Stop a Dog Chewing Pet Stairs: 2026 Fix That Works
Dogs chew pet stairs for the same reasons they chew shoes and furniture legs: teething pain, boredom, or separation anxiety, and the fix combines a bitter-apple deterrent, short redirection training sessions, and stairs built from bite-resistant materials with fewer exposed edges. A wobbly or hollow step invites more gnawing than a solid one, so the stairs' construction matters almost as much as the training itself.
- Stop a dog from chewing pet stairs with bitter-apple spray, daily redirection training, and a sturdier step design.
- Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs use an enclosed storage basket that leaves fewer exposed edges for teething puppies to gnaw.
- Puppies chew stairs most during the 3 to 6 month teething window; adult dogs usually chew from boredom or anxiety.
- Supervised sessions of 5 to 10 minutes, repeated daily, retrain most dogs within 2 to 3 weeks.
Why this matters
A chewed step isn't just cosmetic — a corner gnawed down to splinters or a wobbly leg is a tripping hazard for the pet the stairs were bought to protect. Left alone, chewing on pet stairs tends to escalate rather than fade, especially in puppies still working through teething in 2026's typical 3 to 6 month range.
The good news: this is one of the more fixable chewing habits, because the trigger (a new object at floor or bed height) is easy to identify and easy to redirect. Most owners see real improvement once they train their dog to use pet stairs with short, consistent reps instead of leaving the dog to figure the stairs out alone.
How to stop a dog from chewing on pet stairs
Work through these five steps in order — most owners see a drop in chewing within the first week and full stop within 2 to 3 weeks.
- Apply a pet-safe bitter deterrent to the exposed edges, legs, and corners of the stairs. Reapply every few days until the taste association sticks.
- Redirect the instant you catch mid-chew. Swap in an appropriate chew toy rather than yelling — punishment after the fact doesn't connect to the behavior in a dog's mind.
- Run supervised training reps. Guide the dog up and down the stairs on leash, rewarding calm feet-on-the-step behavior with a treat at the top.
- Give the teething window somewhere else to go. A frozen washcloth or a durable chew toy during the 3 to 6 month teething period takes the pressure off the stairs as the only novel object in the room.
- Upgrade the stairs if they're hollow or wobbly. Instability itself invites more gnawing — a dog that can flex or rock a step with its jaw will keep testing it.
2Step vs 1Step: which resists chewing better
Both of Furmates' step-and-storage models close off most of the edges a teething dog would normally target, but they suit different dogs.
| Model | Steps | Storage | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage | 2 steps | Enclosed basket | Taller beds, medium and large dogs | Buy |
| 1Step Pet Stair with Storage | 1 step | Enclosed basket | Small dogs and cats, low-profile furniture | Buy |
Pros of the enclosed-storage design: fewer exposed corners than an open frame, doubles as hidden storage, low enough profile that most dogs adjust within days. Cons: like any wood-composite piece, sustained aggressive chewing will eventually mark the surface — no step material is fully chew-proof, and deterrent spray plus training still does the heavy lifting.
Why dogs chew pet stairs
- Teething — puppies in the 3 to 6 month range chew anything new to relieve gum discomfort.
- Separation anxiety — chewing the object nearest the bed or crate is a common stress outlet.
- Boredom — under-stimulated dogs target whatever's novel in the room, and a new step qualifies.
- Wobbly or hollow construction — a step that flexes under a bite invites repeat testing; heavy-duty pet stairs for large and heavy dogs hold up better against this than lightweight frames.
- Leftover scent — storage compartments that once held treats or food can carry a scent that keeps drawing a dog back to gnaw at the seams.
- Texture appeal — certain fabric wraps or plastic edges simply feel good on sore gums, regardless of age.
Is it normal for puppies to chew pet stairs?
Yes — puppies chewing pet stairs during the 3 to 6 month teething window is normal and usually resolves once permanent teeth finish coming in. It's worth intervening early anyway, since a habit formed at 4 months doesn't always disappear on its own once teething ends.
Will a bitter spray damage the stairs' finish?
A pet-safe bitter spray applied per label directions won't damage most step finishes, though it's smart to test a hidden corner first. Reapplication every few days matters more than the amount used in a single application.
How do I stop a dog from chewing wood pet stairs specifically?
Wood and wood-composite stairs respond to the same three-step combo — deterrent spray, redirection, and supervised training — but they show wear faster than fabric-wrapped steps once a dog does get a bite in. Checking for splinters after each chewing episode matters more with wood than with padded designs.
A step built with an enclosed base, like the Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage, gives a teething dog fewer loose edges to grab onto in the first place, which makes the training window shorter for most owners. Pairing that step design with a soft landing surface — some owners add a Pet Comfy Pad at the base — keeps a dog from associating the stairs with an uncomfortable landing that might make them fixate on the step edge instead. None of this replaces daily training reps, but the right step design shortens how long those reps take to work.
FAQ
How do I stop my dog from chewing pet stairs?
Stop a dog from chewing pet stairs with bitter-apple deterrent spray, short redirection training sessions, and a sturdier step design with fewer exposed edges. Most dogs show improvement within the first week and stop within 2 to 3 weeks of consistent training.
Why is my puppy chewing the pet stairs?
Puppies chew pet stairs mostly during the 3 to 6 month teething window, when sore gums push them to gnaw on anything new. Boredom and separation anxiety cause chewing in older dogs once teething is done.
Is bitter apple spray safe for pet stairs?
Yes, a pet-safe bitter deterrent spray applied per label instructions is safe for most stair finishes, though testing a hidden spot first is smart. Reapplying every few days keeps the taste association strong.
How long does it take to retrain a dog not to chew stairs?
Most dogs stop chewing pet stairs within 2 to 3 weeks of daily 5 to 10 minute training sessions combined with a deterrent spray. Puppies still teething may take longer since the urge to chew returns until adult teeth finish coming in.
Do enclosed pet stairs chew less than open-frame stairs?
Enclosed-storage stairs generally give a dog fewer exposed edges and legs to target than an open-frame design. No step material is fully chew-proof, so training still matters regardless of the frame style.
Can separation anxiety cause a dog to chew pet stairs?
Yes, separation anxiety is a common cause of chewing on whatever object sits nearest the bed or crate, including pet stairs. Addressing the anxiety directly, alongside deterrent spray and redirection, tends to work faster than deterrent spray alone.
What's the best pet stairs design for a dog that chews?
A step with an enclosed base and fewer exposed corners, like the Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage, gives a teething dog less to grab onto than an open-frame model. It still needs the same deterrent-and-training combo to fully stop the habit.
One last thing
Most owners treat chewing as a training problem and stop there, but the step's shape does half the work. A dog can't easily get a grip on a rounded, enclosed edge the way it can on a squared-off open frame — so before starting another round of training, check whether the stairs themselves are giving your dog something easy to bite into.