly because stepping comes naturally. A ramp gives a continuous incline, which some long-bodied dogs, or dogs your veterinarian has advised to avoid steps, may prefer. Our Companion Ramp® is a gently inclined ramp made for small dogs only. To compare the two in detail, read Dog Stairs vs. Dog Ramps.

How do you train a small dog to use stairs?

Training should be gradual and positive.

1. Start with one step. Lure your dog onto the bottom step with a treat, and reward them there.
2. Build one step at a time. Add the next step only when the last one is easy.
3. Train up and down separately. Coming down is often harder than going up, so practice it on its own.
4. Make it the only way up. Gently redirect jumps to the stairs, and praise every success.

Positive reinforcement methods, widely recommended by training resources such as Wag, help dogs build confidence on stairs.

How do you set up dog stairs so they get used?

• Place the stairs snugly against the furniture so they do not slide away.
• Choose a height that leaves the last step up to the bed or sofa.
• Put them where your dog already tries to jump, so the habit transfers.
• Use them every time; consistency builds the routine.

Stairs are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. They give a small dog a more controlled way to move between levels.

If your dog is headed for an especially tall bed, our guide to dog steps for high beds explains how to measure total stair height.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do small dogs really need stairs or steps?

Many small dogs benefit from stairs, especially if they reach beds or sofas many times a day. Stairs replace repeated jumping with a few controlled steps scaled to a short stride.

What should I look for in dog stairs for a small dog?

A low step rise, a wide and stable step, good footing, and a height that leaves the last step up to the furniture. A removable, washable cover keeps them easy to live with.

Can puppies use dog stairs?

Yes. Puppies use the same small-dog stairs; there is no separate puppy model. Many trainers suggest starting around 12 weeks with short, supervised sessions.

How tall should dog stairs be for a bed or sofa?

Measure the furniture, then choose stairs whose top step sits one step below it, so your dog takes a final natural step up. The stairs are not meant to come level with the bed.

Are mini dog stairs better than ramps?

Many small dogs prefer stairs because stepping comes naturally and the footprint is compact. A gentle ramp can suit some long-bodied dogs or dogs your veterinarian has advised to avoid steps.

Are dog stairs good for older small dogs?

Many senior small dogs do well with a low, consistent step that asks less of them than a jump. If your dog has a specific mobility condition, ask your veterinarian which option suits them.

How do I get my small dog to use dog stairs?

Start with one step and a treat, add steps one at a time, practice going down separately from going up, and gently redirect jumps to the stairs until using them becomes the routine.

Because comfort is not only where a companion rests, but how they get there.