I can understand why Gully fears stairs.
From what you say, she was probably dragged
or forced down a stairway(with great pain)
in doing so & then forced to sleep down there
alone & away from her people.
Wouldn't rush her on this issue at all.Dogs
have very long memories !!!
I will say that some dogs just don't like
stairs for any reason.I've tried to get my
dog to go down to the basement with me
during tornado warnings, but he will NOT
do it.I tried once to lead him down on leash
but he resisted so much and seemed so scared
that I stopped.I've since decided on
another place to sit out bad weather within
the house.Point being; my dog has been with
me since he was 10 wks old & has never shown
any interest in going down to the basement.
He will however navigate the 4 steps up &
down the outside steps to come in or out of
the house.