Should I block off the stairs for a new puppy?

A puppy's coordination and confidence with height develop gradually, and a tumble down even a short flight can cause injury in a small, still growing body. Large and giant breed puppies also benefit from limited stair use early on to protect developing joints.

Once a puppy shows steady, confident movement on flat ground, usually somewhere around 12 to 16 weeks, short supervised stair sessions can begin, gradually building up rather than allowing free access all at once.

Begin with just two or three steps at the bottom of the staircase, with you positioned a step below to catch or steady the puppy if needed, rather than starting at the top where a stumble has further to fall. Let the puppy set the pace, going up and down that small section repeatedly before adding more steps.

Carpet or a textured stair runner gives noticeably more grip than bare wood or tile, so if your stairs are uncarpeted, consider temporary non slip strips on each step while the puppy is building confidence, since a slip on a hard surface is more likely to cause a fall than a hesitant but steady climb.

Large and giant breed puppies in particular benefit from staying off full stair runs, not just supervised short sections, until closer to 6 months, since repeated impact on still forming joints during the fastest growth period is a genuine factor in some breeds' later joint health, alongside genetics and diet.