People often send their dogs to trainers to work on being responsive to commands, but there's more to training than just having your dog sit or come toward you when you ask it to do so. Think about the things that your dog does daily around the home, and if there are certain behaviors or activities that are challenging, ask your training professional to devote some time to working on them. Going up and down the stairs in the home is something that some dogs can find difficult. This is especially true with wooden stairs, as their treads can be slick for a dog. Here are some reasons why stair training is important.

Reduced Risk Of Injury

Some dogs know that they have to use the stairs but are uncomfortable doing so. A common behavior is to run up the stairs as quickly as possible, perhaps to minimize the amount of time spent on this slippery surface. The problem with this habit is that a dog that runs on the stairs may slip and fall. If your dog has ever stumbled and fallen down even a few stairs, you'd understandably be worried about an injury. A dog trainer can teach your dog to take the stairs slowly and in a controlled manner, thus lowering the risk of an incident.

Less Hassle For You

Some dogs are so timid about using the stairs that they refuse to do so. Your dog may sit at the bottom of the stairs and whine, for example. For many pet owners, this is a challenging situation that leads them to carry their dog up and down the stairs at various times throughout the day. This is especially a hassle with a large dog. Instead of subjecting yourself to this frequent inconvenience, have your dog trainer work on stair training. Before long, your pet will be comfortable taking the stairs.

Less Chance Of A Collision

Another stair-related issue that some dog owners face is the dog charging up or down the stairs while people are ascending or descending. You might worry about your pet — particularly if it's large — crashing into your legs and potentially knocking you down the stairs. This can also be a concern if you have guests in your home. A good dog trainer will have no trouble teaching a dog to wait until any human using the stairs has reached the top or bottom before beginning its own ascent or descent. This change in behavior will make you a lot more comfortable on the stairs.

To learn more, contact a company that offers dog training services.