Hey jim What we did with our golden was took him to the top of the steps and used his favorite toy.We just put it in a few feet and walk down the steps with him,out to the toy and back up the steps. You know how smart they are and just a couple of times and they got it. One nice thing about teaching them to use the steps is when the pool is under shock treatment and I don't want dozer in the pool we just put a lounge chair in front of the steps. He gets so confused it's a riot!!!! steve