Stairs are hard for dogs.

The best way for a dog to cope with stairs is to go as fast as possible.
This is also the best way to get hurt on stairs!

The first thing to teach your dog is to go, "SSSSSSSteady". Before that it has to learn the , "Sit". Then the, "SSSSit".

Practice it at every oppotunity - going for dinner get the dog to sit three times. Next feed time get the dog to sit once, sssssssit once, and sit again before dinner is put down.
Walking on the lead sit, prefix by name if you need to, several times. Next day get three sits, a sssssssit, two sits.
Next day get a sit, a ssssssit, a sit, then when she gets a little way off proper position just say, "SSSSSSSS." As soon as she starts to slow down, expecting the "sit" command say, "SSSSSSSSSSS...teady." Then, "That's the gooood giiirrrllll." All very calm, all very quiet and carry on.
Next a sit, then a SSSSit, then a sit, then a sssssteady.

Mix and match until she responds to both the SSSS and the SSSSteady by slowing down slighty. As soon as she atarts to listen to these walk by as many stairways as you can - she will have something else to think about. Time your SSSSSSits to happen at the foot of stairs. After a few of these make sure that she has to put a foot on the bottom stair after a sit to follow you as you change direction ( go back the way you just came) - do not give her the option to avoid this ( make sure you are very tight to the bottom step and the lead is short without putting pressure on her when she is sitting). Praise for the correct sit and then move calmly and ignore tension on the lead. Stay relaxed and as soon as she is over the step command a sit and praise.

Then, after a few times, it is up to you to practice kerbs. Down and up on sidewalks (see how American I talk!!!) she must sit. As soon as you go to put your leading foot up or down and she gets up give the, "SSSSteady." Again, the key is consistant information to the dog - every time you get to a down step you say, "SSSSSteady" and every time you get to an up step you say, "SSSSSteady."

Next you have to find a short two or three step series to practice on with the same principle in mind. A sit, a sssssteady and walk very slowly, one step at a time, repeating the ssssssteady at each step.

Once she gets over the fright of two or three steps it is a short hop to a flight of stairs...as long as the same signals are given and you remain clam and give her the confidence.

One of the most common problems in puppies that are going to be trained as guide dogs is rushing at or fear of stairs. It is a long term and time consuming thing to over come but give it a week of intense focus and you will never look back - I promise!!!!