Hi there
Can you help.

My 13 wk old has started attemping the garden stairs (which lead back to kitchen) - he's supervised when he climbs and does it perfectly. What i am worried about is the fact that i know the bones are not fully developed and still soft - is this going to be damaging in any way - should i still be lifting him everywhere  - or should i let him get on with it?
please help
thanks!

NO,NO,NO,BEACUSE YOU COULD DAMAGE THE BONE DEVLOPMENT.

Mine walks up and down the two steps in and out of the house, there is no choice. But a lot of steps would not be a good idea, think on balance down is worse than up.

I have a back doorstep which is too high for young pups, so breeze blocks laid flat make a second step, so each is only about 4 ionches high.  If you have several steps or a flight might it be possible to make a ramp, as you will soon find him to heavy to lift all the time if he is of medium to large size.

Depends on what breed you have & how fit it is. Damage from steps is more usually from excessive use, eg, encouraging a puppy to run up & down stairs (indoors). Down is worse than up, but it's usually show people who worry about this, because fronts can be spoilt - it is used as a good excuse sometimes tho'. Funny how few dogs are born with bad construction :D. We have 35 steps from our house to our field, my puppies make their own way up there as soon as they are big enough! The most danger comes from them tumbling all the way down, so they are not allowed to mix with the adults on the way up or down.
Moderation in exercise for puppies is a good maxim, but you've got a puppy, not an egg & if you try to carry it everywhere it'll never develop any muscles - but you will!

My 6 month old pup is not allowed up or down our main stairs. We have a couple of very small steps in the garden and she is fine with them. We personally wouldn't allow her because we want to show her. However, our first dog fell down five steps when she was a pup and damaged her leg, she still has stiffness in it now and again. It only takes one fall when their little and it can damage them. I also know what my pups like, she does everything at speed and shes so clumsy. I know you can't wrap them up in cotton wool but i think it pays to be careful.
I also use a baby gate on the bottom of our stairs incase she tries to sneak up there.