How to Teach Your Dog to Climb Using The ‘Climb Command’.

Teaching your dog ‘commands’ is about using verbal cues and/or hand signals to get your clever dog to do something on request, without hesitation or fear. In other words, your dog associates a word with an action. What words you ultimately choose are entirely up to you. While there are some words used universally, some are only used for particular breeds for specific reasons, and some may have variations based on a club or the trainers preference.
When asking your dog to ascend an incline, stairs or steps, I’ll be using the command ‘Climb’, but this can be substituted with ‘Up’ for example. The problem I have with that is, what to say when you want your dog to descend? ‘Down’? That’s already been used though.
This is one of the reasons ‘climb’ works and can be expanded to ‘Climb Up’ and ‘Climb Down’ depending on what way you’d like your dog to go.

Climbing for dogs is quite a natural and instinctive action and dogs quickly learn how to get up steps higher than ground level areas by themselves if they’re not too high at an early age. Dogs will comfortably climb up and down mounds and rocky areas as part of exploration, so it’s not something that you’ll need to spend a lot of time on, except for making sure your dog understands when climbing slippery wooden stair steps, care needs to be taken.

This obedience training article for dogs will teach you how to train your dog to climb up and down ramps, steps and stairs using the ‘Climb Command‘ with 2 variations depending on whether you’re after ascent or decent, so ‘Climb-Up’ and ‘Climb-Down’ will be taught by implementing positive reinforcement training techniques.

The following list is what I recommend you have handy for this dog training command session:

• Small sized, soft treats that are very tasty
• Clicker
• Collar
• Training Leash, 5-10 Metres (16-32 Foot)
• Small quiet space with no distractions
• Assorted ramps or plank or wood, steps and step stools

If you don’t have, or prefer not to use a ‘clicker’, you can substitute it by using the word ‘yes’.

Dog training essentials available from Ezydog Australia

If you’re not planning to take your dog through ‘agility training’ programs, there’s no need to purchase ramps or adjustable ramps from a pet shop or pet suppliers, but if that’s something you would like to do, either for competition, for the training skills, have a heavy dog you can’t lift and he/she can’t jump into your car, or an aged dog with hip issues, then I would suggest you do invest in these because you’ll get lots of use out of them.

Steps to Teaching the ‘Climb Command’

The steps (pun intended) are the same for ramps and steps, so pick whichever one you have, inside or out in your garden, or find some concrete steps in a public place to commence your training.
Start at the bottom of the steps with your dog sitting and staying while you place a treat on every step. For a ramp, place treats a paw-step apart.

Next, while standing next to your pooch, say ‘Climb Up’ and take a step up, if they’re stairs, or forward by the side of the ramp if that’s what you’re using.
With each step your dog takes, ‘mark’ the action, click or say ‘Yes’ and praise, then take another step up, or forward while saying ‘Climb Up’. Keep this going until you run out of stairs, or your dog is at the top of the ramp. Once there, reward with more treats, praise and hugs.

To get back down, turn around and repeat the process using ‘Climb Down’ instead. Take it slow, one step at a time, doling out praise with each step until your dog has reached the bottom.

Lastly, repeat the process, but this time have treats on every second step, then on every third step until you’re not using treats. In the case of stairs, you can mix this up by walking first, commanding your dog to ‘Climb Up’ behind you, then turn around at the top and go back down slowly, one step at a time using ‘Climb Down’.

Teaching and practicing a slow speed is an important aspect, to avoid falls, especially for clumsy puppies.

Summary of How To Teach Your Dog The ‘Climb Command’

Consistency, practice and patience are the keys with all dog training. It’s also important not to keep repeating the command. You should aim to say it once to have your four-legged friend take a step up or step down, and to continue until all the way up or down.

Some dogs that aren’t overly motivated by food treats (rare) will almost certainly take to cooked chicken pieces. However, I would strongly suggest finding a commercial option that works because apart from the expense, chicken is messy and doesn’t last very long out of a sealed container in the fridge. There are many brands and flavours to choose from these days, and many are made with healthy natural ingredients. I would also suggest using and rotating several different types, so your dog doesn’t become used to just one.

As I mentioned above, purchasing commercial dog ramps may be useful if you’re wanting to practice or pursue agility training, have a large heavy dog, or an older dog with hip ailments.
Many of the larger pet shops, which you can find listed on Pet Directory will have these in stock.

Having trouble, or have a question about getting your dog to climb up or down on steps or a ramp using the ‘Climb Command’?
Leave a comment for ‘Bear’ below and he’ll be happy to answer it for you, especially if you get his attention by using his name.

We at PetsBook also recommend getting out with your dog and join a training course.
Pet Directory has many dog training clubs listed near you with experienced and accredited dog trainers, ready to help you with dog obedience and dog command training.

» List of Dog Training Commands

Bear

Hi, I’m Bear, the Training Manager at PetsBook. With over 20 years experience using positive reinforcement dog training techniques, I’m proud to have the opportunity to help you develop a stronger bond with your fur baby, by teaching you useful commands with obedience training.